East Side Railroad Tunnel

The East Side Railroad Tunnel is on the East Side of Providence, Rhode Island. It was opened on November 16, 1908, at a cost of $2 million. It runs 5080ft, under College Hill, from Gano Street to Benefit Street and is currently abandoned and sealed, but a project has been suggested to reuse it for either rail or bus use.HistoryConstructionThe tunnel was first envisioned in 1903 as a more direct connection to the old Union Station, in the center of Providence. Construction on the tunnel started in May 1906. One crew worked east from the Benefit Street entrance, and one worked west from the Gano Street entrance. The crews met on April 6, 1908, beneath Cooke St, one day earlier than expected, and their alignments were off by only 3/8". A total of nearly 200000cuyd of material was excavated. The tunnel was opened on November 15, 1908.The project also included the Crook Point Bascule Bridge over the Seekonk River. The entire cost of the project, including the bridge, the tunnel, and the approach to Union Station, was $2 million.The tunnel allowed the closing of the Fox Point railroad station, which had served the city for 73 years.PortalsThe east portal is in Gano Street Park near the intersection of Gano Street and Amy Street. The west portal is adjacent to a parking lot, about 500 feet north of the west portal of the East Side Trolley Tunnel. The closest intersection is North Main Street and Thomas Street.