What is The Highest Tunnel in America? (The Eisenhower Tunnel)

The Eisenhower Memorial Tunnel, about 60 miles west of Denver on Interstate 70, sits at 11,013 feet at the East Portal and 11,158 feet at the West Portal. The Tunnel traverses through the Continental Divide at an average elevation of 11,112 feet. When initially opened in the 1970s, the tunnel was not only the highest vehicular tunnel in the U.S., but it was also the highest in the world at that time. The facility lies entirely within the Arapaho National Forest and is divided by two counties, Clear Creek County at the East Portal and Summit county at the West Portal. The Tunnel and the Continental Divide also separate two watersheds, the Clear Creek Watershed on the east and the Straight Creek Watershed on the west.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction: the highest vehicular tunnel in the U.S.
01:15 The highway before the tunnel
02:27 Tunneling through the Colorado Rockies
04:34 A plane crash northeast of the east portal
05:16 Janet Bonnema was mistakingly hired
06:40 the first tunnel opened for highway traffic
09:20 Measurements of the tunnel
10:15 Control room portals located on both ends of the tunnel
11:49 Restoration is needed
12:57 Closing: A shorter much safer commute

IT’S HISTORY - Weekly tales of American Urban Decay as presented by your host Ryan Socash.

» CONTACT

» CREDIT
Scriptwriter - Camrin Dekis,
Editor -Sebastian Ripoll,
Host - Ryan Socash

» SOURCES


» NOTICE
Some images may be used for illustrative purposes only - always reflecting the accurate time frame and content. Events of factual error / mispronounced word/spelling mistakes - retractions will be published in this section.

[jenniferwhitewolf]

Long ago the "Alpine Tunnel" built for a narrow gauge railroad, near Pitkin Colorado, was the highest tunnel at 11, 523 and was the first tunnel to cross the continental divide. Brutal winter weather ravaged the area, making it impossible to maintain operations year round. It opened in 1882 but closed forever in 1910.

[Mk]

73.5% of the length needed rock support. This is very important to know. I am glad you included it.

[killerchopsdempster]

I grew up in Colorado years ago, and my family always used to drive through this tunnel several times a year. Always loved staring out the window and wondering what it’s like inside the portal buildings

[sergepetiteau]

In France we have the tunnel through the Mont-Blanc between France and Italy. We also have the Eurotunnel under the English Channel to connect the continent to the UK. But you guys in the US have put these constructions to another level. I've seen all your vids (remarkable) and everything you built is just insane. Bravo for all this and bravo for your YT channel. Love it.

[Backroad_Junkie]

Been through it a few times on the way out West. It's very impressive. And it's not the only tunnel on I-70.

It would be interesting if he covered the construction of I-70 through the San Rafael Swell in Utah. The part after the sign that says "No services next 107 miles"...

[Existntlangst]

I grew up in Colorado. Drove through this tunnel several times. Truly an amazing feat of engineering!

[JPMadden]

The 6000-foot change in elevation between the tunnel and Denver is more impressive. Several years ago, I drove the downhill route at night in a snowstorm. You had better know that an automatic transmission car can be downshifted, which most people not from the mountains do not.

[vikapica]

My home region. Been through it thousands of times!!

[dominicmcauliffe]

I love going through Eisenhower, I live in Steamboat Springs... it's about three hours from Denver. It's such a beautiful drive.

[wildsmiley]

Nice to see an episode devoted to something in my beloved home state. The Ike has never failed to impress me, even as a child

[peggywoods]

Been through the tunnels many many times. Nothing like that pucker moment right as you exit the tunnels into inclement weather, slick road surface and steep grade....

[wadeguidry]

From my experience exiting the tunnels and going down hill is nerve wracking in any weather.

[nickakers]

You should consider doing a feature on the Big Walker Mountain and East River Mountain tunnels in Virginia and West Virginia. They were both built around the same time as the Eisenhower and Johnson tunnels, and though are not as large, met their own challenges during construction that might make for an interesting video. Not to mention their significance to the surrounding communities by drastically cutting drive times. Especially the East River Mountain Tunnel that connects the two states.

[radudeATL]

I drove through this yesterday, and I'll be driving back through it tomorrow.

[gambleoakranch]

Will you please do a video on the castlewood canyon dam in Douglas county CO. It's a fascinating story. I ask for this alot and I know there are several people that would like to see it

[scottposey]

My Grandfather was on the build crew as a heavy equipment operator for both the tunnel and most of I-70. When he was hired he bought a new truck and installed a slide in camper and lived onsite for many months from April till late October only coming home a couple times a month. On his off time to relax, He would hike into the mountains with his panning equipment and pan the local rivers & streams for gold. Some weeks he'd made more money panning for gold then he did working.

[SHomaidan]

There is a traffic light before the tunnel entrance to control the flow and amount of traffic in the tunnel. If you have to stop, you will be stopped at an uphill slope. If the weather is wintery and the road is slippery, be in the right lane because a lot of semis will lose traction and spin their wheels, even move backwards at times. When you are in the right lane, you can move on to the shoulder which is wide enough to go around the stuck semis.

[DaveSCameron]

I'd never heard of this tunnel, many thanks again Sir 🇬🇧☀️👍

[sjTHEfirst]

I think you mean “fire suppression system”, not “fire suspension system”

[joshriver]

In the mid 80s when i was a teenager we were moving to California when our large Uhaul truck broke down just outside the Eisenhower tunnel, from vapor lock.
I offered to ride my bike back down the interstate on the shoulder to get help in Georgetown, about 35 miles. To this day I can't believe my Dad let me do that. Gravity carried me so fast coasting was the only option. An experience ill never forget.