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All the United States Michigan Detroit McNamara Terminal Light Tunnel
AO Edited

McNamara Terminal Light Tunnel

Inside the Wayne County airport is an amazing collection of lights and sounds.

Detroit, Michigan

Added By
John Meszaros
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McNamara Terminal Light Tunnel   Dawn Huczek / CC BY 2.0
McNamara Terminal Light Tunnel   Dawn Huczek / CC BY 2.0
McNamara Terminal Light Tunnel   Chris Rycroft / CC BY 2.0
Another view of the changing light pattern.   Johnmeszaros / Atlas Obscura User
An example of the light patterns in the Tunnel.   Johnmeszaros / Atlas Obscura User
A close-up view of the glass panels along the walls.   Johnmeszaros / Atlas Obscura User
McNamara Terminal Light Tunnel   Johnmeszaros / Atlas Obscura User
McNamara Terminal Light Tunnel   Johnmeszaros / Atlas Obscura User
McNamara Terminal Light Tunnel   Johnmeszaros / Atlas Obscura User
McNamara Terminal Light Tunnel   Johnmeszaros / Atlas Obscura User
DTW light show   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
Upgrades in progress April 2024   ickaimp / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Running underground beneath the active tarmac at Detroit Airport's McNamara Terminal, a 700- foot corridor connects Concourse A with Concourses B and C. Dubbed the Light Tunnel, this hall is lit along the entire length of its ceiling and walls with LED lights that smoothly transition through a range of colors.

Glass panels on the walls are sculpted with abstract, flowing patterns that resemble rivers and other topographic features viewed from the air. Two moving walkways on either side of the open floor provide swift transportation between the terminals.

Originally known as the Motown Music Tunnel when the lights were first installed in 2001, the corridor featured a looping 20-minute sampling of several famous Motown songs from The Temptations, Supremes, Stevie Wonder, and others.

In the years since the tunnel's opening, the music has been switched to a softer, atmospheric track, though the original Motown tracks still play periodically. 

Related Tags

Airports Design Music Architecture

Know Before You Go

 

The Light Tunnel is located in the Detroit Airport's McNamara Terminal, which is physically separate from the airport's North Terminal. Shuttles connect both terminals. 

Airport guests who are uncomfortable with the lights and sounds can press a button at the bottom of the escalator on each side to pause the show for five minutes.

Community Contributors

Added By

Johnmeszaros

Edited By

curious42, ickaimp, Michelle Cassidy, Jason Michael Walker

  • curious42
  • ickaimp
  • Michelle Cassidy
  • Jason Michael Walker

Published

May 3, 2022

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McNamara Terminal Light Tunnel
11050 W G Rogell Dr
Detroit, Michigan, 48242
United States
42.216249, -83.355364
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