I wrote three sections about tunnels last is first, and first is last. After bypass was built, I had a used 4 wheel drive ford pickup truck for my first vehicle. I returned to old turnpike roughly 6 years after old road was shut down. At that time brush was not overgrown, and roadway with lines was still very visible, very little if any graffiti existed, it had a eerie feeling at that time, Motor Trend Magizine used to test cars between old tunnels
Cont. From second part. At that time Pa. Turnpike all tunnels were 2 lanes entering tunnels went from 2 lanes to 1 lane, and exiting tunnels, from 1 lane to 2 lanes, this is where most of the tunnel accidents occurred. Speed limit in all tunnels was 50 MPH, and other speed limits were cars, 65 MPH, trucks 55 MPH, tailgate ramp speeds were 35, MPH, after directly crash all tunnels were made into 2 tunnels 2 lanes each way, and bypass was built. Pa. Turnpike is nicest. and first toll road in U S
Cont. From first part there was a severe accident in first 100 feet of Rays Hill Tunnel, a eastbound gasoline tanker crossed the lane to get around slow moving vehicle hit head on another west bound tractor burst into flames, several killed, em. crew had to fight fire from their quarters, each end of tunnels is housed a wrecker combination fire truck, and 2 to 3 paid crew. This is what got turnpike comm. to start bypass.
As a child and growing up I used to travel the Pa. Turnpike, and went through both tunnels, in both east,and west directions. My parents, and I lived in Mechanicsburg, Pa. and visited with both mom, and dads grandparents in Johnstown, Pa. I remember when I was 16 years old when the state closed the old section, and opened the new road.
The rumble strips as mentioned in the article were cut into the roadway during construction of new bypass, roadway had to change lanes quickly during construction. Bypass now goes over the mountain which includes Rays Hill, and Sidling Hill.