The Boring Company, led by Elon Musk, announced on Mar. 25 that it has chosen a site in South Dallas to study the feasibility of building a mile-long underground tunnel connecting the University Hills development with local transit infrastructure.
The selection highlights ongoing efforts to improve transportation options in high-growth areas and could influence how private infrastructure integrates with public transit. The proposed tunnel would link the $1 billion, 270-acre University Hills mixed-use project, which is currently under construction, to the University of North Texas at Dallas.
According to The Texas Tribune, this South Dallas proposal was one of three winners out of nearly 500 submissions in a nationwide contest organized by The Boring Company. As part of its initiative, the company will conduct preliminary assessments and coordinate with local partners about initial boring operations. If deemed feasible, The Boring Company plans to fund construction for each winning submission.
Dallas-based Hoque Global is developing University Hills but did not immediately comment on being selected. Construction began last May near I-20 and Lancaster Road as wooded land was cleared for new development. The planned tunnel would connect directly with a Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) station adjacent to the university campus.
Other winning projects include sites in Baltimore and New Orleans if found feasible; meanwhile, a separate San Antonio tunnel proposal remains under review. In Las Vegas—where most of The Boring Company’s current public transport tunnels are located—the city has approved approximately 68 miles of tunnels transporting passengers via Tesla vehicles across multiple stations.
The news comes amid financial uncertainty for DART as several area municipalities plan votes on whether to withdraw from the agency due to concerns over low ridership and funding costs—a situation that may open opportunities for private transit solutions like those proposed by Musk’s company.
