Washburn Tunnel

Sandy: 28th Jul 2005 - 11:47 GMT

I remember going to and from work each day and praying there wasn't an accident or stalled car inside the tunnel.

Chet Cuccia: 19th Jan 2007 - 00:03 GMT

I never been through this tunnel, but the inside looks just like the old Baytown-LaPorte Tunnel.

Pat: 4th Feb 2007 - 14:25 GMT

Are there any tunnels in this area that are still active?

Rudy: 30th Jul 2007 - 14:46 GMT

Built in 1950, The Washburn Tunnel is the only operational underwater vehicle tunnel in the state of Texas. The Baytown Tunnel was demolished several years ago for the construction of the Fred Hartman Bridge (SH 146) in Baytown. As of Feb. 1, 2007, cameras are being used to monitor traffic use in the tunnel for possible structure changes that may need to be made in the future because of its age.
http://www.co.harris.tx.us/comm_garcia/WashburnTunnel.aspx
This is an in-depth article about the tunnel and what it takes to operate it. Enjoy!

Rudy: 30th Jul 2007 - 14:50 GMT

By the way, I have lived only 5 miles from this tunnel for 38 years, and it still gives me chills to drive through it. Not because of fear, but because it's amazed me that such a tunnel of its age could still be fully operational. It's a short drive through it, but always an amazing experience!

PJ Rock: 30th Aug 2007 - 02:35 GMT

I drive through this tunnel every day, every week! Awesome marvel!

PJ

Craig: 15th Sep 2007 - 03:07 GMT

I had a motorcycle wreck in 1980 coming out of the south side of the tunnel.
Back then the entrance and exit to the tunnel were paved in cobblestone, which is very slippery, especially if wet and mixed with all of the oil on the road!!!
Anyway, as I was exiting the tunnel on the south side going into Pasadena I slid over on the cobblestone and tore the ass end out of my Levi's and wrecked the left side of the bike. Oh yeah, I scraped my left elbow also.
Luckily it was about 11pm and nobody was behind me.

mario de j,: 1st Oct 2007 - 01:38 GMT

I go thru the tunnel to work 2 times a day,and before i go across I pray to God nothing bad happen.It is narrow and old.It needs to be replace for an update and new structure before something bad happen!

Liz October 27th 2007: 27th Oct 2007 - 19:48 GMT

I kive a good 15 minutes from the tunnel and have been going through through the tunnel all my life. As a child we went through it every Sunday to see my grandparentsand it is still awesome.

Galen J: 14th Nov 2007 - 02:11 GMT

I drove through this tunnel hundreds of times beginning in the mid 1950's. It always amazed me how AM radio stations would immediately go off once you hit the entrance. Driving a motorcycle through it in the 60's was indeed a challenge. You had to drive down right or left side of the lane. If traffic stopped and you were at the bottom, the car fumes in those days were terrible. Washburn tunnel = good memories.

Jane Biggers: 31st Dec 2007 - 21:15 GMT

I will never forget this tunnel when going thru it to my visit my brother and his family for years. I was in awe and yet it held an unknown terror of mystery within its enclosure, and I prayed no wreck or engine failure would occur while in it or to happen up on another misfortune within the tunnell's tomb....

anon (adsl-70-248-238-43.dsl.hstntx.sbcglobal.net): 24th Jan 2008 - 20:42 GMT

I was born in Houston, Texas in 1952 and growing up I would ride with my grandfather to take my grandmother to work through the Washburn Tunnel. But I never knew it was under water until I spoke to my mom who now lives in Arizona. I was shocked. If I had known this when I had to take my grandson to a football training camp this past summer, I don't think I would have gone through it. Its a scary but fasinating thought. It makes me think of how Moses parted the red sea. I am a part of history!

Annette.

L.Barry: 26th Feb 2008 - 01:26 GMT

I have drove through it many of times because it was a handy route to go instead of the Ship Channel Bridge. It was far better than that Dark and dingy old Baytown tunnel which I always hated to drive through it. Thank Goodness they replaced it with that bridge.It took them long enough waiting for that South African steel to arrive, them were the days.

Rudy: 19th Mar 2008 - 17:55 GMT

FROM THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE - March 18, 2008:
As of April 14, 2008, large trucks with more than two axles will no longer be allowed to travel through the Washburn Tunnel. Lately, large trucks often scrape the sides or top of the tunnel, knocking off tiles. The daily debris picked up by tunnel personnel includes mirrors, pieces of metal and sometimes even furniture that have done damage to other vehicles, and have costed thousands of dollars to repair the tunnel.
If you are interested in reading the full article from the Houston Chronicle, this is the link to the page: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/5631308.html
Just copy and paste into your browser, and find out more information on this latest development concerning the infamous Washburn Tunnel!

james r manuel: 11th Apr 2008 - 08:51 GMT

My Dad worked as an electrician on the when it was built.

Diane Ferguson: 28th Apr 2008 - 14:49 GMT

I haven't driven or riden through the tunnel in many many years, First went through it as a child of 4 yrs. right after it was opened... I was in awe each time we went though it. Mom would tell us how much water was above us...