Mule Pass Tunnel: A Gateway to Bisbee's Past

The Mule Pass Tunnel, situated on AZ-80 near Bisbee, Arizona, is more than just a passage; it's a journey through time. Before its construction, the only route through the Mule Mountains was a treacherous road known as 'The Old Divide,' notorious for its deadly switchbacks. In December 1958, the Mule Pass Tunnel was opened, marking the completion of a 23-month project that cost $2 million (approximately $17.2 million today). Cutting 10 minutes off the drive into Bisbee, the tunnel quickly became a vital artery for the town. The 1,400-foot-long tunnel is considered Arizona's longest highway tunnel. The construction itself was a feat, requiring 1,100 tons of steel and 15,000 cubic yards of concrete. As travelers pass through the tunnel, many report a sense of entering an earlier era of Bisbee, a phenomenon that has earned it the nickname 'The Time Tunnel'. The tunnel has also captured the attention of Hollywood, appearing in the film 'Cannonball Run II'. While at the tunnel, take in the views of Tombstone Canyon and the San Pedro Valley. Also, near the tunnel is a marker that mistakenly identifies the location as the Continental Divide. Today, the Mule Pass Tunnel continues to serve as a reminder of Bisbee's rich mining heritage and the ingenuity required to overcome the challenges of the mountainous terrain.