You Just Have To Love Brockville Tunnel
The former Brockville railway tunnel does not seem the obvious choice for a fun visit?
But do not tell that to the people and now the many tourists who call into the delightful small city of Brockville in Ontario, Canada.
A busy Brockville Tunnel in Canada.
The cheerful ambience of Canada’s first ever railway tunnel today pulls in visitors and residents alike who can enjoy the wonderful but often wet walk through half kilometre long construction.
Entertained by the ever changing lightshow that paints the brick and craggy stone walls. With the roof too with some Canadian pop star’s music your audio accompaniment . As you take a saunter through the tunnel.
Brockville Tunnel was opened to the public in 2017, after the walls and roof were repaired and secured for visitors to use.
The South entrance to Brockville Tunnel, Canada.
It is now open 7 days a week from 9am until 9pm. Also the area around it has been landscaped as part of the project.
Taking A Liabilty And Turning It Into An Asset
Taking what was once probably a liability to the community. The town of Brockville now has created a really different tourism asset.
Used also as an entertaining and corporate space at times. I wonder how many tourist towns could use this example and improve and diversify their own facilities?
The water dripping through parts of the walls and roof make lovey patterns.
Built and completed in 1860 for the Brockville and Ottawa Railway and later transferred to the Canadian Pacific Railway. It was then acquired by the City of Brockville in 1983.
Just over a half a kilometre long (1722 feet). The tunnel now features a smooth concrete walk way along its length and an excellent state-of-the-art LED lighting system. The light show is programmable and tries to highlight the tunnel’s engineering, architectural, and geological features.
Just above would be King Street, Brockville.
As you progress under the city of Brockville signs point out streets you are walking directly underneath. And also the depth under them too!
Restoration of the tunnel commenced in the summer of 2016. All in order for it to be completed as part of Brockville’s Canada 150 birthday celebration.
Umbrella’s at the ready and they bring in yet more colour!
Attracting around 30,000 visitors each year to this St Lawrence river side town. Which does have all round appeal to tourists visiting the 1,000 Islands area of the river.
Dining in the tunnel is according to one top local caterer easy as long as you set the tables in the key positions. Where they can dodge the water dripping from the roof as it does most of the time.
Walls and roof painted with colour at Brockville Tunnel, Canada.
Access is great for all. However, because of the fairly constant dripping of water a hat or umbrella is certainly de rigueur!
The walkway therefore does become quite slippery in some areas but do not miss a visit as you will come out ecstatic from this excavation!
