The Longest Tunnel in Canada Is a 9-Mile Engineering Masterpiece

The Mount Macdonald Tunnel is the longest railway tunnel in North and South America. It was the first tunnel to utilize a paved concrete track, a huge maintenance cost advantage. Because the railway didn’t need wooden ties or rock ballast, there was much less upkeep required on the tunnel. But beyond being cost-effective, there are many other reasons why the longest tunnel in Canada is crucial to transportation in the area.

Where Is the Longest Tunnel in Canada?

Located in southeastern British Columbia, the Mount Macdonald Tunnel is a single-track that runs under Mount Macdonald in the Selkirk Mountains. Carrying the Canadian Pacific Railway mainline, most of the westbound train traffic travels through the Mount Macdonald Tunnel.

How Big Is the Longest Tunnel in Canada?

At 9.11 miles long, that is about two times as long as the Las Vegas Strip. On average, the tunnel is 25 feet and 10 inches high. At the straight sections, the tunnel is 17 feet wide, and at the curved sections, the tunnel is 18 feet wide.

The track is a standard gauge size of four feet and 8.5 inches.

When Was the Longest Tunnel in Canada Built?

Construction of the Mount MacDonald Tunnel began in 1985. It was the solution to the heavy traffic demands on the Connaught Tunnel, which runs west of the present-day Mount Macdonald Tunnel. The route through Connaught Tunnel required the aid of pusher locomotives. With the Mount Macdonald Tunnel being 91 meters lower than the Connaught Tunnel, the Macdonald ascends at a lower grade. Thus, it made the pusher locomotives unnecessary.

As a $600 million project, it highlighted the most significant expansion of the Canadian Pacific Railway since the railway was built in the 1880s. On November 9, 1988, the first official train traveled through the tunnel.

Mount Macdonald Tunnel’s Ventilation System

Because of the tunnel’s length and lack of electrification, a ventilation system was designed. Using a series of large fans, the tunnel is cleared of any diesel exhaust from the trains. The Mount MacDonald Tunnel also features doors at each portal end and mid-point, which can be opened or closed whenever the tunnel must be cleared out.

What Is the Main Purpose of the Mount Macdonald Tunnel?

The Mount Macdonald Tunnel is a crucial route for transporting commodities. From coal and minerals to timber and grain, the longest tunnel in Canada provides a safe and efficient way through the Selkirk Mountains.

Wildlife Around the Longest Tunnel in Canada

Because it passes by the Glacier National Park, there are many kinds of wildlife along the tracks of the Mount Macdonald Tunnel. Here are a few animals you may spot along the route to the longest tunnel in Canada.

Black Bears

Typically, female black bears grow to be around 300 pounds, whereas male black bears can exceed 500 weight. At four to six feet long, black bears, on average, live to be eight to 15 years old. While they may have below-average eyesight, black bears have a powerful sense of smell. It’s about seven times more sensitive than a bloodhound! Black bears are also sure-footed tree climbers, confident swimmers, and can reach speeds up to 30 miles an hour while running. The forested areas around the Selkirk Mountains provide abundant food and shelter for these bears.

Golden Eagle

As one of the fastest and largest raptors in North America, you can spot these eagles by the golden feathers on the back of their head and neck. Hunting mostly jackrabbits and other small mammals, golden eagles have been known to attack coyotes or bears who endanger their young. When diving for prey, a golden eagle can reach speeds of 150 to 200 miles an hour!

Mountain Goat

Despite the name, mountain goats are actually in the Bovidae family, along with gazelles, antelopes, and cattle. This talented climber can scale near-vertical cliffs and icy segments of rock. This ability to navigate high elevations is the mountain goat’s main protection against predators like wolves, black bears, and pumas. They will only venture to lower elevations when there is a food shortage or extreme weather.

In Conclusion

At 9.11 miles long, the Mount Macdonald Tunnel is not only the longest tunnel in Canada but the longest railway tunnel in the Americas. Since 1988, the Mount Macdonald Tunnel has been a keystone piece of the Canadian Pacific Railway.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Manfred Kopka, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons – License / Original