PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a messenger rope stretching device capable of laying an optical fiber cable without operating a tension by stretching a messenger rope latched by engaging the cable in a sewage duct. SOLUTION: The messenger rope stretching device holds the messenger rope 10 loaded by a tension in a stretched state when the optical fiber cable 20 is laid in an upper part in the sewage duct. The device comprises a hanging fitting 8 provided on a straight wall of one manhole to lock the one end of the rope 10, a reverse running preventing unit having a pawl 31 for preventing the rope from reverely running by fixing to the wall of the other manhole 1 so as to hold the other end of the rope, and guide members 11, 12 for guiding the rope 10 to upper edge 9 of bumping opening to the manhole 1 and a sewage main duct 6 toward the fitment 8 and the unit 15. COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO