Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel

Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel in Zion National Park, Utah is a tunnel that allows cars to pass through a mountain. The tunnel is 5,613 feet, which runs through Pine Creek Canyon wall. It has a distance of 21 feet from the outside face of the rock to the center of the tunnel. On the west side is a masonry façade which was cut from the sandstone. The east side is a natural hole in the rock that connects to a bridge.

The construction of the tunnel was through mining techniques, which started with a stope and then worked out towards the edges. The tunnel has galleries in order to offer light and ventilation in the canyon wall. It has been repaired a few times over the years, especially since construction began on the tunnel in 1927. It was completed in 1930. The tunnel is located along Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, which links Zion to Grand Canyon National Park. The highway running through Mount Carmel is US 89, which is part of Utah State Route 9. The road is actually part of a loop tour from Zion, Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks to the north side of Grand Canyon National Park.