A recent posting online in Memories of Wheeling by Mike Minder conjured up a slew of memories for those old enough to remember. The posting was a look back at April 7, 1964, when a “Break-Through Ceremony” was held at the corner of Baker and McColloch streets which was to become the east portal for the Wheeling Tunnel.

The twin tunnels planned for Interstate 70 and U.S. 250 would be carved — or blasted — out of the side of the mountain that stood in the path of progress. It took three years and a whopping $6.9 million to complete the tubes. That was a lot of money back then.

As a kid, I can remember hearing the blasting that went on for quite awhile. We got used to the sounds of the blasts. However, a few neighborhood pets were nervous and resorted to finding hiding places to escape the noise. People living closer to the site recalled feeling the ground shake as the dynamite did its job.

On that day in April, my father, the late Harry Hamm, served as chairman of the Governmental Liaison Committee, Wheeling Area Conference on Community Development. Our dad wore many hats while working for 50 years at the Wheeling News-Register. As editor, he enjoyed taking elected officials to task or praising others for a job well done.

However, he really found joy serving on boards and committees to better his beloved hometown.

His office at the newspaper and our own front door at home seemed to constantly welcome visitors to “run something by Harry.”

Dad was one of the first people to ride through the Wheeling Tunnel upon its completion. He beamed with pride at what had been accomplished.

Now nearly 60 years later, I wonder what Harry would think of the Wheeling Tunnel today. There’s no denying it needs some work. Despite a monumental renovation in the early 2000s, the tubes are nowhere near what they once were.

Ask any traveler and they will remark about the lack of adequate lighting — many lights are out making for a dark driving experience.

Currently the road surface through the tubes is challenging, too, with new potholes opening daily. I can’t begin to imagine what it takes to keep the tunnel operating.

Mother Nature and natural occurrences above the tunnel can provoke problems.

With the downtown Wheeling streetscaping and paving project nearing completion, it would only be fitting that driving through the Wheeling Tunnel be as smooth and bright.

Heather Ziegler can be reached via email at hziegler@theintelligencer.net.