CL&N RR Tunnel

This tunnel was built by the Cincinnati, Lebanon, &Northern Railroad in 1881. It measures about 1/3 mile in length with a19ft. bore and originally served two narrow gauge tracks but was laterconverted to single track standard gauge. The north portal is located underthe NE corner of Oak St. and May St., 2 blocks east of Bethesda Hospitaland 1 block east of I-71. The tunnel emerges in a cut between William HowardTaft and McMillan St., just 20-30ft. east of the McMillan to N 71 ramp.There is a short underpass of identical brick construction perhaps 100ft.in length under McMillan. The south approach to the tunnel ascends a 3.4%grade but the tunnel itself is level.

In the 1920's this line generated more freight in a 5mile stretch than any other in the Cincinnati area. This was a main reasonwhy the line and right-of-way could not be purchased for completion ofthe city's RapidTransit Loop . Additionally, the single track would have created abottleneck in the system. One 1927 proposal called for building a double-trackel over the line for the Rapid Transit Loop, however the line would havehad to diverge from the existing railroad alignment in the tunnel vicinity.

The tunnel was still in operation when I-71 was constructed,or else it probably would have been filled in. Many have seen the abandonedrailroad overpass over I-71 opposite the old Natural History Museum onGilbert Ave., which was part of this same line. The line passed I-71 againnorth of the tunnel, just north of the Blair Ave. overpass, and the bridgeis still there. The right-of-way has been purchased by SORTA, and willprobably be used by the new I-71 light rail line north of Dana Ave northto Kenwood Rd. The CL&N tunnel is still in good shape and can be visitedon foot, but is impractical for transit use for the same reasons as in1927.  Reaching the tunnel is quite difficult during the summer becauseof the dense undergrowth and steep hills at each of the portals. The north portal is the easier of the two to reach, and tunnel is justbarely short enough to walk through without a flash light, but I recommendtaking one.
 

This satellite image shows the location of the tunneland short McMillan St. underpass to the south.  I-71 is located atcenter.  Gilbert Ave. in bottom right corner and Reading Rd./BurnettAve. fork at left edge.  The McMillan St. underpass can be clearlyseen in the winter when driving on I-71 north.  During the summerit is blocked by high grass and bushes.
 
 
 

1. CL&NTunnel Photos

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