Are there tunnels under downtown Houston?
District. DOWNTOWN’S “underground” is a system of tunnels 20 feet below Houston’s downtown streets and more than 6 miles long. Having started out years ago as a tunnel between two downtown movie theaters, today it includes restaurants and service retail and connects 95 city blocks.
How do you get to the downtown tunnel in Houston?
Two entrances offer the most direct access to the tunnels. The most widely known is located at the corner of McKinney and Main near the Main Street Square rail stop. The Wells Fargo Plaza near Louisiana Street also offers direct access. Another easier way to enter is in Enterprise Plaza on Dallas Street.
Why are there tunnels under Houston?
The tunnels were originally built in the 1930s and expanded in the 50s and 60s. They provide a quick way for the workers of Downtown Houston to get to work without having to step foot in the hot, Texas sun.
Are Houston tunnels open on weekends?
The Tunnels are open during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 6am to 6:30pm. It is closed at night, on weekends, and national holidays. Those looking for street access should take note that only Wells Fargo Plaza and the McKinney garage on Main offer direct access to the Tunnel.
Do Houston tunnels flood?
The tunnels, being underground, are prone to flooding. They serve as channels for floodwater, allowing it to move through the tunnels from flooded buildings to unflooded buildings, flooding buildings that would not have been flooded otherwise.
How long is the Houston tunnel system?
approximately six miles
The Houston tunnel system is a network of subterranean, climate-controlled, pedestrian walkways that links 95 full city blocks 20 feet (6 m) below Houston’s downtown streets. It is approximately six miles (9.7 km) long.
Is the Washburn Tunnel underwater?
The Washburn Tunnel is a two-lane underwater roadway connecting Galena Park and Pasadena. Named after Harris County Auditor Harry L. Washburn, the tunnel opened in 1950. It is the south’s largest and first toll-free vehicular tunnel.
Did Houston tunnels flood?
The tunnel was completed in 1997, allowing the city to divert flood water from inundating downtown San Antonio by diverting it into a three-mile-long tunnel underneath the city. Thirty years ago on Ash Wednesday, a storm dumped 10 inches of rain on Houston in just six hours, causing widespread flooding.