Colorado’s Eisenhower Tunnel Is More Amazing Than You Think

Every time I drive through Colorado’s Eisenhower Tunnel, I notice something new. When you think about it, so much is going on inside the tunnel that we never see. Inside the mountain, 162 cameras are monitored, 27 enormous ventilation fans are standing ready, and a dedicated fire brigade is prepared to respond if something goes wrong.

CDOT describes the tunnel as a round-the-clock operation, and it’s videos like the one below that help remind us how special the route is and how many people it takes to keep traffic moving through the Rocky Mountains.

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The Eisenhower Tunnel Is Basically a Small City Underground

Check out the video above from CDOT. There really is a small city underneath the mountain. While it only takes a few minutes to drive through EJMT, the operation hiding out of sight is tremendous. CDOT says the facility has 27 ventilation fans, 162 cameras, its own electrical and water systems, a wastewater treatment plant, and a 24/7 control center. It’s been open since 1973 at about 11,112 feet above sea level, almost as high as the top of the Crag Crest Trail on Grand Mesa.

There Is a Fire Brigade Waiting Inside the Mountain

One of the scariest things you can encounter while driving over the mountains is a car fire inside a tunnel. Thankfully, CDOT does not have to wait for an outside fire department if there is trouble at EJMT. It’s one of the coolest facts people aren’t always aware of: a dedicated 22-member brigade is on hand to protect motorists with a fire truck and a tow truck. The firefighters also work with a fixed fire-suppression system that can attack a major fire within minutes.

Why a Few Minutes of Driving Through EJMT Matters to Colorado

Did you know around 35,000 vehicles drive through the tunnels every day? The tunnel is a vital I-70 connection across the Continental Divide, carrying commuters, travelers, and freight between the state’s major regions. CDOT estimates that when the I-70 Mountain Corridor closes, even for an hour, it can cost the state nearly $2 million. We better send CDOT a Christmas card this year.

LOOK: 23 Random Facts You May Not Know About the Eisenhower Tunnel

We have a birthday boy. The Eisenhower Tunnel opened to the public on March 8, 1973. That's right, the tunnel is celebrating its 50th birthday. Here's a look at a handful of random facts about this engineering masterpiece courtesy of Peak 1 Express, Summit Daily, and Easy Science For Kids.

Gallery Credit: Waylon Jordan

NEXT: Things You Can't Take Through Colorado's Eisenhower Tunnel at Any Time

It goes without saying there are things you shouldn't take through a 1.69-mile tunnel. When it comes to Colorado's Eisenhower Tunnel, some materials have to take the alternate route over Loveland Pass. What happens when Loveland Pass is closed due to severe weather?

When it comes to some materials, they will shut down traffic at Eisenhower Tunnel so trucks transporting shipments of hazardous material can pass. This happens frequently. There are, however, certain materials that are "... not allowed through the Eisenhower Tunnels at any time." According to cotrip.org, these explosive, poisonous, and in some cases, radioactive materials cannot be transported through the tunnels.

Gallery Credit: Waylon Jordan