---
title: "Panama’s 'Canal Underline' Misses Out in The Boring Company Tunnel Challenge"
date: 2026-03-25
author: ""
url: https://panamadaily.news/2026/03/25/panama-canal-underline-boring-challenge/
categories:
  - "Business"
  - "News"
  - "Politics"
tags:
  - "Canal Underline"
  - "Mayer Mizrachi"
  - "Panama Canal"
  - "The Boring Company"
  - "urban mobility"
---

# Panama’s 'Canal Underline' Misses Out in The Boring Company Tunnel Challenge

## What Happened

The Boring Company announced the winners of its “Tunnel Vision Challenge” and will not finance the pedestrian and bicycle tunnel under the Panama Canal proposed by the Municipality of Panama. The Panamanian plan, known as the “Canal Underline,” was not among the three projects selected to receive company support and move to technical and feasibility analysis.

## Background

The Canal Underline was launched during Mayor Mayer Mizrachi’s administration as an idea to improve urban mobility by connecting strategic points of Panama City through a dedicated pedestrian and bicycle tunnel beneath the Panama Canal. The initiative stood out in an international competition: it advanced to the 16 finalists stage out of 487 proposals submitted worldwide, but ultimately was not chosen as one of the winners.

## Selection Results

The three projects selected by The Boring Company are Nola Loop in New Orleans, Ravens Loop in Baltimore and University Hills Loop in Dallas. The company — which initially indicated it would select a single project for full funding — decided instead to move forward with three initiatives. For the winning projects, The Boring Company said it will begin meetings with regulators, community leaders and business stakeholders, and will carry out studies to assess technical and regulatory feasibility.

## Mayor’s Response

Mayor Mayer Mizrachi posted on Twitter acknowledging the announcement but indicating continued interest from The Boring Company outside the competition. He wrote: “Panama wasn’t selected, but we’ve already received an email stating that they still want to pursue the Panama Canal Underline project outside of the competition. They will send us the roadmap with details of how we will move forward in the coming weeks.”

## What This Means

Although the project will not receive financing through the competition, Panama’s advanced showing in the contest reflects local interest in innovative urban mobility solutions. The mayor’s statement suggests the possibility of further dialogue with The Boring Company, but no funding, timeline or formal agreement has been announced. The outcome leaves municipal planners and residents awaiting more detailed information — the promised “roadmap” — to understand whether the Canal Underline could proceed through alternative arrangements, private partnerships, or future funding opportunities.

For now, the Canal Underline remains a proposed concept with potential local support but without the competition’s direct financial backing. The municipality will likely need to consider next steps to keep the project viable, including feasibility studies, regulatory coordination and community engagement if discussions with The Boring Company continue.