Lansdowne Tunnel Closure Merits Tepid Praise

Lansdowne residents expressed praise--tempered with frustration and disappointment--that beneath Hammonds Ferry Road and the CSX rail line was finally sealed by a county work crew in late November.

"The Lansdowne Improvement Association is delighted with the tunnel closure," said LIA president Brian Bailey. "We believe it will decrease vandalism along the Hammonds Ferry Road corridor. Local business owners and residents alike are happy with the closure."

The closure marked the end of a logjam with county and state officials and CSX dating 20 years or more, according to residents.

Running 120 feet, the tunnel was built in 1967 to provide pedestrians a safe route across the CSX tracks. "It was never used for that purpose," said LA board member Christine Koloski.

Instead, the tunnel provided a sheltered place for criminal activty and turned into an unpleasant spot strewn with litter and reeking of urine. More seriously, the tunnel created a convenient escape route for evading the police.

"Somebody could be doing something in Lansdowne, and go through the tunnel as soon as they see a police car," said Pete Kriscumas, aide to councilman Tom Quirk, who made closing the tunnel a campaign promise in 2010.

The tunnel was sealed at both ends with a concrete-block wall and heavy steel door, and completed for about $12,000. The door was necessary, according to officlals, to permit periodic inspection of the tunnel.

"I'm extremely happy," said Jackie Jones, owner of the Corner Florist shop next to the tunnel. "It's been a long time coming. I'm optimistic that this will work."

Some residents are disheartened that the tunnel wasn't enclosed in such a way that eliminates all access. As is, the only thing that limits access to a stairwell and the sheltered area at the bottom of the steps is a steel pipe with a "no tresspassing" sign.

"We're really, really happy that this is finally done," said Koloski. "We're kind of disappointed because we thought it would be closed off at the top of the stairs."

Aside from the lingering odor of the tunnel, also remaining are concrete walls covered in graffiti. Kriscumas said that the county plans to address the graffiti and is studying the best way to clean or repaint the walls.

Getting the tunnel closed "has been a very long and frustrating experience," said Koloski, who credits Delegate James E. Malone, Jr., for giving the stalled project momentum.

"Jimmy [Malone] listened, took the ball and ran with it," Koloski said. "If it weren't for him, I dont't think this would be done at this point."

Bailey credited County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, Malone, Quirk, former councilman Sam Moxley, Kriscumas, Sharon DaBoin, and Gary and Chris Koloski.

"Many people worked together to achieve the desired result," Bailey said. "And while it took a while for this to be accomplished, it is a true testament to the fact that local community leaders working with our local elected officials can accomplish things for the greater benefit of Lansdowne."