A Near Tragedy Occurred In The Liberty Tunnel In Pittsburgh In 1924

Traveling through tunnels is second nature to Pittsburghers. Most of us, in fact, are all too familiar with idling in traffic as we inch closer to the tunnel that will lead us to our final destination. Each day more than 200,000 vehicles pass through the city’s tunnels, including the Liberty Tunnel in Pittsburgh, which has quite an interesting backstory.

The Liberty Tunnel, running through Mount Washington, connects downtown Pittsburgh to the South Hills suburbs. It officially opened to traffic in March 1924.

Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain

However, construction on the tunnel, the longest in Pittsburgh, wasn’t 100 percent complete. The ventilation system that would pump the toxic fumes out of the tunnel had been designed but not yet installed.

Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain

Experts asserted that, even without the ventilation system, the drive through the tunnel would be safe if 200 cars, at a time, were limited to it. The traffic’s flow, they believed, would help push the dangerous fumes out of the tunnel.

Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain

That assertion, however, proved nearly fatal on the morning of May 10, 1924. The city was in the middle of dealing with a public transportation strike, which meant more cars were on the road.

Wikimedia Commons/Doug Kerr

The traffic, as a result, got so heavy near the Liberty Tunnel, it caused a traffic jam both outside and inside of the tunnel.

Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain

Authorities ordered all drivers to turn off their cars, to stop the spread of the deadly carbon monoxide. Regardless, the carbon monoxide began to impact drivers, some of whom passed out.

Flickr/Jon Dawson

Those, who did not pass out, ran for the closest exit in the tunnel to again breathe fresh air as firefighters ran in to save the others.

Flickr/Paul Sableman

Several Pittsburghers were taken to local hospitals to be treated for carbon monoxide poisoning. Fortunately, however, no one died, and the ventilation system would be installed the following year.

Flickr/sabreguy29

Had you already heard the historic tale of the Liberty Tunnel in Pittsburgh before? Let us know in the comments! For another stroll back in time, see if you remember any or all of the five worst winter storms in Pittsburgh.

Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain

Wikimedia Commons/Doug Kerr

Flickr/Jon Dawson

Flickr/Paul Sableman

Flickr/sabreguy29

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Liberty Tunnel, Pittsburgh, PA, USA