Colorado's Least Known Tunnel Almost Didn't Happen

The fastest way to get from point "A" to point "B" is a straight line. Living in Colorado, we know this isn't always possible with all the mountains and valleys. Enter the tunnel, a giant hole blasted through a mountain creating said straight line.

You're probably familiar with Colorado's famous Eisenhower Tunnel, which is the highest and longest tunnel on the Interstate Highway System. Did you know there's a longer tunnel in Colorado? The Moffat Tunnel, a railway portal, stretches six miles through the Continental Divide -- whoa!

Colorado Tunnel Was the Brainchild of a Railroad Pioneer

Moffat Tunnel had a hard time coming to fruition, however. The brainchild of railroad pioneer, David Moffat, Moffat Tunnel was to provide easier access to the West Coast from Denver. Cheyenne, Wyo. and Pueblo, Colo. both had rail access west, both direct competitors to Moffat's Denver, Northwestern Pacific Railroad.

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Moffat, however, was unable to raise funds for the tunnel before he passed in 1911. Although efforts continued after Moffat's death, the measure was defeated multiple times until 1922 when Pueblo was devastated by a flood.

Construction began in 1923 and was finally "holed through" by President Calvin Coolidge in 1927. Fun Fact: President Coolidge pressed a button in Washington, DC that detonated the dynamite broadcast via radio from the mountain.

Construction of the tunnel was completed in 1928, giving Denver access west and providing a straight path for water transportation from the west back east to Denver.

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Building the tunnel didn't come cheap. The original cost was slated for $6.6 million, but when it was all said and done, the total cost of the tunnel topped $23.9 million. During construction, 3 billion pounds of rock was removed from the mountain.

Moffatt Tunnel is still in use today, transporting coal and freight. Tourists can enjoy the tunnel via Amtrack's California Zephyr. Plus, the Winter Park Express is starting back up this year with trips from Denver to Winter Park during ski season.

Have you ever checked out Moffat Tunnel?

[Wikipedia]

10 Things You May Not Know about the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel

The Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel open on March 8, 1973. Before the tunnel, Coloradans had to take the Loveland Pass over U.S. Highway 6 in order to make it over the Continental Divide. Scroll on to learn 10 facts you may not have known about Ike's tunnel.

Gallery Credit: Wes Adams

Things You Can't Take Through Colorado's Eisenhower Tunnel at Any Time

It goes without saying there are things you shouldn't take through a 1.69-mile tunnel. When it comes to Colorado's Eisenhower Tunnel, some materials have to take the alternate route over Loveland Pass. What happens when Loveland Pass is closed due to severe weather?

When it comes to some materials, they will shut down traffic at Eisenhower Tunnel so trucks transporting shipments of hazardous material can pass. This happens frequently. There are, however, certain materials that are "... not allowed through the Eisenhower Tunnels at any time." According to cotrip.org, these explosive, poisonous, and in some cases, radioactive materials cannot be transported through the tunnels.

Gallery Credit: Waylon Jordan

Tour The Midland Railroad Tunnels Near Buena Vista Colorado

You can drive through a number of abandoned railroad tunnels just down the road near Buena Vista, Colorado. Have you visited the Midland Railroad Tunnels on CO Road 371?

The site is easy to get to. What's more, you can explore these fascinating tunnels without even leaving your car.

Gallery Credit: Waylon Jordan

Source: Colorado’s Least Known Tunnel Almost Didn’t Happen

Filed Under: Colorado History