With the public transit push, why not get it operating and get access to the rail lines too? It's already there, just get it goin. You already have carpool/bus lots in operation on the outskirts, it only makes sense to use the other end of it.
I got walk through the entire tunnel during the grand opening in the 90s. Thought it was cool at the time when I was just a kid. Still remember it every time I drive through there 😁
This was a part of the original light rail system that was voted out. The light rail system we have today has been redesigned and did not include this. They originally had a sign posted on the chain lake fence entrance saying future light rail.
Native to AZ and I can remember when they built park tunnel and connected I -10 to Phoenix. Before tunnel you had to take Van Buren or Buckeye Rd west about 10 miles to connect with I -10 to get to California. When I was a kid I -17 was the only freeway in Phoenix. It was two lanes north and south bound with orange tree in middle of freeway as a protective barrier, now they use concrete walls, lol.
I-10 was built to 27th avenue or thereabouts and opened early in 1984. The 'Stack' interchange and the section between there and east Phoenix (at the I-17 'split') was the only part of I-10 nationwide that had not been completed - that stretch of I-10 including the Deck Park Tunnel was opened to traffic on August 10, 1990, completing the nationwide interstate.
It would be nice to actually use this thing. I’m mad how they abandoned it! We could have had a cool bus station under there or even better run light rail in this.
Honestly they need to run an Elevated track right down I-17's center concerte wall branching off and down to different streets like exits do at the overpasses.
@@TransitAndTeslas Oh interesting I must have missed that. I know they wanted to run it into Glendale (where I live), but the city had some issue with it IIRC going down Glendale Ave. Do you have any links by any chance I can read abou the I-17 plan?
PHX is an evil based city, not the residents but the ones in charge.psy attention to all the symbol( freeway walls, PHX rising snakes, purple lights, etc). Corporations run this place, Scottsdale, Tempe 2
How interesting. I'm a Phoenix native but moved in 1990 as construction of the tunnels had just barely started and thus I never heard of this other one They would have needed a lot of ventilation to avoid people being overcome by diesel exhaust fumes from multiple buses under there.
You probably have fonder memories of the Phoenix Valley back then than what you'd see or have in the Phoenix area now. How long did you live in Arizona before you left?
Why not use it to house homeless people? It would get them out of the hot sun and I’m sure it’s a lot cooler down there. Let’s put all that empty space to use.
The residents of Phoenix need to be refunded the money wasted on that part of the tunnel or, Put it to use and I don't mean turn it into a jail either.
I've always known about that tunnel, I've always wondered why they never opened it. But, i did research it years ago and i wished they would have made it a bus depot like they planned years ago, that would have been very cool!
For a bus terminal it has to have bathrooms, waiting ares, etc. (In better places even rest-areas, bedrooms for overnight at cut rates - Like it was standard in the USSR)
It's a shame they didn't follow through with the bus stop but then again I can only imagine what an extra bottle neck that might cause at an already bad traffic area if busses were trying to merge back onto the freeway from the fast lane.
Probably cause of the gate, I assume it's closed and locked usually, I think the place where people are working it mentioned is also probably pretty close.
You are forgetting about needing to add things like: HVAC , Water , Sewage , actual rooms and all of the other stuff that makes it a habitable space. Are you also taking into account the noise factor?
Since they took out the Central Station City Bus terminal in downtown Phoenix, ADOT can put this into it's attended use as the new Central Bus Station terminal.
Yes I definitely know about this lol. I remember asking my parents when we would drive through the tunnel. I would ask them what this was and if we could go inside.
It could be a good idea but there'd still need to be a lot of work done to have it ready and safe, plus a way to get them and workers down there safely. I doubt it'll ever happen.
They should have a drive thur Starbucks there. Alot of people dont have time for Starbucks in the morning cause all the traffic, now imagine getting it while on the freeway. And a passthur if the line is too long and you dont wanna wait
Hopefully they locked out the fan before going in front of it!! The fans are likely activated if level of CO in tunnel gets too high, also (in addition to other reasons given).
That was a very interesting news clip maybe someday redo the whole thing and maybe start from scraps and maybe have a new floor plan in the future just a thought
Phoenix has a rather large complex of underground facilities that often go unnoticed. I was privileged enough to witness these many of these locations first hand as a small boy. My father had what you would essentially call a "key to the city". Unfortunately, I cannot divulge any more information as to the whereabouts of these subterranean locations. Many of which are closely guarded secrets that should and shall remain a secret for the foreseeable future. Sadly, we just cannot trust the public anymore. Stay classy my friends.
