Altoona Tunnel
Information
Location
State: Pennsylvania
County: Blair County
Feature Carried: Veterans Memorial Highway
Latitude, Longitude: 40.4965, -78.4859
Structure Open, Posted, or Closed to Traffic: Open, height restriction
History
Year Built: 1854
Picture Date: August 8, 2024
Tunnel Information
The Altoona Tunnel was constructed as part of the Horseshoe curve. This tunnel is a one lane tunnel that carries Veterans Memorial Highway and Glenwhite run under the embankment that the railroad sits on.
Horseshoe Curve is a three-track railroad curve which does a 180-degree turn. It is 2,375 feet long and 1,300 feet in diameter. It was completed in 1854 by the Pennsylvania Railroad. This Railroad eliminated the Portage Railroad’s 10 incline plans, and greatly sped up travel across the Allegheny Mountains. The curve was a tourist attraction from the time it was built. The first trackside observation park was completed in 1879. Trains have operated continuously on this railroad since the day it opened, and approximately 60 trains pass per day.
References
Railroad City: https://www.railroadcity.org/horseshoecurve
ASCE: https://www.asce.org/about-civil-engineering/history-and-heritage/historic-landmarks/horseshoe-curve-pennsylvania-railroad
