The Pittsburgh & Steubenville Extension Railroad Tunnel, also known as the Panhandle Tunnel, was originally built for the Pittsburgh and Steubenville Extension Railroad in Pittsburgh. It officially opened for rail traffic in 1865. History The tunnel has been modified many times since it was first constructed. In the years after the construction the southern end was lengthened by to accommodate the overpass of Forbes Avenue. This new tunnel had a height of , lower than the main tunnel. The southern end was again extended around 1900 to add a sidewalk to the road. This extension lowered the height of the tunnel to the current . Light Rail The tunnel and the adjacent Panhandle Bridge were purchased by the Port Authority from Penn Central Corporation for $8.15 million in 1980. The tunnel is now utilized by the Pittsburgh Light Rail System for some of its right-of-way and the Steel Plaza Station. See also List of tunnels documented by the Historic American Engineering Record in Pennsylvania Main Line (Pittsburgh to St. Louis) Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad References Railroad tunnels in Pennsylvania Light rail in Pennsylvania Port Authority of Allegheny County Historic American Engineering Record in Pennsylvania 5 ft 2½ in gauge railways in the United States Tunnels in Pittsburgh