These fans are designed to keep the air free from high levels of carbon monoxide. In the event of electrical failure, a generator can support the electrical needs of the Tunnel. Every twelfth light is powered by a generator. The light intensity at the portals is three times brighter than the interior. This prevents temporary blindness, when entering the Tunnel.
Flooding is practically impossible.
Pumps located under the road surface drain the water back into the ship channel. As to this date, the Tunnel has never been flooded. In the event that an automobile runs out of gasoline, the Commissioners Court has authorized a maximum of 2 gallons to be supplied to help stranded motorists. The Baytown Tunnel opened around 1946, and was in operation until 1999, when the Fred Hartman Bridge opened. The underwater section was demolished a few months after the bridge's opening.