Thorold Tunnel

Thorold Tunnel
Tunnel seen from the east
Overview
Route Highway 58
CrossesWelland Canal
Operation
Constructed1965-67
Opened1967 (1967)
OperatorMinistry of Transportation
TrafficVehicle and pedestrian
Vehicles per day24,300 (2014)
Technical
Length840 metres (2,760 ft)
No. of lanes4
Operating speed80 kilometres per hour (50 mph)
Tunnel clearance4.5 metres (15 ft)

The Thorold Tunnel is an underwater tunnel in Thorold, Ontario, Canada carrying Highway 58 underneath the Welland Canal. Built between 1965 and 1967, the tunnel is 840 metres in length and consists of two separate tubes each containing two lanes of traffic. The westbound tube has a sidewalk for pedestrians.[1]

It is one of three tunnels under the Welland Canal (the other two being the Main Street and Townline Tunnels in Welland), and the only tunnel to be constructed after the waterway opened.[1]

The tunnel has been used as a filming location due to its relatively low traffic levels, including for the television series American Gothic and the movie Highwaymen.[2]

Due to repair work on the tunnel's ceiling tiles, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation began daily closures of the westbound tube in April 2018 outside of morning rush hour.[3] The repairs are an interim measure and a tender for full rehabilitation of the tunnel was issued by the Ministry on April 4, 2018.[4] In April, 2024 construction began on the Thorold Tunnel, resulting in nighttime closures and daytime lane restrictions.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b "The Thorold Tunnel". Traveller's Information. Ministry of Transportation of Ontario. Archived from the original on July 25, 2014. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  2. ^ Walter, Karena (March 10, 2016). "Thorold Tunnel captures TV spotlight". St. Catharines Standard. Archived from the original on November 29, 2017. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  3. ^ Liddycoat, Bob (April 25, 2018). "Thorold Tunnel To Experience Daily Closures". The Thorold News. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  4. ^ "Contract Number 2018-2007". Registry, Appraisal and Qualification System. Ontario Ministry of Transportation. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  5. ^ "Media Release: Thorold Tunnel (HWY 58) under construction starting April 9, 2024". 5 April 2024.

43°06′57″N 79°11′39″W / 43.11580°N 79.19409°W / 43.11580; -79.19409