Binnian Tunnel facts for kids
The Binnian Tunnel is a long tunnel located deep under the Mourne Mountains. These mountains are in County Down, Northern Ireland. The tunnel is about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) long. It was built to move water from the Annalong Valley. This water then flows into the Silent Valley Reservoir. The tunnel gets its name from Slieve Binnian, a mountain it passes under.
Contents
Building the Binnian Tunnel
Building the Binnian Tunnel was a big job. It took place between 1947 and 1951. About 150 workers were involved in this project. They split into two teams. Each team started digging from opposite ends of the tunnel.
How the Teams Met
The two teams worked hard, digging towards each other. They met in the middle on December 6, 1950. This meeting point was almost 800 meters (about half a mile) under the mountain's surface. It's amazing that they were only a few inches off! This shows how skilled the engineers and workers were.
Digging Through Rock
Workers built the tunnel using special methods. They used drilling and blasting techniques. This means they drilled holes into the rock. Then, they used explosives to break the rock apart. This helped them dig through the tough mountain. Shelters for the workers can still be found on Slievenaglogh mountain.
Purpose and Size of the Tunnel
The Binnian Tunnel was designed for a very important job. It helps supply clean water to many homes. The tunnel can carry a huge amount of water. It moves about 90 million imperial gallons (409 million liters) of water every day.
Tunnel Dimensions
The tunnel is quite large inside. It is about 7 feet (2.1 meters) high. It is also 8 feet (2.4 meters) wide. This size allows a lot of water to flow through it. The tunnel was officially opened in August 1952. It has been working ever since to provide water.
See also
In Spanish: Túnel Binnian para niños
