Devil's Slide Tunnel - KQED QUEST

The coast between Pacifica and Montara is unsurpassed in scenic beauty. Carved out of the steep cliff sides, Route 1 hugs the coastline for much of the distance between these two towns. In one part, the road crosses the aptly named Devil's Slide region, a steep, unstable geological formation. This section of road has a long history of closure due to rockslides and land slippage. One of the longest road closures happened in 1995. It lasted 158 days, and cost almost $3 million to repair. It was closed again recently due to another major slide. Following many years of public input and careful evaluation of alternatives, Devil's Slide will be by-passed by two inland tunnels, providing a safe, dependable highway between Pacifica and Montara.

For those working on California's first significant highway tunnel in 43 years, it's an opportunity of a lifetime.

QUEST Radio segment air date: 3/30/07

Listen to the companion KQED-FM Radio piece on KQED QUEST and discuss it in the QUEST Science Blog.

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items are from 16 Mar 2007.