Liberty Tunnel

Liberty Tunnels

Traffic flowing through the Liberty Tunnels
Overview
Other name(s) Liberty Tubes
Location Mt. Washington, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Coordinates 40°25′45″N 79°59′58″W / 40.429055°N 79.999419°W / 40.429055; -79.999419Coordinates: 40°25′45″N 79°59′58″W / 40.429055°N 79.999419°W / 40.429055; -79.999419
Operation
Opened 1924
Character Twin Horseshoe Profile road tunnels
Technical
Length 5,889 feet (1,795 m)
Number of lanes 4
Tunnel clearance 14 ft 6 in (4.42 m)
Liberty Tunnels south end in 2004

The Liberty Tunnels (also known as the Liberty Tubes) are a pair of tunnels located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that allow motorists to travel between the South Hills of Pittsburgh and the city, through Mt. Washington. The tunnels were vital in the expansion of the South Hills suburbs by providing a direct route to the city, eliminating the time-consuming task of navigating around or over Mt. Washington and its inclines.

Design

The tunnels were designed by Amos D. Neeld, who would also supervise the construction of the adjoining Liberty Bridge, which gives travelers a way to cross the Monongahela River after passing through the tunnels. The design was two vertical wall horseshoe profile tunnels, each consisting of two lanes of traffic and a 4 ft (1.2 m) sidewalk. The sidewalks, being minimally used and in disrepair, were removed during a renovation in the 1970s in order to widen and increase the height of the traffic lanes.

Proposed alternatives

Prior to the construction of the Liberty Tunnels, many other projects were proposed. One plan, from engineer W.M. Donley, did not involve constructing tunnels, but called for a deep cut through the mountain. This would eliminate the need for a tunnel, but the pitch was rejected. Many residents wanted tunnels to be built in Shalerville. Later in 1959, the Fort Pitt Tunnels were constructed very near this proposed area. Similarly, other residents wanted tunnels to be built in a valley behind Mt. Washington that led to Dormont and Mt. Lebanon. They would follow a low line to exit at Saw Mill Run. This was known as the Bell Tavern plan, which was modified to create the Liberty Tunnels. The final plan for the tunnels shared the southern Bell Tavern portal, but followed a higher line to emerge on the north face of Mt. Washington. This plan required the construction of a new bridge, which was to become the Liberty Bridge.

Construction

Booth and Flinn, Ltd. were awarded the contract to build the new tunnels in January 1919, and construction began shortly thereafter. On May 11, 1922, the boring of the tunnels was complete and in January 1924, the $6 million ($83 million in present dollars)[1] Liberty Tunnels were opened to traffic. However, the tunnels were not yet complete and lacked a major component necessary to the project: ventilation.

Ventilation

There was not yet a ventilation system and the traffic flow through the tunnels exceeded predicted numbers. During rush hour traffic, some motorists passed out from the fumes emitted from the exhaust of the congested vehicles. For the safety of motorists, the number of vehicles permitted through the tunnels was regulated until a ventilation system was installed.

With help from the U.S. Bureau of Mines, tunnel engineers designed a system to ventilate the tunnels to accommodate the high traffic flow. In 1928, construction of four 200-foot (61 m) vertical shafts was completed to continuously provide fresh air to the tunnels. A plant located on top on the mountain was constructed to pump the fresh air through the shafts, which also tower 110 ft (34 m) above the plant. After the ventilation system was put into service, the traffic restrictions were lifted.

Liberty Bridge

Following the completion of the Liberty Tunnels, the Liberty Bridge was completed and linked to the tunnels on March 27, 1928. The bridge and tunnel combination gave motorists and pedestrians a direct route to the city without traveling over or around Mt. Washington.

Dimensions and specs

Pittsburgh, as seen through the northern end of the Liberty Tunnels in 1974

Reception

In 1941 it became the first tunnel in the world to provide AM radio reception throughout.[2]

Since August 1987 the tunnels have provided cellular phone reception.[3]

References

  1. ↑ The Digs: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | March 7, 1939: Liberty Tubes come to life The
  2. ↑ The Pittsburgh Press - Google News Archive Search
  3. ↑ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Google News Archive Search
  1. Liberty Tunnels. (n.d.). Retrieved March 12, 2008, from http://pghbridges.com/pittsburghW/0584-4474/liberty_tun.html
  2. The Liberty Tunnels and Bridge: The Gateway to the South Hills. (n.d.). Retrieved March 12, 2008, from http://www.spdconline.org/history/Gallery/Tunnels.html
  3. Workmaster, Wallace F. Mt. Lebanon History and Information. (n.d.). Retrieved March 12, 2008, from http://www.mtlebanon.org/index.asp?NID=34
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