PA Turnpike continues to take Somerset into the future

By: WJAC Web Staff

SOMERSET, Pa. -- Described as the "Highway of the Future," the Pennsylvania Turnpike has literally been built into the mountains and lives of Somerset County residents.

The Turnpike was born out of the idea of safer cross-state travel, but also was built at a time when Americans needed work the most.

To complete the Turnpike task, which wasn't easy with the mountainous terrain through Somerset County, engineers used abandoned railroad tunnels to create the highway's path.

The first tunnel along the mainline Turnpike was the Laurel Hill Tunnel, which connected Westmoreland and Somerset counties.

The tunnel was used until 1964, when it was bypassed.

That tunnel was put back into service in the early 2000s, reportedly by western Pennsylvania race team owner Chip Ganassi, according to Racecar Engineering. The tunnel is reportedly used by Ganassi to test NASCAR and Indy cars.

The second tunnel drilled for the Turnpike was the Allegheny Tunnel, in the eastern end of the county.

That tunnel is still in use today.

Just a few miles east of the tunnel is a unique feature, a set of stairs that lead from the interstate to a cemetery.

The stairs were put in as an agreement between the Turnpike Commission and St. John's Church in New Baltimore. The cemetery couldn't be taken by eminent domain during upgrades, so the stairs were built.

The stairs may not be around for much longer, as talks of Turnpike upgrades have them on the chopping block for safety reasons.