The flood control district in the Houston area is considering a proposal to build massive underground tunnels to drain floodwaters from bayous across the county.
Harris County Flood Control District officials said the idea could be a bold answer following Hurricane Harvey to dramatically improve Houston’s defenses against deadly floods.
The Houston Chronicle reports that the project could cost several billion dollars and take several years to complete. It would build a network of deep tunnels to carry water from several of Houston’s waterways, so that they’d be able to keep a 100-year storm event within their banks.
Republican Rep. John Culberson of Houston said this project could be partially funded by Federal Emergency Management Agency hazard mitigation grants.
Commissioners will vote Tuesday, March 27, on whether to pursue a feasibility study to assess the tunnel proposal.