Main Street Tunnel
Main Street Tunnel | |
|---|---|
 West approach to the tunnel, just outside Welland | |
| Coordinates | 42°59′36″N 79°13′00″W / 42.9932°N 79.2167°W |
| Carries | 4 lanes of traffic |
| Crosses | Welland Canal |
| Locale | Welland, Ontario |
| History | |
| Opened | May 20, 1972 |
| Location | |
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The Main Street Tunnel, located in Welland, Ontario, Canada, is an underwater tunnel, carrying Niagara Road 27 and the unsigned designation of Highway 7146 under the Welland Canal. It is named as a part of East Main Street.
The tunnel links Highway 406 (headed north to St. Catharines) on the west side of the canal to Highway 140 (headed south to Port Colborne) on the east side. The Niagara Road 27 also provides a connection from Welland eastward to Niagara Falls.
The structure was built as a part of the Welland By-Pass project. Its construction was relatively easy since, like the Townline Tunnel, it was being built at the same time as the channel above it and a simple cut and cover method could be used. The construction cost was $13 million. The tunnel was officially opened on May 20, 1972.
The tunnel provides four lanes for traffic, two in each direction, separated by a full-height concrete wall. There is also a sidewalk for pedestrian use in the westbound section.