The Eisenhower Tunnel is the longest mountain tunnel in the world, located in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. It was completed in 1979 and bypasses Loveland Pass. The original spacing was changed in 2007 due to the trucking industry’s request. Seven workers died during its construction.
Of the more than 41,000 miles (65,983 km) of road that make up the U.S. Interstate Highway system, the highest lanes travel approximately 1.7 miles (2.7 km) through the Rocky Mountains, taking Interstate 70 across the Continental Divide one hour a west of Denver, Colorado. The tunnel, named for President Dwight D. Eisenhower, was finished in 1979 at an elevation of 11,158 feet (3,401 m). One of the last major pieces of the system to be completed, the Eisenhower Tunnel bypasses Loveland Pass, relieving drivers of the task of traversing the watershed along old US Highway 6, with its treacherous switchbacks.
The longest mountain tunnel in the world:
The Eisenhower Tunnel was the tallest tunnel in the world. It has since been eclipsed by Fenguoshan Suidao, a 16,000-foot (4,877m) tunnel in Tibet. The Eisenhower Tunnel is still the longest mountain tunnel.
The original spacing of the tunnels was 13.5 feet (4.1 m), but the trucking industry convinced engineers to change the lighting and signage in 2007 to increase it by 5 inches (12.7 cm). Sensors activate sirens near each entrance if a vehicle above the indicated height limit attempts to enter.
During construction, fault lines were discovered and collapses began to endanger project workers. Despite safety precautions, seven workers died during construction of the tunnel.
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