The Abandoned PA Turnpike Tunnels Historical Perspective Image
The Abandoned PA Turnpike & Tunnels Historical Perspective Image courtesy of Brad Truxell, www. somethinghdr. com
South Penn R. R. – Turnpike Precursor • • • Called “Vanderbilt’s Folly” Constructed 1884 -1885 A pact halted construction 2
“New Deal” Sparks A Novel Plan • • • Depression rocks America Jobs creation a mandate Feds focus on infrastructure 3
1937: Building The Original Turnpike • • • Tpk. Commission is created Superhighway takes shape Sets the stage for interstates 4
Destination Midnight, Oct. 1, 1940 • • • Turnpike opens to traffic Curious motorist swarm Tunnels the biggest thrill 5
Shattering Traffic Projections 6
Uncorking the Bottlenecks 7
1968, Sideling/Rays Bypass Opens Bypass opens Nov. 26, 1968 11 -miles of original Turnpike now virtually abandoned. Segment includes longest and shortest tunnels. New alignment carves through the top of the mountains east of Breezewood. 8
Safety Testing & Research Facility (STAR) STAR Testing Highway Sign Visibility Line-Painting Materials & Techniques Recessed Pavement Reflectors Sonic Nap Alert Patterns or SNAPs. Truck Breaking. Distance Vehicle Crash & Rollover 9
Nov. 15, 2001: Highway Changes Hands 10
2001 to Today: The Pike 2 Bike 11
2009 Movie: “The Road” http: //www. youtube. com/wat ch? v=6 E 0 p. Eul 0 Xf 8&feature =em-share_video_user 12
Tunnel Stats Sideling Hill Tunnel Rays Hill Tunnel Turnpike’s Longest 6, 791 feet/1. 28 miles Turnpike’s Shortest 3, 512 feet/0. 66 miles 13
Aerial Overview 14
Questions 15
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