Original end date for the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel was only 5 years from now

Tunnel was considered an engineering marvel back in 1930

When the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel opened, it was the only international underwater tunnel in the world. That was exactly 95 years ago as of Monday.

Today, it remains the busiest border crossing between the Ontario and Michigan cities for passenger vehicles, with 12,000 crossings daily, according to Windsor-Detroit Borderlink, which runs the Canadian side of the tunnel.

Construction on the 2.6-kilometre crossing took 26 weeks, and the project was considered an engineering feat for its time.

Tal Czudner, CEO of Windsor-Detroit Borderlink, said very precise measurements were used in the construction. Enormous cylinders were lowered into a path that was dredged out in the riverbed, and the cylinders had to be connected and then covered.

“The legend has it that the measuring was so precise that there was only about two inches of difference when they had to connect the cylinders together,” Czudner said.

Thousands worked on the tunnel, including some whose descendants carried on the tradition.

Czudner explained that four generations of the one family — the Gendreaus — have been employees, starting with Eugene, who helped build the tunnel and then worked in maintenance.

“We have never been open without a Gendreau working,” he said.

Czudner said the tunnel was supposed to last for 100 years, but in recent decades, Windsor and Detroit decided to invest to extend its life.

“The idea is [it will last] 55 years from today at least,” said Czudner, adding he expects the cities to continue to invest to keep the tunnel going after that.

To mark the occasion, Czudner said staff will be giving away some free tolls and swag on Monday.

Source: CBC