Sunday's description of how to get from Lake Johnson in west Raleigh to Worthdale Park in Southeast Raleigh prompted a couple folks to note that the tunnels under South Saunders Street and under a rail line east of Wilmington Street tend to be lined with muck and and can be treacherous. It's true; the last time I rode through I wound up grinding a layer of skin off my left elbow as I tried to remain upright as I pedaled through the yuck.
The greenway tunnel under South Saunders Street offers up a Paul Simonesque experience.
"We're trying to figure out a solution other than continual maintenance," Raleigh greenway planner Vic Lebsock told me this morning. "It's been a nightmare and a headache for us."
A nightmare and a headache because they can't figure out why the tunnels attract the slimy surface. "They're the only ones in the system we have this trouble with," Lebsock said. "We're looking at the problem hard," he added, but as yet have no solution.
More promising is the prospect for lighting the tunnels. Cruise in wearing sunglasses on a sunny day and the sudden dark is blinding (if that makes sense). "I'm reviewing a contract for the design of lighting," Lebsock said.
Good deal. It'll be nice to see the muck before slogging through it.
Comments
more like concrete when it dries
Mon, 08/11/2008 - 08:43 — Mark Swan (not verified)Went through yesterday, muck in the middle, water was dripping from above; then exiting it had dried hard like concrete. Luckily I could see again and road out the one narrow opening for my tires. I still love the greenway.
mucky tunnel
Sat, 08/02/2008 - 11:36 — jzeigerThe entrance to the tunnel on the west side may be diverting rain water and mud into the greenway tunnel instead the stream. Not sure as I haven't checked it out after a rain storm.
Yep! They are creapy sometimes!!
Wed, 07/30/2008 - 12:30 — Anonymous (not verified)Yep! They are creapy sometimes!!