This Day in 1968: 3rd Street Tunnel Reopened

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — On June 18th, 1968, the 3rd street tunnel reopened to traffic after a nine month closure in which the tunnel was extended 118 feet. The work was part of $22.8 million in public works projects done for Bunker Hill redevelopment.

A Times report from the occasion noted that "A 1919 fire engine with Mayor Sam Yorty and city and Community Redevelopment Agency officials aboard was the first vehicle through the new facility which will carry one-way westbound traffic."

The tunnel was originally opened in 1901. The contracts for this tunnel and the Broadway tunnel were given out simultaneously, and there was a competition to see which would open first. The Broadway tunnel has since been removed.

In 1983 the tunnel again saw a lengthy closure, this time for eight months as work was done to replace the tunnel's center section as part of the construction of California Plaza above.