#284 Queensway Tunnel: The Miracle Under the Mersey

Engineering Matters

When the Queensway Tunnel opened on 18^th July 1934 King George V declared it a miracle. At 3.4km long and with a 13.4m internal diameter it was the world’s longest subaqueous tunnel and the largest municipal engineering project that had ever been undertaken in the UK. The project pushed the boundaries of engineering design and construction from its use of advanced grouting techniques to development of a mechanical erector for placing the cast iron segments that lined the tunnel.

“I thank all those who have achieved this miracle. I praise the imagination that foresaw, the minds that planned, the skill that fashioned, the will that drove, and the strong arms that endeavoured in the bringing of this work to completion.”

King George V, 18^th July 1934

Guests

Colin Dever, technical services manager, Merseytravel, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

Ray Langley, divisional director – north west, Mott MacDonald

Guna Rajadurai, account director utility tunnels, Mott MacDonald

Alison Smith, leisure and attractions officer, Merseytravel

Andy Thompson, tunnel design manager – east coast, Mott MacDonald

Partner

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management and development consultancy focussed on improving society by considering social outcomes and relentlessly focussing on excellence and digital innovation. Its predecessor firm Mott, Hay and Anderson designed the Queensway Tunnel.

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