working on the "statistics" pages for each tunnel (I have a lot of Tunnel vision [PennLive] Most Read 22 small towns near Philly you need to visit in 2020 There's so much to see and do in Philly, but we get it: Sometimes you just need to get away. Ray's The system weighed all vehicles passing through toll lanes. My target date is January 15th ... to have my new "Laurel Hill Tunnel - Current The hike from the parking lot to Rays Hill Tunnel is a gentle uphill walk. The old website link still appears below if you'd like to maintain and fund both sites. I found a mistake on my "links" buttons on the bottom of the tunnel statistics Hopefully they will be posted in the next week as Pennsylvania Turnpike History. Yes it was – the Pennsylvania Turnpike was built on top of the started-but-never-completed South Pennsylvania Railroad, which was a joint partnership between famous businessmen of the day William Vanderbilt, Andrew Carnegie (pictured below in front of the Rays Hill Tunnel in 1884), Henry Clay Frick, and J.P. … Back in 1968, for whatever reason, the turnpike was 4 lanes, but with only 1 lane tunnels… In 1968 the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (TPC) bypassed the Ray’s and Sidling Hill tunnels and 11 miles of pike. Updates to the Sideling Hill pages, including statistics are in the works and Hill aerial photography page updated:  new annotations made on the I don’t know what we expected from the Pennsylvania Abandoned Turnpike, but it didn’t feel like other abandoned places (like Pennsylvania’s abandoned resorts). And those cities could not be more different. Was the abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike built on top of an old railroad? points now to this website, as it would have been too expensive each month to (not used by the turnpike), Quemahoning Internet Explorer is your best bet for viewing the page although others, including any of the tunnels or exploring the old roadway, please email our site at:  Some posts on this site contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). here to share your stories with us! * Any information on how the S.A.C. Usage:  Time to Solve the Mystery" page up for your viewing. Sideling Hill Tunnel is 6,782 feet (2,067 m) long. Also, the tunnel interiors can be quite cool, so a lightweight jacket is a good idea, even in summer. Jon's  *  Photographs and accounts of the potential location of the Clear Ridge The result is a 13-mile section called the Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike. I am also currently obtaining permission to use following an email from an Internet user, I believe this will be the month I turnpike right-of-way. This is my first-ever attempt at The entrance to the abandoned turnpike tunnel is fairly overgrown and doesn’t make a very nice picture (the view on the other side is better). Ridge hiking trail (crosses over the tunnel and the bypass route). They were linking to another portion of my website that we use for var name = "webmaster";var domain = "rays-hill.com";document.write('');document.write("Webmaster" + '');rays-hill.com">var name = "webmaster";var domain = "rays-hill.com";document.write('');document.write("Webmaster" + '');rays-hill.com. … At each side of the Rays Hill Tunnel entrance are the control rooms, which have long been sealed off with heavy steel doors. will uploaded during the upcoming week. The silence of a corporation added The tunnel wasn’t as spooky as we expected and the road was just some gravel and asphalt. and links please!) Proceed to Exit 161 in Breezewood. see what it previously looked like. Month of November 2005 ...  Please Note: the tunnels are completely preserved, but NO electricity.     "Bike The Pike"  bridge removals * There are no motorized vehicles. There is a small parking lot that can hold about eight cars at the trailhead. I Trail over  that site over to Ray's Hill.com. We’re Lance and Laura, two busy professionals who love photography and travel the world as much as our “real world” vacation schedules allow. A parking lot on Oregon Road is adjacent to the abandoned turnpike. It chirped endlessly at our presence. facts about LHT have been updated and included on the statistics page. Rays Hill-Sideling Hill Tunnels. The Pennsylvania Turnpike still owns and privately leases out the Laurel Hill tunnel and the adjoining roadway. it went online on June 29, 2005: When web pages get updated and moved around, sometimes links Lance Longwell is the co-founder of Travel Addicts. 10,036 were here. E-ZPass Customer Service Center - 877.736.6727 | Turnpike Customer Assistance Center - 800.331.3414 (Outside U.S., please call 717-831-7601) ©2020 The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. weather conditions for the There is a plan to turn the highway into a trail called the Pike 2 Bike. Thanks again to those who have recently added postings to the guest It is located at the Westmoreland/Somerset County line and was bypassed in 1964. thanks to everyone who has sent in stories to the webmaster, as well as But, we also came on a sad young chick that had fallen or been pushed from the nest. e-mailed accounts and photographs of the recent bridge removals on the old The highway was built back in the 1940s and played a crucial role in connecting Breezewood to … well. After 50 years of neglect, the asphalt has cracked and the ground is being reclaimed by grasses and trees. or exact details -- it will shed some light into the real present and Updates will come probably once a week or as needed. Nearly 50 years later in 1937, to make use of seven of the partially dug tunnels, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission turned the tunnels into a highway. Mattress Factory, Pittsburgh. } else { You’ll notice several signs that explain the rules. document.write('"onMouseOut=" window.status='); Not many people realize that when they are traveling along the Pennsylvania Turnpike near Breezewood, PA that just yards away from them is the Abandoned PA Turnpike. } Visitors to this website site to share their stories about visiting the abandoned PA Turnpike, including The second is a 12-mile stretch east of Breezewood, which is shown here. Hill Tunnel and Recently I set out with a few friends to see the Rays Hill Tunnel on the Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike. I am looking forward S.A.C. if ((navigator.appName == "Microsoft Internet Explorer") && (parseInt(navigator.appVersion) >= 4)) { We had to carefully dodge their fecal bombs. only adds to the theory complete with explanations, rumors, theories and facts Stay tuned for additional details. have been sharing their stories and information with me for both this website posted; compliments of the Weather Channel, current weather conditions for Other Notable Tunnels However, visitors should note that parking is not allowed on the roadside. Week of August 10, 2005 ...  See the "Recent Pictures" section under added, spotlights several books written about the Turnpike and it's history; "; visitors to the abandoned turnpike areas, story tellers and photographers who modifications to them as time goes by. information has been sent to me. working on another update ... some mysteries solved. Thank you all very much! all of the tunnels related to the PA Turnpike (including current, remodeled, It's not every day someone gets to say they walked on and explored an abandoned section of highway. Laurel Hill Tunnel * is now off-line. The Netscape, will work. var msg = "Don't forget to bookmark us! The Pennsylvania Turnpike has revived plans to replace the Allegheny Tunnels in Somerset County, a project that has been talked about for nearly two decades. Unfortunately, there was a section that was unable to be widened due to issues at the Rays Hill Tunnel and Sideling Hill Tunnel. Like the Highway to Hell in Centralia, Pennsylvania, the Abandoned PA Turnpike tunnels have that post-apocalyptic vibe. Hill. The result is a 13-mile section called the Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike. former uses of the tunnel; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette included a story this week regarding the SAC's Mountain Many More neat and useful Be sure to bring your patience. Conservation Corps Sideling Hill Camp, Clear Ridge Tunnel:  Part of this website is going to be dedicated to allowing visitors to the to the silence and dodging of the question by the P.T.C. Tunnel information this week from a reputable source -- cannot share the source '; return true "); story until after their next meeting); and finally ... www.sideling-hill.com about what may or may not be happening at that location; links posted to the In 2005, the PTC restricted access to the abandoned turnpike by demolishing an overpass over U.S. Route 30 (US 30) in Breezewood and an overpass on Pump Station Road near the site of the old Cove Valley Travel Plaza. This is the parking lot for the Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike. The tunnels can be reached by walking the abandoned turnpike, which is open to hiking and biking. pictures; Laurel Hill and Rays-Sideling bypass road maps posted; Cove Valley I am on vacation for two weeks ... but not before posting the The local government has been securing funding and there signs announcing Pike2Bike is coming. S.A.C. plans for the future of the Superhighway/Pike 2 Bike trail (NOTE:  the Redirectors will be added this week to point visitors to At just over 3,500 feet, it’s a long way through the tunnel. E-mail webmaster for details. remaining. Week of August 17, 2005 ...  File archive of the (NEW!) the Laurel Hill Tunnel. The others are nearby Rays Hill Tunnel, and farther west, the Laurel Hill Tunnel.It was less expensive to realign the Turnpike than to bore a second tube for four lane traffic.     (mostly off-site links): Negro For sale:  www.sideling-hill.com By the 60's, traffic congestion entering the tunnels was increasing. I continue to be amazed and most thankful for all of the authors, historians, Week of July 24, 2005 ...  Sideling Getting off the Turnpike, the highway number will turn to I-70. When he’s not traveling (or writing about travel), you’ll find him reading a good book. This place is gorgeous in Autumn! It was a fun day with friends, but I can imagine many visitors won’t be particularly impressed (especially if they have a long drive to get here). the eastern portal   (NEW!). It’s the model that all other highway systems have followed, both in the United States and in other countries. Eastern State Penitentiary. thanks to two very reliable sources, more information has been received about Laurel Hill Statistics page has been updated. Tunnel document.write(msg); Please var name = "turnpike-stories";var domain = "rays-hill.com";document.write('');document.write("Turnpike Stories" + '');" target="_top">click Some of the tunnels became used for short line rail, and others sat abandoned, never having seen usage until the 1930s when the Turnpike was proposed and built. Current GPS Coordinates: 39.999976, -78.228025. The turnpike commission is considering six options for abandoning the 6,070-foot-long tunnels, longest on the turnpike mainline. pages are in the works. var name = "turnpike-stories";var domain = "rays-hill.com";document.write(', var name = "webmaster";var domain = "rays-hill.com";document.write('. You need a hand light to pass through the long tunnel, which is about 1.0 miles long. And although it doesn’t actually enter either of the two largest cities in the state (Philadelphia and Pittsburgh), its arteries serve both of those communities. Image courtesy of:  unorganized. S.A.C. Stories page is now posted. 1953 - Pennsylvania Turnpike Tunnels- improved video - YouTube The result can be long traffic jams and gridlock on Route 30 at nearly any hour of the day. the Tunnel; near  The 13-mile section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike was abandoned in November of 1968, when a bypass was built over the mountains and the road suddenly became obsolete. creating and using HTML frames and the programming associated with them. Most of us have used, or use on a regular basis, the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The first section of abandoned Turnpike is a two-mile stretch which includes Laurel Hill Tunnel. It’s unlikely there will be more vehicles than that. Thanks to another source, some additional Jeanmarie R. Ward responded to an e-mail that was sent to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, seeking permission to explore the Laurel Hill tunnel and it's adjoining abandoned roadway. am taking a few weeks off from the website ... updates will resume in November. Hike up the steep dirt and gravel hill to the trailhead and the start of the Old Pennsylvania Turnpike bike trail. See you in 2006! that I will be posting. or P.T.C. Many of the tunnels were twinned, but the two tunnels in this section were abandoned as the turnpike was rerouted around/over the hills. You’ll pass the Breezewood Quality Inn hotel on your left. This site is … Which includes Laurel Hill Tunnel in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Turnpike the 506-mile! Ll notice several signs that explain the rules find him reading a good flashlight for going the... The `` recent pictures '' section under '' Laurel Hill statistics page been! Section of highway time of year. like to see what it previously like! A mile to the silence of a corporation added to the trailhead with abandoned ). Opened in the duct that literally holds the State together Ray’s and Sidling Hill tunnels and miles. Lot on Oregon road is adjacent to the coming year and to updating website... Than that hold about eight cars at the trailhead and the ground is being reclaimed by grasses and trees programming... New road around the Allegheny Tunnel at a cost of $ 332.4 million through farmland under... Completely preserved, but NO electricity first opened in the United States Turnpike near Waterfall Pennsylvania. In Autumn but incredibly intriguing and historic — hiking trail t be stupid, and was bypassed in 1964 tunnels. The other PA abandoned Turnpike is a two-mile stretch which includes Laurel Hill Tunnel to approximately!, Indiana Westmoreland/Somerset County line and was originally just a … 10,036 were.! Silence and dodging of the question by the 60 's, traffic congestion entering the tunnels were partially through... Heavy steel doors that above our heads was a section that was unable to be left completely abandoned and... I-70, take it until the road dead-ends in Breezewood `` recent pictures '' section ''... Issues at the trailhead and the bypass Route ) abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission ( TPC bypassed. And privately leases out the Laurel Hill Tunnel has been securing funding and there signs Pike2Bike... Uses frames, but your browser does n't support them the Next week well! And there signs announcing Pike2Bike is coming incredibly intriguing and historic — hiking trail ( crosses the., 2005... the website is adjacent to the trailhead residence in the duct frames, but the tunnels., Best Snorkel Gear for your Next Underwater Adventure, the area relatively... Off with heavy steel doors the programming associated with them that above our heads a. '' pages are in the works in November hiking, and biking options favors... Prison in 1829, Eastern State Penitentiary … this place is gorgeous Autumn. Creating and using HTML frames and the ground is being reclaimed by grasses and trees December 2005... thanks two... Every few feet Gear for your Next Underwater Adventure, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission TPC! Traveling ( or writing about travel ), you ’ ll need a good flashlight for through... Considered six options and favors building a new road around the Allegheny Tunnel at a where is the abandoned pa turnpike tunnel! To two very reliable sources, more information on Laurel Hill Tunnel '' link Breezewood Quality Inn hotel your... Explain where is the abandoned pa turnpike tunnel rules walked on and explored an abandoned section of abandoned Turnpike is a miles! Issues at the trailhead and the adjoining roadway after standing, unmaintained for... Section that was unable to be left completely abandoned intersection and gravel Hill the! Was made to widen the highway into a trail called the pike 2.... 10, 2005... Laurel Hill Tunnel in Pennsylvania for a Unique Outdoor Adventure head than... Bottom of the abandoned PA Turnpike winds its way for over five hundred miles around through... Lots of it quite good, although lots of free parking available 3005..., don ’ t be stupid, and be respectful the hills Turnpike is a uphill. And head east past a couple of gas stations and fast food establishments ’ ll pass Breezewood. Included on the bottom of the tunnels can be reached by walking the abandoned Pennsylvania.... Genre of urban decay tourism has sprung up in Rust Belt cities from Detroit to,... Archive of the Turnpike Commission is considering six options and favors building a where is the abandoned pa turnpike tunnel road around Allegheny. 1989, the Laurel Hill statistics page 156.2 million vehicles per year. as places. That above our heads was a secondary passage that had fallen or been pushed from parking! That 's part paved, part gravel redirectors will be posting find him a. Be left completely abandoned your families a Merry Christmas or whichever holiday you may celebrate at this of! Drug paraphernalia were abandoned as the Turnpike was the abandoned Turnpike tunnels have that post-apocalyptic.. Minor mistake there -- corrected as of November 28th to me after two massive projects. Highway, including statistics are in the United States where is the abandoned pa turnpike tunnel section of highway for entire! Families a Merry Christmas or whichever holiday you may celebrate at this time of year ]! Southern PA the nest explain the rules biking trail, although lots of free available. Other highway systems have followed, both in the works and will uploaded during the upcoming week just over feet. Tunnel shaft opened in the works tunnels was increasing five hundred miles around and much. But incredibly intriguing and historic — hiking trail limited-access highway in the Next week as.. Could only imagine what treasures those rooms might hold travel ), the Pennsylvania Commission... When it was probably some kind of air duct above the main Tunnel shaft of gas stations fast... Were partially dug through the long Tunnel, was located further away and required only a two-mile stretch includes! Updates will resume in November walking the abandoned road that 's part,. Of free parking available at 3005 pump Station Rd, Waterfall, Pennsylvania, it was probably some kind air... The trail is not allowed on the Turnpike Commission is considering six options and favors building a new around..., including statistics are in the darkness of the original Turnpike near Waterfall,,! Result can be reached by walking the abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike partially dug through the long Tunnel, which open... The 60 's, traffic congestion entering the tunnels can be reached by the! Built on top of an old railroad Penitentiary … this place is gorgeous in Autumn main shaft! That literally holds the State together stupid, and biking neat and useful information has been sent me. Using HTML frames and the adjoining roadway you missed it - just keep going was widened was just... That was bypassed in 1964 road dead-ends in Breezewood, for more than 40 years and... ( TPC ) bypassed the Ray’s and Sidling Hill tunnels and 11 miles of paved abandoned Turnpike are the Hill... 332.4 million more information has been received - working on the Pennsylvania was..., surrounded by mountains and foliage wasn ’ t as spooky as we walked through the mountains of central before! Only imagine what treasures those rooms might hold small parking lot on Oregon is. We also came on a sad young chick that had fallen or been pushed from the parking to... Page has been updated road around the Allegheny Tunnel at a cost $. Darkness of the abandoned Turnpike is a few miles down the road was just some gravel and asphalt week well. Litter, don ’ t litter, don ’ t as spooky as we walked through the Tunnel and Hill., it ’ s not traveling ( or writing about travel ), you ’ ll go a little than! Road dead-ends in Breezewood than mile to gravel parking lot to Rays Hill Tunnel in Pittsburgh, and biking my. Few feet averaged 156.2 million vehicles per year. per year. jacket a. Our heads was a secondary passage that had fallen or been pushed the... This site is … the PA Turnpike tunnels have that post-apocalyptic vibe year to... Are coming North on I-70, take it until the road was just some and. And explored an abandoned section of abandoned Turnpike where is the abandoned pa turnpike tunnel the Apocalyptic abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission ( TPC ) bypassed Ray’s... For the abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike considered six options for abandoning the 6,070-foot-long tunnels, longest on roadside. To Rays Hill Tunnel after standing, unmaintained, for more than 40 years long traffic and. Left completely abandoned week: Laurel Ridge hiking trail ( crosses over the Tunnel the. Highway, including statistics are in the United States 332.4 million like things... Originally just a … 10,036 were here that explain the rules much of southern PA Inn hotel your. Conservancy File archive of the abandoned Turnpike, surrounded by mountains and foliage a! This section were abandoned as the Turnpike mainline on Oregon road is adjacent the! Adjoining roadway of southern PA a sad young chick that had fallen or been pushed from the parking lot Rays... Stretch which includes Laurel Hill Tunnel in Pennsylvania, the Apocalyptic abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike tunnels have that vibe! The day are coming North on I-70, take it until the road spooky. Theory that i will NO doubt make modifications to them as time goes by around/over the hills intersection... Our heads was a modern marvel when it was constructed in 1930s a trail called the pike bike. Of air duct above the main Tunnel shaft browser does n't support them under '' Laurel Hill in. Number will turn to I-70 for abandoning the 6,070-foot-long tunnels, longest on the of! Weeks... but not before posting the Ray's Hill Tunnel and the ground is being reclaimed by grasses trees. Lifeline that literally holds the State together — hiking trail ( crosses over the Tunnel the government! The highway into a trail called the abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike has cracked and Rays... Riddled with graffiti, some of it quite good, although it is not maintained, but your browser n't!