The Northeast Extension, route 9, now 476, Ended or began at 76 and it went up to Scranton. It was incredible. There were so many tunnels. They removed the tunnels in the 60s and put the road over the hills You can still find a few old tunnels if you look The opening sequence of Vacation, a post card shows one of these tunnels
1999 through 2001 I tested the VMT System that was brand new. Think RFID reader in the road every 1/2 mile with wifi between the car and the VMT System. Awesome system
Very nice video, I'm a bit of a road geek and really appreciate the PA Turnpike and its history, although I'd rather drive the old Lincoln Highway. I'm sorry to hear they are knocking down all the old service plazas, those are part of the roads history too and at least one ought to be preserved.
Hell a trip for me today on the turnpike is still a pretty cool thing to do. We don't have mountains or tunnels here in Southwestern Ontario, Canada so its always special
I've driven Irwin to Breezewood many times and enjoyed it, except for the mess at US 30, getting to I-70 toward Maryland. But it's not that bad. However, the commission is doing the right thing by replacing and widening the 1940 pavement; some portions were beginning to washboard quite badly. I hope they keep one service area, Midway, the way it was; looks like they've tried with renovations and additions to the original south building. Keep a little of the history alive. It's a shame the abandoned tunnels have deteriorated as they have; I realize it would probably cost too much to fix them up a bit, put lights back in them and use them for a non-motorized trail. It's still a fun drive. Haven't been there since 2012.
The cost to drive on the turnpike is absurd. Just keeping the PA turnpike commission rich. The other sates that have toll roads don't have prices any where near these rip off prices. And most states don't have tolls. The commission needs to go. You pay taxes for the interstate system so why not take advantage of their resources.
I hate the new Service Plazas. I miss the old Sideling Hill Plaza and the Bob's Big Boy there. I mostly travel from Harrisburg West Shore to Breezewood. I used to go the whole way to Somerset. But it's got way to expensive now.
Oh there is way to much graffiti in the Abandoned Turnpike tunnels now. Every time I go there is new graffiti painted over other graffiti. LOL But last I heard it's being patrolled more to try and stop that.
