Tunneling
The Woodlands, Texas, makes bid for Musk-backed tunnel project
The Woodlands Township in Texas has approved submission of a proposal to The Boring Company’s Tunnel Vision Challenge that could bring an underground transportation tunnel to Town Center at no cost to the Township.
Nevada lawmakers examine OSHA violations tied to Musk’s Vegas tunnel project
Nevada lawmakers are examining OSHA and environmental safety violations tied to The Boring Company’s Las Vegas tunnel project, raising concerns about regulatory oversight and enforcement delays.
Nashville airport signs deal with The Boring Company for underground transit loop
The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority has signed a letter of intent with The Boring Company to explore development of an underground transit loop connecting Nashville International Airport to key city destinations.
Portland advances Bull Run raw water tunnel and pipeline construction
Portland’s Bull Run Filtration Project is advancing with tunnel excavation and more than 6,000 feet of new underground pipeline installed as the city works toward a 2027 regulatory compliance deadline.
Another $77 million released for Gateway tunnel as funding battle continues
The federal government has released another $77 million in previously frozen funding for the $16-billion Gateway Hudson River rail tunnel project, bringing total restored funds to $107 million as legal and political disputes over the critical infrastructure continue.
Amtrak advances construction on key D.C.–New Jersey rail tunnel replacement
Amtrak has awarded major construction contracts for the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program in Baltimore, advancing the two-mile Frederick Douglass Tunnel and modernization of 10 miles of Northeast Corridor rail infrastructure.
Court unlocks funding for Gateway tunnel as first $30 million released
Federal funding has begun flowing again to the $16-billion Gateway Hudson River tunnel project after a court ordered the release of frozen funds, with an initial $30 million payment marking the first step toward restarting construction.
Elon Musk’s ‘Tesla tunnel’ concept eyed for Universal Orlando expansion corridor
Elon Musk’s Boring Company has been selected to advance plans for a proposed underground transit loop connecting Universal Orlando’s existing parks with the upcoming Epic Universe, a project aimed at easing congestion and moving visitors below the region’s busiest tourism corridor.
Judge extends deadline in federal funding battle over Gateway tunnel construction
A federal judge has given the U.S. government more time to release billions in funding for the Hudson River Gateway tunnel project, as officials warn construction could halt and jobs be lost if financing for the critical interstate rail tunnel remains frozen.
China deploys AI-powered ‘smart brain’ system for tunnel boring machines
China has developed an AI-powered “smart brain” system for tunnel boring machines that predicts geological risks and adjusts excavation settings in real time, potentially reshaping underground infrastructure construction.
$100-million Utah water pipeline relocation project strengthens earthquake resilience
Utah crews are drilling a 1,000-ft mountain tunnel and installing seismic-resilient pipeline segments to reroute a critical aqueduct serving 1.6 million residents and reduce earthquake and landslide risk along the Wasatch Front.
Gateway sues federal government as Hudson Tunnel funding freeze threatens construction halt
The Gateway Development Commission has filed suit against the federal government, warning that withheld funding could force a halt to construction on the Hudson Tunnel Project — putting thousands of jobs and one of North America’s largest active tunneling programs at risk.
Tampa Bay Water begins tunneling on $500 million, 26-mile Hillsborough pipeline
Tampa Bay Water has begun tunneling work on a 26-mile underground pipeline designed to deliver 65 million gallons per day to southern Hillsborough County, with full completion expected by 2028.
LA Metro advances fully underground rail option for Sepulveda Transit Corridor
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority has approved a fully underground heavy-rail option for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor, advancing design and environmental review for one of Southern California’s largest tunneling and transit infrastructure projects.
NUCA urges release of Hudson Tunnel funding amid federal pause
NUCA and its New Jersey chapter are calling on the Trump administration to release approved funding for the $16-billion Hudson Tunnel project, warning that delays could halt construction, disrupt jobs, and increase costs for taxpayers.
Gateway Tunnel construction faces shutdown next week as Trump withholds federal funding
The Gateway Development Commission said an immediate pause would result in roughly 1,000 job losses, while a longer shutdown could endanger more than 95,000 jobs and nearly $20 billion in economic activity.
Dallas Mill Creek Tunnel project faces multi-year delays
Dallas’ massive Mill Creek drainage tunnel—designed to reduce flooding across a third of the city—is now facing a four-to-five-year delay as construction productivity, supply chain issues, and tunneling challenges push completion into 2029. City officials say work remains within budget as crews continue lining the 5-mile underground tunnel.
DC Water lowers TBM “Mary” cutterhead for Potomac River Tunnel construction
DC Water has lowered the 21-ft-diameter cutterhead for tunnel boring machine Mary, marking a major construction milestone for the Potomac River Tunnel. The 2.4-mile underground tunnel will store combined sewer overflows and is a key component of DC Water’s Clean Rivers Project to reduce pollution in the Potomac River.
OSHA forms safety partnership for Manchester, N.H. stormwater tunnel project
OSHA has entered a strategic partnership with the Methuen Obayashi Joint Venture to strengthen worker safety during construction of Manchester’s Cemetery Brook Drain Tunnel, focusing on confined-space risks, hazardous gases, excavation safety and leadership-driven hazard prevention.
Lake Travis water tunnels advance $225 million regional supply system in Central Texas
The Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority has completed underground construction on a $225 million water delivery system, including twin tunnels beneath Lake Travis designed to improve drought resilience and expand regional water capacity for Cedar Park, Leander and Round Rock.
Florida water pipeline uses curved steel casing in microtunneling first
A Florida water transmission project is using curved steel casing to navigate constrained underground corridors without adding shafts. The approach offers a new option for microtunneling in dense utility environments where straight-line alignments are difficult.
Microtunneling drives progress on Calgary’s TransCanada sanitary trunk
Calgary’s TransCanada Sanitary Trunk project continues to advance, with microtunneling driving pipe installation on the 5.3-mile wastewater capacity expansion through 2026.
Appeals court blocks California’s bond plan for Delta water tunnel
A California appeals court ruled the state lacks authority to issue bonds for the Delta Conveyance Project, forcing officials to reconsider how the water tunnel will be financed.
New 4,000-foot tunnel to boost Detroit sewer capacity, prevent flooding
The Great Lakes Water Authority has begun construction on an $87 million stormwater diversion tunnel in southwest Detroit, designed to reduce sewage backups, basement flooding, and improve water quality along the Rouge River. The 4,000-foot tunnel will redirect excess wet-weather flows to an existing retention and treatment basin, boosting system resilience ahead of expected completion in 2028.
First tunnel boring machines complete testing for Hudson Tunnel Project
Manufacturing and testing are complete for the first two tunnel boring machines for the Hudson Tunnel Project. The massive TBMs are now being shipped to New Jersey for on-site assembly, marking a major milestone as tunneling is set to begin in 2026.
Judge rejects contractor's bid to halt Gateway Tunnel procurement
A federal judge has cleared the Gateway Development Commission to continue bidding on a key viaduct contract for the Hudson Tunnel Project, rejecting a contractor’s claim that a project labor agreement unfairly barred competition. The ruling keeps procurement on schedule for one of the corridor’s most critical infrastructure components.
Texas awards $70 million to rebuild Irving’s aging drainage channel, cut flood risk
Irving, Texas, secured $70 million in state funding to overhaul its largest and oldest drainage channel, a multi-phase flood control project expected to protect more than 240 homes and modernize key water and sewer infrastructure by 2030.
Amtrak hits six-month milestone in East River Tunnel rebuild
Amtrak has reached a major milestone in its multi-year rebuild of the East River Tunnels, completing six months of work on the first tube while keeping Amtrak and LIRR service operating on schedule. The modernization includes structural reconstruction, new safety systems, and upgraded communications ahead of a 2026 reopening.
Metro Council resolution challenges Boring Co. tunnel proposal over subsurface, labor issues
A proposed tunnel linking downtown Nashville to the airport is drawing formal opposition from Metro Council members, who cite unanswered safety, geological and labor questions. While the measure cannot stop the project, it adds political pressure and calls for full public disclosure before any use of public land.
Blackwater CSO tunnel hits midpoint as Lynchburg pushes toward 98% overflow reduction
Lynchburg’s Blackwater CSO Tunnel has reached the halfway mark, keeping the city on track for major reductions in combined sewer overflows and improved waterway protection by 2027.
- Inside Sempra’s 72-mile pipeline with 18 major trenchless crossings
- Trump vetoes bill to finish $1.3 billion Colorado water pipeline
- PHMSA warns of heat risks in aging plastic gas distribution pipelines following deadly Pennsylvania explosion
- Infrastructure failure releases 100,000 gallons of wastewater in Houston; repairs ongoing
- OSHA seeks $1.2 million fine after fatal trench collapse in Connecticut
- Worm-like robot burrows underground to cut power line installation costs
- First tunnel boring machines complete testing for Hudson Tunnel Project
- Infrastructure failure releases 100,000 gallons of wastewater in Houston; repairs ongoing
- Construction jobs stumble into 2026 after weak year
- NWPX grows water infrastructure portfolio with Colorado precast facility