Into the labyrinth: Shedding light on the university's utility tunnels

By Kendall Sternberg, University Communications
Feb. 24, 2026
A narrow, dimly lit tunnel with large pipes running along both walls. Overhead lights create a moody atmosphere, leading to a dark vanishing point.

6 1/2 miles of tunnels weave their way underneath the university, delivering the utilities that make main campus run.

Kendall Sternberg/University Communications

Beneath the brick walkways and busy courtyards on campus lies a hidden network that keeps classrooms warm in January and cool in July. With parts of the system dating back nearly a century, the university's utility tunnels carry the steam and chilled water that make campus life comfortable year-round. 

The tunnels rely on a tight-knit team that walks, welds and monitors the system below the university's paths and buildings. 

While the tunnels may spark curiosity, they are heavily secured and accessible only to authorized personnel for safety reasons.

Take a tour of the tunnel system by viewing the gallery below.

Industrial scene with large, metallic storage tanks aligned outside a modern building under a clear blue sky. Sunlight and shadows create a calm atmosphere.
A person in a jacket and cap walks through a dimly lit, narrow tunnel lined with large pipes, conveying a sense of exploration and mystery.
Six industrial gauges with red circles and pipes arranged in two rows on a control panel. Labels and wiring add a technical, mechanical feel.
Narrow utility tunnel with multiple pipes and cables along the walls and ceiling. A red panel box is centered at the end. Dimly lit, industrial setting.
A man with a long beard and hat inspects a large pipe in a dimly-lit industrial setting, wearing a uniform. He seems focused and attentive.
Dimly lit underground tunnel with large pipes lining both walls. A metal gate at the far end is illuminated by a central light, creating an industrial, confined atmosphere.
A dimly lit underground utility tunnel with large pipes on either side, casting shadows. The floor is grated metal, and the atmosphere feels industrial. A pipe in the distance intersects the tunnel perpendicularly.
Close-up of industrial pipes with a metallic valve and regulator in a dimly lit room. The setting conveys an industrial or mechanical atmosphere.
Industrial interior with bright blue and yellow pipes running along the ceiling and walls. A large blue motor is central, conveying a utilitarian tone.
A metal panel with a "HIGH VOLTAGE" warning sign in bold red letters. The industrial setting suggests caution and an emphasis on safety.
A dimly lit industrial tunnel with large metal pipes lining both walls. The pipes lead toward a bright light in the distance, creating a mysterious atmosphere.
Man with a long beard stands in a narrow industrial corridor, surrounded by large pipes. He smiles warmly, conveying a sense of contentment.

 

A connected campus
Chris Bansil

Chris Bansil

Most employees and students never think about what happens after they adjust the thermostat. But Chris Bansil, executive director of utility services, sees the system as a critical network that quietly powers campus life.

"It's infrastructure that's everywhere," Bansil said. "Most people don't see it, but it's running all the time."

The tunnels are part of an intricate system that saves the university money and improves efficiency, Bansil explained. Instead of each building operating its own boiler and cooling equipment, heating and cooling are produced at three utility plants and distributed underground, lowering long-term operating costs and improving energy efficiency.

"We're moving a lot of water; that means we can get leaks," Bansil said. "And because the pipes are in tunnels, we can find those leaks a lot faster than if everything was buried in the ground."

That responsibility falls largely to Kelly Scott, supervisor for utility distribution with University Facility Services, who oversees the roughly 6 1/2 miles of tunnels.

Kelly Scott

Kelly Scott

"We walk the entire tunnel system every month," Scott said. "We document anything that's out of the ordinary or leaking, and then we spend the rest of the month welding things back together and addressing any issues as efficiently as possible."

The tunnels carry steam, steam condensate, chilled water, domestic water and even some electrical and communications lines. 

Heating and cooling campus

In the Sonoran Desert, cooling is critical for much of the year. Massive chillers cool water to about 42 degrees, circulating it through a closed-loop system containing approximately 5.5 million gallons.

To manage high electricity costs during peak summer hours, the university produces ice at night when demand is lower, Bansil said. Using stored ice from 2 to 8 p.m. during the hottest months reduces strain on chillers and saves roughly $500,000 annually.

The chilled water is then pumped through the tunnels to specialized coils within campus buildings. Air flowing past those coils is cooled and distributed throughout the buildings, producing the air conditioning students and employees appreciate during the hot summer months.

Buildings are heated in a similar way, with steam pumped through coils to warm the air. The steam is generated in enormous boilers at the utility plants and travels through insulated pipes in the tunnels to provide heat and hot water during cooler months. 

Working below the surface
A man with a long beard and tattoos, wearing a cap and beige shirt, inspects large industrial pipes in a dimly lit setting, conveying focus and expertise.

Scott says expansion joints prevent stress, cracking and failure as the pipes expand under the intense heat and pressure of the steam they carry.

Narrow passageways and the steady hum of pipes carrying steam and chilled water create a world far removed from the campus environment above. The working conditions underground can be demanding. 

"The heat is probably the biggest issue for the team," Scott said. "Most of the tunnels are very small, there's not a whole lot of room to work, and it's hot."

Despite the challenges, Scott said the work is meaningful.

"We are here to help students graduate," he said. "If we can keep their hot water on and keep them cool in the summer, we're more than happy to do it."

Scott said that when something goes wrong, the team's response is immediate, no matter the hour. If repairs stretch late into the night, they stay until the job is done, restoring heat, cooling or hot water before most of campus even realizes there was a problem.

"The team we have here cares about this campus, and everybody is wonderful to work with."

While Scott and his team's work may happen out of sight for most employees on campus, its impact is felt by everyone. The next time you adjust a thermostat and the air kicks on, remember that it's the result of planning, infrastructure and a team of experts who make it possible.

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