Congressman Wesley Hunt has for several months vied for a role for Elon Musk’s The Boring Company in constructing a significant flood management project in Houston. The Boring Co. has proposed to create tunnels of a considerably smaller size than those most studies have implied would be necessary in order to adequately address the recurrent flooding problems in the region.
Recently, county officials have explored the feasibility of implementing smaller tunnels in their flood prevention plans, though they have yet to reach a definitive conclusion on the design, or on the engagement of a contractor.
The severe flooding that Houston suffered from Hurricane Harvey in 2017 was disastrous with substantial loss of life, it resulted in many homes being submerged in water, leaving the locals desperate for a resolution.
Since that disaster, local flood experts have been studying the feasibility of a multibillion-dollar tunnel system throughout Harris County, where Houston resides. The focus of these studies has been deliberating on pipelines measuring 30 to 40 feet in diameter to carry out the task of transporting vast quantities of water to the Gulf in the aftermath of a storm.
Now Elon Musk seeks involvement in the ambitious project. Reports have emerged revealing that the billionaire entrepreneur, in alliance with local Representative Wesley Hunt, has been tirelessly urging state and local authorities to engage Musk’s Boring Co. to construct two narrower, 12-foot tunnels encompassing a significant watershed.
This could possibly present a more affordable albeit possibly less effective solution to the area’s longstanding flooding issues according to expert opinion.
Hunt’s team has estimated that the Boring project would potentially require an investment of $760 million, with 15% of the cost being demanded upfront from state and local funds.
Within a span of two months following these proposals, the Harris County Commissioners Court unanimously agreed to evaluate a pilot program that includes considering smaller tunnels, whose blueprints are akin to what The Boring Company had suggested.
Both Musk and Hunt could potentially benefit should The Boring Co. secure any portion of the project contract. It is rumored that Hunt may challenge U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican Senate primary next year. Furthermore, The Boring Co. would record a significant win if assigned such a task, considering it has yet to finalize a major public project in Texas and has faced critique for its undertakings elsewhere.
The discussions regarding the proposition by The Boring Company have primarily taken place behind closed doors. Hunt made a passing reference to the project during a town hall meeting in Houston in February. Thereafter, he declined to provide answers to queries regarding when Musk persuaded him to advocate for the project and the reasons that cemented his support.
Attempts to gain insights from Musk and representatives at Boring were unsuccessful. The selection of Musk and his company for the job raises questions among some local officials and experts. The Boring Company has so far primarily engaged in the construction of transport tunnels, as opposed to flood mitigation.
In reaction to inquiries from the press, both state and local officials have clarified that no public funds have been allocated to The Boring Co. for the project. Additionally, county authorities reported that they have not settled on a contractor for the tunnels and assured that any process to select one would adhere to standard procurement procedures.
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