Flathead Tunnel
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Location | Lincoln County, Montana, USA |
| Coordinates | 48°33′03″N 114°57′22″W / 48.5508192°N 114.9561739°WCoordinates: 48°33′03″N 114°57′22″W / 48.5508192°N 114.9561739°W |
| Technical | |
| Length | 7.01 mi (11.28 km) |
The Flathead Tunnel is a 7.01-mile (11.3-km) railroad tunnel in the Rocky Mountains approximately 42 miles (67 km) to the west of Whitefish, Montana. It is the second-longest tunnel in the United States. Speed through the tunnel is approximately 50 mph (80 km/h).
History
The construction of Libby Dam required the relocation of 60 miles (≈100 km) of the Burlington Northern Railroad tracks, relocating the town of Rexford, MT and the building of a new tunnel which opened in 1970. The east portal has a door that can be closed and fans to ventilate the tunnel.[1] It is currently part of the BNSF Railway system and used by Amtrak's Empire Builder.
