Today in Wheeling History: December 12--The Wheeling Tunnel, West Virginia's first interstate tunnel, was dedicated and opened to traffic (1966).
The Wheeling Tunnel, a landmark infrastructure project that transformed transportation through the heart of Wheeling, opened after three and a half years of construction. The $7.6 million project consisted of twin tubes cutting through Wheeling Hill, each carrying two lanes of Interstate 70 and U.S. Route 250. The tunnel required 1.6 million pieces of bright yellow tile to line its sides and ceiling, along with 57,000 cubic yards of concrete including ventilation buildings. Measuring 22.5 feet high from roadway to arch and 1,425 feet long, it was constructed by C.J. Langenfelder & Co. and Mountain State Construction Co. The project faced challenges during construction, including a work stoppage in 1964 due to carbon monoxide exposure affecting workers. The dedication ceremony featured Governor Hulett Smith as the main speaker, with performances by the Wheeling High School band and participation from local leaders including Mayor Charles Ihlenfeld and Wheeling College President Rev. Frank R. Haig, S.J. The tunnel's completion also marked the opening of three other I-70 system links and the Wheeling Interchange at the western portal. Project engineer Bill Lunstrum noted that the most challenging aspect was constructing the east portal walls due to their size and precise fitting requirements.
To learn more: Wheeling Intelligencer (https://shorturl.at/8HVMX), Wikipedia (https://shorturl.at/xFncS)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV
The Wheeling Tunnel, a landmark infrastructure project that transformed transportation through the heart of Wheeling, opened after three and a half years of construction. The $7.6 million project consisted of twin tubes cutting through Wheeling Hill, each carrying two lanes of Interstate 70 and U.S. Route 250. The tunnel required 1.6 million pieces of bright yellow tile to line its sides and ceiling, along with 57,000 cubic yards of concrete including ventilation buildings. Measuring 22.5 feet high from roadway to arch and 1,425 feet long, it was constructed by C.J. Langenfelder & Co. and Mountain State Construction Co. The project faced challenges during construction, including a work stoppage in 1964 due to carbon monoxide exposure affecting workers. The dedication ceremony featured Governor Hulett Smith as the main speaker, with performances by the Wheeling High School band and participation from local leaders including Mayor Charles Ihlenfeld and Wheeling College President Rev. Frank R. Haig, S.J. The tunnel's completion also marked the opening of three other I-70 system links and the Wheeling Interchange at the western portal. Project engineer Bill Lunstrum noted that the most challenging aspect was constructing the east portal walls due to their size and precise fitting requirements.
To learn more: Wheeling Intelligencer (https://shorturl.at/8HVMX), Wikipedia (https://shorturl.at/xFncS)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV
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