Marys Rock Tunnel, Road tunnel in Shenandoah National Park, US.
Marys Rock Tunnel is a road tunnel carved through solid granite on Skyline Drive at the 32.2 mile marker in Shenandoah National Park. The passage extends roughly 670 feet and features a distinct curved profile as it cuts through the mountain ridge.
Construction of the tunnel took place in 1932 when the Civilian Conservation Corps was developing infrastructure throughout Shenandoah National Park. The project required intensive labor using explosives to blast through the granite bedrock.
The tunnel reflects the engineering skill of the Civilian Conservation Corps during the development of national park infrastructure in the 1930s. Visitors can still see the quality of the workmanship in how the granite was carefully shaped and finished.
Drivers of larger vehicles should check their measurements before entering, as the tunnel maintains a strict clearance limit of 12 feet 8 inches. This is especially important for RVs, trucks, and trailers traveling the road.
During construction, workers drilled multiple deep holes into the rock face before each blast to maximize the amount of stone removed at once. This drilling method made it possible to advance through the granite more quickly than other tunneling techniques available at the time.
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