From the Fulton County News in McConnellsburg PA dated 11/21. An excerpt:
"An 8 1/2 mile stretch of what was once part of “America’s First Super Highway,“ the Pennsylvania Turnpike, was turned over to the Southern Alleghenies Conservancy last Thursday for the sum of just $1.00.
The abandoned four-lane highway runs between Breezewood, PA, and Hustontown and includes the Rays Hill Tunnel spanning 3,532 feet and the Sideling Hill Tunnel, which is 6,782 feet and the longest on the turnpike system.
The roadway was closed in 1968 when the two “bottleneck tunnels” were eliminated as a new turnpike bypass project was completed just east of Breezewood. The abandoned stretch will now become a biking and hiking trail. "
Re: Abandoned section of Turnpike to be a Bike trail
I received the following e-mail today that confirms this. From John B. (no relation to me) in Illinois:
I have recently learned, and confirmed, the the PTC has sold this abandoned section (with tunnels) to the "Southern Alleghenies Conservancy", commonly refered to as "SAC". SAC will be opening this section to the public next spring as bike/hike trail (source: James Morack, PTC). I then contacted SAC. Branden Diehl of SAC has informed me that he is "actively working to coordinate some volunteer efforts to do some site clean-up", but, "Plans are primitive at this point, but things ARE progressing". Branden of SAC went on to say that the site includes 207 acres, of which 53 are wooded, and includes 2 tunnels, "of which one is short of a mile, and the other short of 2 miles". What I am most excited about, but have not been able to confirm, is what the PTC staff member at the Zelienople Service Plaza told me - "the tunnels are to be relit".
I live in IL, but I plan on contacting Branden Diehl and spending my "vacation" by volunteering for this effort (if at all possible).
Branden Diehl can be contacted at (814) 623-7900 ext 5, or at sac@nb.net (apparently he prefers to be contacted by phone).
John '99 New Beetle 1.8T, yellow, Mikro Audio stereo upgrade, AlienTech remote window controller '76 Beetle Convertible, orange http://www.en.com/users/johnb/ourcars.htm
Re: Abandoned section of Turnpike to be a Bike trail
hey....I just found out about this and I really want to go see the tunnels and abandoned roadway before anyone does anything to it! Has anyone been there as of lately...and if so has anything changed??
Re: Abandoned section of Turnpike to be a Bike trail
it looks like i'm going to see this in the summer or sooner, hopefully, since it should be legal now ...
where's a good place to park other than one of the truck stops off exit 12, because me and my friend will ride our bikes on it.
Re: Abandoned section of Turnpike to be a Bike trail
i was in breezewood in april to see the old pike and both tunnels.there are now concrete dividers acroos the old pike overpass of us 30.is this to keep vehicular traffic off the old road?if this is to become a bike trail,i think they would present quite an obstacle!there are also some at the overpass east of the old service area site.
steviemo
Unregistered User
(8/28/02 5:19 pm) Reply
Barricades
The barricades at the Breezewood end have an opening big enough for a bike but not a car. The barricades at the other end, beyond the service plaza, do not have an opening. There is a sign about a shooting range being in use.
By the way, Fat Jimmy's Outfitters in Breezewood rents bicycles!
I flew with a friend from Minneapolis to Pittsburgh to see Phil Lesh (former Grateful Dead bass player). We allowed an extra day to do all the tunnels. The bike ride through Ray's and Sideling was utterly awesome! We did get hassled by a state trooper at the ease end of Laurel where we had hiked in on foot.
recurvedaddy
Unregistered User
(7/17/03 9:46 pm) Reply
tunnels
just visited sideling and ray's hill for anyone who traveled these tunnels in the 1950s and 60s you will be in awe as they have the same character of the highways in that time period. you look at it now but guess what they were the best this country had to offer at that time period. I was soo exicite to see these tunnels 45 years later still in tact. this is history. if you get a chance dont miss visting. contact me if you have any questions as to the location of these landmarks.
canoeman
Unregistered User
(7/28/03 8:49 am) Reply
scary
very scary. just biked them alone yesterday. saw 3 fawn, 4 deer, and 6 piles of bear crap. it's not true, bear do not crap in the woods . . . . they crap on the turnpike. one of the most awesome experiences ever!!
Bear dump on old TP
Ok, here it goes. If anybody wants to ride the old turnpike, it's a great ride from what I have been told. But word of advice to those who want to do it alone, DON"T! There are bear out there and big ones at that! They are also very unpredictable and sometimes nasty! They can move pretty fast and probably faster then you on a bicycle! If they catch you, one swipe of their massive paw and goodbye head! If you do go out there, take at least a 357 magnum with you! And don't go in the tunnels alone! They kind of do resemble caves and bears may use that to sleep in! And with Sidling hill being as long as it is, you'd never make it out alive! And in the middle, there's no sense screaming, nobody would hear you anyway! So go with friends or in a group and take some weapons just in case!
Abandoned Pa Turnpike
I am interested in information about biking on the abandoned turnpike. Is it legal to do so? Where do you park? And exactly where is it located? I am thinking about going with my fiance and his two kids. I am actually planning to go this weekend. Please someone help me out and email me some information.
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