By Lynda Myer
The Clyde Tunnel started construction in 1957, cost £10.5m – the equivalent of £180m in 2023 – and took six years to build.
On July 3, 1963, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip opened it, and yesterday, a whole batch of never-before-seen photographs have been released to celebrate 60 years.
It remains the only road tunnel in Scotland, and more than its 60-year run, it has helped over 25 million vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians get where they need to go.
For the first time now, the public can see the story of the Clyde Tunnel captured by the photographs and have been collated by the Scottish Roads Archive.
The images demonstrate the early tunneling work carried out by sixteen miners, the installation of the cladding, lighting, and ventilation, and the tunnel being used in its early days.
Viewers will also catch the surprising changes six decades of development have brought to Glasgow’s landscape since the tunnel commenced.
Glasgow City Council’s convener for neighborhood services and assets, Councilor Ruairi Kelly, has celebrated the achievements of the engineers who constructed the tunnel. He expressed: “Sixty years on, the Clyde Tunnel remains a stunning feat of engineering.
“The tunnel has been such fixture in the city’s roads network for so long, it is easy to overlook the incredible skill and commitment involved in its construction.
“The pictures that have been released highlight the significant challenges faced by those who built the tunnel. They are also a fascinating step back in time to a very different Glasgow.”
He also added: “The tunnel has now been an integral part of Glasgow’s Road system for decades and is still unique within the national network.
“We monitor and maintain the tunnel on a 24-hour-a-day basis and we are investing substantial sums to ensure it remains operational for decades to come.”
Stuart Baird of the Scottish Roads Archive pointed out: “We’re delighted to release these photos on the 60th anniversary of the Clyde Tunnel’s completion.
“The tunnel has a fascinating history behind it and remains one of the most ambitious civil engineering projects ever constructed in Scotland. It’s no surprise it’s become such a well-loved landmark.”
The tunnel has become a recognizable and much-loved feature of the city, helping daily commuters, tourists, and anyone passing through.
In addition, it popularized the game of endeavoring to hold one’s breath for the entire duration of traveling through the tunnel – which, if traffic was heavy, could be a real challenge.
Programs are continuing to be made to improve and preserve the tunnel for yet more decades to come. New lighting and CCTV have been installed in the tunnel, and an additional £3.45m is scheduled to be invested in the tunnel by 2025 to enhance features like traffic control, ventilation, and its information and alarm systems.
