Guajataca Tunnel

Guajataca Tunnel is a railroad tunnel that connected the town of Isabela and Quebradillas, Puerto Rico. The tunnel is one of the most significant work of the remnants of the national railway system that connected the island during the first half of the twentieth century.[1] In 2000, the Government of Puerto Rico declared it a historical monument.[1]

Isabela Puerto Rico-Guajataca Tunnel-Construction circa 1904–1905

History

The American Railroad Co. of Puerto Rico began construction of the tunnel around 1904 during the expansion of the northern line towards the west of the island. The tunnel connected the towns of Quebradillas and Isabela on the Guajataca River canyon. The construction was completed with the excavation of two tunnels on each side of the canyon. They were joined by a steel viaduct 250 feet (76.2 m) long at an elevation of 131 feet (40 m) above the river level.[1][2]

The tunnel is open to the public but it is fairly isolated.[3] The tunnel leads to "Guajataca beach" known for its white sand, raging surf, and dangerous turbulent waters.[4]

Concerts are sometimes held at the Guajataca Tunnel.[5] In 2019, virtual tours of Guajataca Tunnel, were organized by Discover Puerto Rico, the marketing arm of the Puerto Rico Department of Tourism.[6]

  • American Railroad Company, Guajataca
    American Railroad Company, Guajataca
  • The entrance to the tunnel in 2018
    The entrance to the tunnel in 2018
  • Small structure at the start of the trail that leads to the tunnel
    Small structure at the start of the trail that leads to the tunnel
  • Guajataca Tunnel, c. 1910–1920
    Guajataca Tunnel, c. 1910–1920
  • Train Bridge (Steel Viaduct) Connecting the Guajataca Tunnel, Isabela-Quebradillas, Puerto Rico, circa 1904
    Train Bridge (Steel Viaduct) Connecting the Guajataca Tunnel, Isabela-Quebradillas, Puerto Rico, circa 1904
  • View of the coastline of Quebradillas, Puerto Rico near the tunnel entrance
    View of the coastline of Quebradillas, Puerto Rico near the tunnel entrance

See also

References
  1. "Para declarar monumento histórico el Túnel de Guajataca del Municipio de Isabela" (in Spanish). LexJuris. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
  2. "Tunel de Guajataca". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  3. "In Photos: Puerto Rico's Most Beautiful Sites". Travel + Leisure. 29 March 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  4. Frommer's Portable Puerto Rico. 2007. pp. 183. ISBN 0-470-10052-4.
  5. "June Events in Puerto Rico". Discovering Puerto Rico. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  6. "Discover Puerto Rico First to Offer Live Guided Tours Through Google Earth". Caribbean Business. 30 April 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
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