Free Expression Tunnel

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The Free Expression Tunnel is the longest, widest, and most heavily used pedestrian tunnel under the railroad tracks at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina (also goes under Yarbrough Drive). The special aspect of the tunnel is that anyone is permitted to decorate its walls, ceiling, and floor. The tunnel connects NCSU's North Campus with the Central Campus and provides the most direct route from the The Brickyard to the Central Campus residence halls. Clubs, fraternities, sororities, and other organizations often paint the tunnel to promote events and amateur artists paint to express themselves and to promote freedom of speech. A retaining wall just outside the tunnel's south entrance is also open for free expression. The tunnel was open to free expression in the 1960s and was the university's response to illegal graffiti. The "service tunnel" itself was opened to pedestrian traffic in 1931, as denoted by a plaque at the north entrance.

Fans of other universities' sports teams often come to the Free Expression Tunnel before and sometimes after big athletic events to paint the tunnel with their teams' athletic colors as part of a prank. Carolina Tar Heel fans have a long history of doing this prank, and East Carolina University fans have painted the tunnel in the past.

The tunnel is subject to flooding during massive torrential rains. Waters rose to a height of 60 inches after a storm in July 2003. ^[1]

For the Spring 2005-2006 semester, the Free Expression Tunnel was closed for repairs and the installation of handicap ramps. The tunnel reopened in the winter of 2006 with a re-dedication ceremony, which unveiled a new plaque at the tunnel's north entrance expressing the brief history of the tunnel and its purpose. Prior to the renovations, the space available for free expression was much larger at both ends. ^[2]

[edit] See also

• Carolina-NC State rivalry
• North Carolina State University Main Campus

[edit] References

1. ^ NCSU: CHASS: Photo Essay of Free Expression Tunnel
2. ^ Technician - Free Expression Tunnel Open (May 5, 2006)

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