How The Fort Pitt Tunnel Fueled Pittsburgh's Renaissance

Driving through the Fort Pitt tunnel and watching the city’s golden bridge and bright skyline unfold in front of you isn’t just a magical Pittsburgh experience — it was essential to our city’s renaissance in the 1950s.

In August 1957, workers began drilling the 3,614-foot portals through Mount Washington, also known as “Coal Hill.” It took three years and cost $17 million. In September 1960, the first car drove through with Mayor Joseph Barr and Gov. David L. Lawrence.

When the Pirates called up Willie Stargel in 1962, he said this about his first impression of Pittsburgh: "Last night, coming in from the airport, we came through the tunnel and the city opened up its arms and I felt at home."

The infrastructure and its design is dramatic and unique. On January 3, 1988, the New York Times published an article by Paul Goldberger who wrote "Pittsburgh is the only city in America with an entrance."

Its name obviously comes from Fort Pitt, the historic grounds where British forces built their fort between 1759 and 1761. But before I was even old enough to learn about the French and Indian War, I heard “Fort Pitt” in my family’s everyday vernacular. “That’s it, Fort Pitt!” means “that’s all” or “there you have it!” It actually comes from a Fort Pitt Beer ad in the 1940s.