The Guajataca Tunnel

The Guajataca Tunnel is a railway tunnel which purpose was to connect the towns of Isabela and Quebradillas during the first half of the 20^th century, and it is located on Highway #2 towards to Isabela.  In the year of 2000, the tunnel was declared a historical monument due to the great history that this place has.

Locomotive #42 out of Guajataca Tunnel Retrieved from Puerto Rico Historic Building Drawings Society.

For the year 1904, this tunnel was built by the American Railway Company of Puerto Rico, who continued the construction initiated by the Railway Company of Puerto Rico under the Spanish regime. 

The Black Tunnel

Many people know the famous Guajataca Tunnel, located in the town of Isabela.  But, did you know that there is another, and longer, tunnel that used to connect with the Guajataca Tunnel?  Located near the highway #2 heading west, you can discover the Black Tunnel: a tunnel that was used for the passage of railways to transport people and cargo.  Because of its length and geometry, you can’t see either end of the tunnel as it goes pitch black halfway through the tunnel, hence its name: The Black Tunnel.

Just like the Guajataca Tunnel, the Black Tunnel was built in the early twentieth century, approximately around 1904, by the American Railroad Company of Puerto Rico, who began to build the stretch of road that would travel from Camuy up to Aguadilla.