Traffic is shut down on Veteran’s Way at College Avenue after a deteriorating tunnel caused unsafe street conditions.

“The tunnel is very intricate with lots of utilities that supply electricity and steam,” said Phil Johnson, project manager at WSU, “and the cars could possibly damage some of the utilities.”

Dan Costello, assistant vice president for Facilities Services, said the reason behind much of the deterioration is the age of the tunnels, which were built in the 1960s.

“The moisture caused by the rain created freezes, which in turn created many small cracks on the tunnel,” Costello said.
Pedestrians are still allowed to use the street, but it will be closed for cars until this summer when the tunnel is repaired. Costello said the cost of repairs is not yet known.

According to the WSU News website, NE College Avenue has been closed since early last week from the top of the hill at Spokane Street down to Spring Street, due to the same concern that structural problems with the tunnel could be unsafe for traffic.