Community Corner

Navigating The Tunnel Is A Big Part Of Life In Vernon

One lane and loads of fun ...


Two cars were at the stop sign at the north end of the old railroad overpass on Tunnel Road on Sunday.

A box truck was on its way through. Practically on its rear bumper was a car driven by a 20-something who decided to sneak her way through. The driver on the opposite side slammed on the horn and seemed to yell something at her as she drove by.

Yep. Navigating the tunnel can strike a nerve even with the church-going crowd.

The scene is all too familiar with Vernon native Kris Harvin Viens.

"It depends," she said of the mood at the tunnel. "Sometimes people are very cooperative, turn down their lights at night and take turns. But then sometimes you get that jerk that goes through the tunnel behind the person in front of them cause they are special band don't need to wait their turn. Most of the time they are polite."

Town Council and Rockville Community Alliance member Thomas DiDio knows the tunnel all too well. He lives not far from it to the south and has to go through it every time he heads to Rockville, often after dark.

"Dimming one's lights to oncoming traffic while you wait your turn is always the polite thing to do," he said. "About 75 percent of the drivers do this."

Regarding rush hour at the tunnel, resident Edie Chernack said, "Getting through the tunnel at rush hour takes patience. If you're in a hurry, take a different route. It may take the same amount of time as taking the tunnel, but it feels like less since you'll still be moving. If you do take the tunnel, be sure to follow the rules and be courteous of others."

She admitted to recently taking the long way around just to keep moving when on her way to a Democratic Party function at DiDio's place.

When asked about the unwritten, no-piggybacking rule, Lt. John Kelley of the Vernon Police Department had to look it up. He said the law says if there is a stop line, then cars are required to stop individually.

Yes, there is a white line.

DiDio recalls his share of funny incidents at the tunnel.

"I do remember once a semi tried to go through, but was too high and not quite in the middle," he said. "The driver had to get out and let air out of his tires to lower the truck. Then, he was able to complete his passage."

Board of Education member laura Bush, who lives in the same area as DiDio, said she loves the historic nature of the tunnel. It was an old railroad route that is now a recreational trail.

"The tunnel is one of the things that encouraged us to settle in Vernon," she said. "As I drive through the tunnel, I sometimes think back to the days when horse and buggies, buckboard and beautiful carriages also used the tunnel."


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