101 years ago this week, the first Liberty Tube was completed. I know we like to gripe about the congestion, but can you really imagine Pittsburgh without the tubes? Here are some interesting facts to think about the next time everyone is slowing down in the tunnels.
It took four years for excavation crews to blast, drill, and carve more than 400,000 tons of dirt and rock out of Mount Washington, according to the Heinz History Center.
At 5,889 feet, the tubes were the two longest concrete tunnels designed for automobiles — until the Holland Tunnel opened in New York shortly after.
When the tunnels were open for public view, Pittsburghers were beaten to entry by a small yellow dog who ran through the east tunnel and became the first living creature to make the full trip.
On May 10, 1924 (99 years ago this week), 3,200 trolley operators for the Pittsburgh Street Railway Company went on strike, causing an influx of traffic to build up in the tunnels. The Pittsburgh Press reported that 649 cars jammed into the tunnel, and drivers were overcome by fumes. A total of 33 people were hospitalized for carbon monoxide inhalation but miraculously no one died.
