THE PEDESTRIAN "TUNNELS"
Where other cities have restricted automobile traffic in some central business districts in order to give pedestrians easy access to facilities, Houston uses a system of privately constructed underground access ways for pedestrians' comfort. Dubbed by Houstonians "the Tunnels," the brightly lighted subterranean walkway system connect clusters of buildings in the downtown area as well as in other parts of town, containing shops and restaurants and providing easy access to others. The main "tunnel" system totals approximately 2.8 miles in length and connects about 50 buildings and parking facilities. The largest continuous section interconnects 15 major office buildings, retail establishments, hotels and parking facilities in the heart of downtown Houston.
City Hall and the Oscar Holcombe Civic Center buildings are linked together
in a separate tunnel system. Starting from Jones Hall to the Nina Vance Alley
Theater, it makes it possible for a pedestrian to walk to City Hall, City Hall Annex, the
Music Hall, Sam Houston Coliseum, Albert Thomas Convention Center and the Tranquility
underground garage without being exposed to the weather. Two separate tunnel systems
serve the county buildings in the city. The first one links the Criminal Courts
Building with the Family Law Center. The other connects the County Administration
building with other county facilities.
