"Hidden Underneath: Abandoned Pedestrian Tunnels a Relic of a Bygone Era In a bygone era when the rise of automobiles transformed urban landscapes, cities responded by building pedestrian tunnels to safeguard walkers from speeding cars. Between the 1920s and 1930s, an estimated 220 of these underground passageways were constructed to protect children and pedestrians from the dangers of increasing traffic. However, as transportation habits evolved and pedestrians grew less reliant on these tunnels, they were largely abandoned and left to decay. Now, residents are speaking out about the neglect of these once-essential infrastructure projects, sparking renewed interest in the history and potential reuse of these underground relics."
Around 220 pedestrian tunnels were built in the 1920s-1930s when higher traffic from automobiles led to increased accidents involving children and pedestrians. As the tunnels became less popular with pedestrians over the years, residents said the empty spaces became neglected.
