Tyne Tunnel, two vehicle tunnels under the River Tyne
Tyne Tunnel is an underwater tunnel that passes beneath the River Tyne in Tyne and Wear, England, linking North Shields to Jarrow. It carries both road traffic and, through a separate passage, pedestrians and cyclists between the north and south banks.
The first tunnel opened in 1967, replacing the ferries that had long been the main way to cross the river at this point. A second tunnel was added years later to handle the growing number of vehicles using the crossing.
The Tyne Tunnel is part of everyday life for many people who live and work on both sides of the river. Crossing it feels routine to locals, but for visitors it offers a rare chance to pass directly under a major river by road.
Drivers pay a toll to use the tunnel, so it is worth checking payment options before arrival. Pedestrians and cyclists have their own dedicated entrance, separate from the vehicle lanes, which keeps the crossing straightforward for everyone.
The pedestrian tunnel that runs alongside the vehicle tunnel is one of the few places in England where you can walk beneath a navigable river. The curved shape of the tunnel tube becomes visible as you move through it, giving a sense of the depth below.
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