Posted by Adam White In fact, as one who engages in spelunking of caves and old mines, I am shocked that the remant of the tunnel was left open so long after the Bonaventure foundation was complete. Usually such tunnels are quickly closed off and destroyed. And, contrary to what many seem to believe, the "art" of Toluca Yard only served to seal its fate, for this "art" is seen by city leaders and developers as inner-city blight, not something to save. It is sad that this tunnel is gone, but the fault lies in Los Angelinos taking too little action far too late. The move to rapid transit accomplished by New York, London, Paris, and even Washington, D.C., was quashed in Los Angeles by shortsided leaders and lethargic citizens beginning in the late 1950s and continuing, strongly, even today. The tunnel's demise, and the purpose for which it was intended and should still be used, is the fault of each of us. May we learn for our mistakes and join the rest of the world's major cities in getting out of our cars and into the subways.
on 3/16/2005, 4:45 pm
64.246.58.26
Each day I drive past the old P.E. Tunnel portal on my way to work. Until recently, I'd often wondered for what the tunnel had been used. After researching the matter, I believe the start of the end of the tunnel happened back in the 60s when the tunnel was cut-off under Figueroa for the Bonaventure. Once all that concrete and foundation work was complete, the tunnel became--for all practical purposes--unusable.
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