Virginia woman known as 'tunnel girl' gets permit after being told to stop digging under her home

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The woman who became famous for digging a huge tunnel under her home has been given permission.

“Cala” — the supposed name of the home's owner and creator of the TikTok account @engineer.everything — has racked up 7.7 million views as she documented the process of digging a bunker under her home in Herndon, Virginia.

Known on social media as “Tunnel Girl,” Kala posted a video Monday announcing that her plans had been approved after paying a $2,000 fee. Her project was put on hold in 2024 due to potential building code violations.

“I paid the fee and my tunnel plans were approved. Finally, everything including floor plans, structural diagrams, construction specifications, load design and electrical plans are approved,” she said in a TikTok video.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Kale for comment.

A Herndon, Virginia, woman has “finally” gotten approval for her tunnel project after work was halted due to violations. (Engineer.everything/Tiktok)

The tunnel system goes 22 feet underground and the entrance is 30 feet beneath her home on her property.

A Herndon city spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital that a building permit had been issued.

“The first inspection by staff took place earlier this week and approval was given for partial pouring of the ceiling with concrete. The underground structure, as per the approved plans, will not extend beyond the house,” the spokesman added.

Neighbors in the apartment complex have expressed some concerns about Caloy's construction of her “storm shelter,” FOX 5 DC reports.

Rosie Hernandez, who told FOX 5 she has lived in the area for about three years, said she has not heard or seen any projects underway.

“It's weird to me. It's new because I've never seen anything before,” Hernandez said. “I don't see anything, like cars. I don't see anything.”

“Tunnel Girl” has attracted millions of viewers on TikTok.

Those watching the viral developments online (some of whom claimed to be residents of nearby areas) voiced their concerns about the safety and legality of the project while construction was still ongoing.

“It's kind of crazy. It's kind of funny, I'm not going to lie. But it definitely bothers me what she's doing and the dirt and all that stuff around us,” one woman, who apparently lives in the Qala area, wrote last year in one of several Reddit threads dedicated to the viral project.

“I just want to make sure it doesn't damage surrounding property,” the woman added.

Chris Colgan, owner of Chris Colgan Real Estate, who lives in an area near Qala, spoke to Fox News Digital about neighbors' feelings about the excavation.

“When she was first stopped, I think most people in the community assumed that was the last we would hear about it,” Colgan said.

“So it was surprising when she actually got permission. There are some concerns about potential damage to property in the area, but most of the neighbors I've spoken to find the whole situation funny and a little unusual,” he added.

Kala told FOX 5 that after an engineering assessment, the tunnel structure was deemed strong and stable enough, adding, “I feel relieved and celebrated.”

“From the very beginning, I felt like we were making progress because when I first approached the government, they responded with 60 comments, then I eliminated them, then they responded with 30 comments, and then they responded with 12 comments, so I always felt like we were moving forward,” Kala said.

Almost 2,000 TikTok users have left comments on Kala's latest update.

“Digging is one thing, but going through the complicated permitting process after the job is done is next to miraculous. Great job,” one user wrote.

Sourse: www.foxnews.com

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