Mush Quest - PA Turnpike Abandoned Tunnels

Abandoned Tunnels & Area at Pennsylvania Turnpike

The Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike is a 13-mile stretch of the Pennsylvania Turnpike that was bypassed in 1968 to ease traffic congestion. The abandoned section includes the Sideling Hill Tunnel, Rays Hill Tunnel, and Laurel Hill Tunnel, as well as a travel plaza. [1, 2, 3, 4]

The history of the abandoned tunnels is connected to the South Pennsylvania Railroad, which was originally conceived in the late 19th century: [5]

South Pennsylvania Railroad

The railroad was intended to connect Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, but was never completed due to financial difficulties and competition from the Pennsylvania Railroad. [5]

Pennsylvania Turnpike

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission repurposed the tunnels for a new highway project in the 1930s. The turnpike opened in 1940 and was the first superhighway in the United States. [5]

Bypass

In the 1960s, a study recommended bypassing the tunnels to ease traffic congestion. The Sideling Hill By-pass opened in 1968, and the tunnels were put out of service. [1]

The abandoned section is not officially open, but the public can visit on an "at your own risk" basis. The area is used for a variety of activities, including: [3, 4]

Nature walks
Biking
Military training
Music videos
Road reflector testing
Rumble strip testing

The Sideling Hill parking area is located at GPS coordinates 40.048790, -78.095869. [6]

Generative AI is experimental.

[1] https://www.paturnpike.com/about-us/turnpike-history

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abandoned_Pennsylvania_Turnpike

[3] https://www.abc27.com/news/top-stories/the-abandoned-pennsylvania-turnpike-shows-a-look-at-the-past/

[4] https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/back1007.cfm

[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUgJNxJEzIg

[6] https://pabucketlist.com/exploring-the-abandoned-pennsylvania-turnpike/

Abandoned Tunnels & Area at Pennsylvania Turnpike

#1 Longest Tunnel MUSH - Sideling Hill Tunnel 6782’ Abandoned PA Turnpike

WooFDriver's WereWOOFS do a Paranormal Investigation of the Sideling Hill Tunnel

#2 Longest Tunnel MUSH - Ray's Hill Tunnel 3532’ Abandoned PA Turnpike

WooFDriver's WereWOOFS Outtakes (Uncut & Unedited) from Investigation in Tunnels & Area