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Tunnel

Washington Street Tunnel

Contractor: J. K. Lake
Photographer: John Carbutt
Location: Looking west from Franklin Street.

Opened on 1 January, 1869, this tunnel had a double roadway for vehicles, and a twelve foot passage for pedestrians. It cost $517,000 and was 1,605 feet long. In September, 1871, a much better tunnel was built under LaSalle Street. Both tunnels survived the Fire. The Washington Tunnel connected the South and West Divisions, while the LaSalle connected the North and South. The Washington Tunnel was in use untill 1953 and removed in 1963. In 1939 the LaSalle Street Tunnel was closed because of the construction of the subway.