Plans for Secret Tunnel Under Downtown Revealed!

Ok, not so much "secret" as "we hadn't heard about it yet." Also, "revealed" isn't really accurate.

Anyway, the city and Travis County are talking again about building a tunnel under Waller Creek. This proposal was last seriously considered in 2003 and has been kicking around since a bond proposal for its funding passed in 1998.

Flooding is a big problem and now, with the global warming, these hundred-year floods are happening, like, a lot. Plus, tunnels are awesome and this part of downtown could certainly use some revitalization. That giant highway nearby has kind of hurt property values (speaking of tunnels, let's put that monstrosity underground). The current banks of Waller Creek are one of the most freaky/deserted parts of town. That said, there are a lot of great old stone bridges and walls down there and it would really be a shame if those get lost in the "revitalization."

*Image from City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department*