Lighthouse Tunnel
| Lighthouse Tunnel | |
|---|---|
North entrance, underneath the offices of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration South entrance, underneath the Stanton Center | |
| Overview | |
| Other name | Custom House Tunnel |
| Location | Monterey, California |
| Route | Lighthouse Avenue |
| Start | 36°36′17″N 121°53′41″W / 36.6046°N 121.8948°W |
| End | 36°36′08″N 121°53′36″W / 36.6022°N 121.8933°W |
| Operation | |
| Constructed | January 10, 1967 |
| Opened | April 5, 1968 |
| Technical | |
| No. of lanes | 4 |
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Lighthouse Tunnel, also known as Lighthouse Avenue Tunnel, or Custom House Tunnel,[1] is the only vehicular road tunnel in the Monterey Peninsula. It was constructed as a cut-and-cover tunnel, and displaced over 100 downtown businesses and homes during its construction.[2] It runs along Lighthouse Avenue, directly underneath the Stanton Center and Custom House Plaza, which is bounded by Old Custom House and the Pacific House Museum, and it exits near the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration offices. The mayor of Monterey at the time of its construction was Minnie Coyle, and locals called the tunnel at the time Minnie's Ditch, upset at the era of urban renewal.[3][4] This tunnel is part of the main thoroughfare from Seaside to New Monterey. People moving to the area or visiting are often confused why drivers honk in the tunnel, which has been a tradition since its construction.[5] The federal government allocated $11 million (equivalent to 81 million in 2024[6]) for the project in 1966.[7] Mayor Coyle dedicated the tunnel on April 5, 1968.[8] The tunnel is part of the route of the Monterey Bay Half Marathon, one of the only parts of the year where pedestirans are allowed to enter.[9]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Monterey Peninsula Glossary". www.montereypeninsula.info. Retrieved September 16, 2026.
- ↑ New Monterey: Historic Context Statement and Reconnaissance Survey Monterey, California (PDF). San Francisco, California: Architectural Resources Group. August 2013. pp. 83–84 – via City of Monterey.
- ↑ Rubin, Sara (September 28, 2017). "Monterey's tunnel turns 50, and its underground passageways remain an engineering marvel". Monterey County Now. Retrieved September 16, 2026.
- ↑ Schmalz, David (October 30, 2025). "The story of a failed shopping mall on Monterey's waterfront held promise in the past, and holds potential in the future". Monterey County Now. Retrieved September 16, 2026.
- ↑ Copitch, Josh (November 24, 2020). "Monterey beeping tunnel tradition continues to bewilder transplants". KSBW-TV. Retrieved September 16, 2026.
- ↑ Johnston, Louis; Williamson, Samuel H. (2023). "What Was the U.S. GDP Then?". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved November 30, 2023. United States Gross Domestic Product deflator figures follow the MeasuringWorth series.
- ↑ "Funds approved for Monterey tunnel" (PDF). Architecture/West. October 1966. p. 4 – via USModernist.
- ↑ "Looking back: Heading through Custom House tunnel, 1968". Monterey Herald. June 16, 2019. Retrieved September 16, 2026.
- ↑ "Course Tour". Monterey Bay Half Marathon. Retrieved September 16, 2026.
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