Kandovan Tunnel

Kandovan Tunnel
Kandovan Tunnel In 2024;
the green sign reads
"11th Tunnel" (تونل شماره ۱۱)
Interactive map of Kandovan Tunnel
Overview
Other name11th Tunnel of Chalus Road
Coordinates36°09′13.8″N 51°18′44.0″E / 36.153833°N 51.312222°E / 36.153833; 51.312222
CrossesKandovan Pass: 3,030 m (9,940 ft)
Operation
Work begun1935
Opened17 May 1938 (1938-05-17)
Closed1995
Reopened2002
Technical
Length1,883 m (6,178 ft)
No. of lanesTwo
Operating speed50 km/h
Highest elevation2,700 m (8,900 ft)
Tunnel clearance6 m (20 ft)
Width5.5 m (18 ft)

The Kandovan Tunnel (Persian: تونل کندوان), officially 11th Tunnel (Persian: تونل شماره ۱۱), is a major road tunnel on Chalus Road, Iran. The 1,883-metre (6,178 ft) tunnel crosses Alborz, connecting Alborz province to Mazandaran province. It was completed in 1938 as one of the first tunnels in Iran in order to make the route from Tehran to Caspian Sea passable in harsh winter times.