Pennsylvania is one of the oddest states I have ever visited. Every venture I take through the state ends up reminding me even more of just how strange it is no matter where I end up. I love it. While I say it’s “odd,” The state holds lots of rich and interesting history, that’s for sure. From beautiful parks and historic cities, to largely abandoned towns, churches and collapsed bridges, Pennsylvania has a bit of everything for everyone. Of course we can’t forget one of the more notable abandoned places that Pennsylvania has to offer – the old turnpike.

Spanning 13 miles, a former Pennsylvania turnpike now sits abandoned. Pavement cracks and crumbles as overgrowth takes over what was once a main route of travel for people wanting to quickly pass through 7 different mountains. The road had a tunnel for each mountain: from east to west, Blue Mountain, Kittatinny Mountain, Tuscarora Mountain, Sideling Hill, Rays Hill, Allegheny Mountain and Laurel Hill. The turnpike was opened in 1940, and because of these seven tunnels, it quickly became known as the “Tunnel Highway.” Traffic had become incredibly heavy by the late 1950s. The turnpike was being so heavily used that traffic congestion warranted the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to conduct studies on either expanding or bypassing the tunnels. In 1959, studies were conducted on ways to ease the traffic congestion at tunnels, which became even worse during summer months. By the end of their studies, it was concluded that they would make the entire turnpike four lanes by either adding a second tube at the tunnels or bypassing them. It would be a few years before any changes would take place. Eventually, the turnpike commission worked on construction of new and upgraded tunnel tubes, featuring white tiles, fluorescent lighting, and upgraded ventilation.

In 1960, there were plans to build a second bore at the Allegheny Mountain tunnel, and a four-lane bypass of the Laurel Hill tunnel. The bypass was agreed upon rather than another bore due to ease of costs. The two projects were approved in 1962, and that August, $21 million in bonds were sold to finance the projects. The Laurel Hill bypass was opened to traffic on October 30, 1964 at a cost of $7.5 million. Not long after, on March 15, 1965 the new tube was opened, and had cost $12 million. On November 26, 1968 a 13-mile highway was opened, bypassing the Sideling Hill and Rays tunnels, as well as the Cove Valley Travel Plaza. A new Sideling Hill Travel Plaza was built to cater to travelers. This bypass left the former turnpike unusable, and it has sat abandoned since

Today, the eerie and overgrown turnpike remains a popular tourist attraction, as well as a public bike path managed by Friends of the Pike 2 Bike. Bikers may use the turnpike at their own risk. While abandoned since 1968, and despite any bit of maintenance being done, the tunnels still remain structurally sound, other than bits of vandalism caused at their entranceways.