Eyesore Lansdowne Tunnel Slated for Closure

At the of the Lansdowne Improvement Association, Del. James Malone announced that a logjam had been broken in efforts to resolve a long-standing problem--a tunnel that runs beneath Hammonds Ferry Road and the CSX tracks to connect with a dead-end segment of Sulphur Spring Road.

Owned by CSX, the . Efforts by to deal with the nuisance have been frustrated. Despite many promised and false starts, the tunnel remains open.

Malone announced that an agreement had been reached with CSX to close the tunnel off to the public.

"We hope to have this done by the end of the year," he said.

Ellen Kobler, spokesperson for county executive Kevin Kamenetz, said that specific plans and schedules have not yet been determined.

Once a design for a gate or closure is proposed, it must be approved by the county's Department of Public Works, according to Kobler. The design must allow CSX periodic access to inspect the tunnel.

"We're working with [CSX] on an exact timetable," Kobler said. "Once we have approval [from CSX], we will move quickly."

Malone said CSX will also spend about $10,000 for new fencing along Hammonds Ferry Road to prevent people from crossing the tracks in Lansdowne.

Some residents voices skepticism that the long-fought battle to have the tunnel closed may be won at last.

"I'll believe it when I see it," said LIA board member Chris Koloski.

Note: This article has been edited to correct the approval process of the closure. A previous version said that approval would be sought from the Department of Public Works.