1972: Music and a Motorcade Mark the Opening of a Tunnel in Ontario

May 20, 1972

In Canada’s province of Ontario, a vehicular tunnel in the city of Welland was formally opened. This tunnel, which is part of East Main Street in the city, carries both Niagara Road 27 and the unsigned designation of Highway 7146 beneath the longstanding Welland Canal. The Main Street Tunnel also serves as a link between Ontario Highway 406 on the west side of the canal and Ontario Highway 140 on the east side of that waterway.

The debut of the Main Street Tunnel on a Monday morning featured three open convertibles that transported local dignitaries through the new structure. These dignitaries included Allan Pietz (1925-2021), who was mayor of Welland from 1965 to 1978; and his wife Alice Jean Pietz (1930-2014). Those three convertibles were followed into the tunnel by a motorcade of approximately 30 other automobiles.

All these vehicles were led by members of the Welland Carolettes Baton Club and Welland Police Association Pipe Band. As these groups prepared to enter the Main Street Tunnel at its east side, the pipe band performed the 19^th century ballad The Old Rustic Bridge by the Mill. That day’s edition of the Welland-based Evening Tribune reported, “Groups of onlookers, many of them taking pictures, waited at both sides of the tunnel, and at various places along the parade route.”

This newspaper also confirmed that, aside from the lengthy procession of individuals and automobiles, there was little if any fanfare to help commemorate the inauguration of the Main Street Tunnel. “There were no ceremonies, or addresses by any of the officials, for today’s occasion,” stated the Evening Tribune. “The only indication, at the scene, of this morning’s opening, was a banner strung across the easterly approach to the tunnel, reading ‘Greater Welland Chamber of Commerce Welcomes You.’”

The Main Street Tunnel has a total of four lanes – two in each direction – for vehicular traffic. In addition, there is a sidewalk in the westbound portion of the tunnel for pedestrian use.

Photo Credit: Public Domain

For more information on the Main Street Tunnel, please check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Street_Tunnel