Discover The Longest Tunnel in Maryland

Maryland has a lot of waterways so it is only fitting that the longest tunnel in Maryland goes under water. The Baltimore Harbor Tunnel is the longest tunnel in Maryland. It stretches below the Patapsco River and Baltimore Harbor. It is one of the major entry points to the Inner Harbor area.

The Baltimore Harbor Tunnel is 1.4 miles long. When you include the approaches, as well as the structures that support it, the tunnel is a whopping 18.1 miles long.

This is actually a pair of tunnels. One allows traffic to move east while the other allows traffic to move west. There are signs that designate lanes and they can be switched to allow traffic going both directions to go through the same tunnel if needed. Each one is 22 feet wide.

There are some restrictions on vehicle use and very large trucks and trailers aren’t able to fit through the tunnel safely. Vehicles that are more than 96 inches wide or 13 feet 6 inches tall have to find another route.

When was the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel built?

Construction on the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel began in April 1955. There are 21 individual sections that were individually sunk into the harbor and connected. The first was submerged in April 1956, a year after initial construction began. Each section is 300 feet long. After being sunk, they were placed in a pre-dug trench and connected underwater. A ventilation system was also built into the design to allow exhaust fumes to exit the tunnel and fresh air to enter the tunnel. At the time, this design was state-of-the-art and got a lot of attention.

The tunnel opened in November 1957. Over 10,000 cars went through the tunnel within the first 12 hours and it has seen heavy use ever since. The first collision in the tunnel occurred only 15 minutes after the tunnel opened. Fortunately, authorities are skilled at dealing with emergencies in tunnels like the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel.

The opening of the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel was significant because of the amount of traffic that went through Baltimore at the time. All traffic going south from Philadelphia had to travel through Baltimore. But the city streets were frequently congested and caused major traffic and delays. The opening of the tunnel resulted in up to 40% fewer cars on the city roads and faster travel through Baltimore.

Where is the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel located?

The Baltimore Harbor Tunnel runs under the Patapsco River in Baltimore, Maryland. Highway 895 runs into the tunnel. It is near the Dundalk Marine Terminal, Fort McHenry National Monument, and Wagner’s Point. According to the Maryland Transit Authority, over 27 million vehicles go through the tunnel each year.

Today, the Fort McHenry tunnel, which is part of Interstate 95, and the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which is part of Interstate 695, also allow through transit in the area.

Wildlife in Baltimore

One of the best ways to learn more about the ocean life in Baltimore Harbor which swims and lives all around the tunnel under the water is to visit the National Aquarium. This amazing aquarium is located in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor area, which is easy to access once you go through the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel.

Blue crabs and striped bass are two species that are common in the area. Baltimore Harbor is part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Fortunately, there are numerous studies and organizations that monitor and track ocean life in the bay.

Smaller organisms, such as zooplankton, barnacles, and mussels have been the topic of a recent study in partnership with the Maryland Sea Grant to learn more about biodiversity under the water. Like with any ecosystem, the welfare of smaller organisms can have a big impact on the survival of larger species and the overall health of the bay.

The Baltimore Harbor Tunnel is in a populated urban area so there aren’t as many open spaces for many land animals to roam nearby. Squirrels and birds are common in the city. Bats also come out at night. Some deer may venture into grassy areas. Nearby Patapsco Valley State Park is a great place for wildlife viewing and nature exploration.

Animals that live in the park and surrounding areas include many birds. Red-winged Blackbirds, American Robins, Eastern Bluebirds, Northern Cardinals, and Baltimore Orioles are all common. Great Blue Herons, multiple species of hawks, and Canadian geese are also found throughout the area. Snakes, turtles, and frogs are also common sights in the park, which has a lot of water sources.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Kruck20