Eisenhower+Tunnel

Eisenhower Tunnel

Elese Swift, Mike Block, Emily McCarthy Per 2 12/13/07

Eisenhower Tunnel

Construction began on the Eisenhower Tunnel in March, 1968 and took five years to build. The tunnel was complete March 8, 1973. It is located approximately 60 miles west of Denver Colorado on Interstate 70. The reason this tunnel was built was to cut down the time it took to drive from Denver to Breckenridge. They managed to reduce the time to about an hour and a half. Eisenhower Tunnel is the highest vehicular tunnel in the world at an average elevation of 11,112 feet. This tunnel was originally designed as a twin bore tunnel. Construction on the second bore began August 18, 1875 and ended December 21, 1979. The Eisenhower Tunnel doesn’t have any tolls as of right now.

Construction: The shape of the Eisenhower Tunnel is parabolic. The tunnel was originally designed as a twin bore tunnel. The Eisenhower Tunnel is currently the highest vehicular tunnel in the world. This shape is used to make tunnels that go through mountains mostly, because the parabolic shape can handle the pressure of the dirt on top of it.

EISENHOWER TUNNEL---Find the following:

•	There are two lanes in each of the two tunnels, and there is a walkway in each tunnel. Each individual lane has 13 feet of space, plus one walkway, which is 3 feet. The total width of one tunnel is 29 feet.

•	The clearance of the tunnel is 13 feet and 6 inches, and the highest point of the tunnel is 16 feet and 4 inches. The Roof of the tunnel is actually 40 feet above the ground, but there are many air ducts that lower the roof.

•	There is one barrier between the two tunnels, and it is used to maintain the tunnel. Inside the barrier the air ducts, and electrical circuits are kept under control.

•	There is a shoulder, and it is used for maintenance parking and parking for tourists who want to take pictures.