Pennsylvania Roads - I-76 - Abandoned Tpk. WB 1

Abandoned Pennsylvania Tpk. (I-76), Breezewood
Westbound page 1



Starting from the very eastern end of the Pike2Bike trail, where my eastbound photos left off, and heading back on the same side (the two sides were so rarely in comparable condition, I pretty much photographed the same side in both directions) past the rest area this time. Just remember, the "good" side is really a relative term, but even with conditions like this, the Turnpike still beats the hell out of the steep hills and 18-wheelers on US 30.


Proving in the first photo that the eastbound lanes are indeed worse, I continue west, and am surprised to find that the trees on the right (north) side of the road have started to populate the median.


In the background, where you don't see trees is the rock cut that carries current I-76 over the former highway. The Sideling Hill Tunnel comes up first, though, so you won't even see the new highway as you cross underneath it.


Around a curve with a few lane stripes, and then approaching the Sideling Hill Tunnel from the eastbound side, with the concrete median taking over for the grassy one as the westbound side narrows to one lane. Having talked at length on my first (eastbound) trip through with the organizer of the legitimate tours on the abandoned Turnpike, who told me I was not allowed to explore the Tunnel, I of course thanked him, continued on my way, doubled back, and made sure to explore the Tunnel. That page is very much linked below as "Into the Sideling Hill Tunnel," and I very much suggest you visit it.


Up to the tunnel, which originally said SIDELING HILL above the portal, and then turning left into that mysterious room in the second photo.


There's not much to see in this room, and you can't get to any other rooms, because, well, even if you're a good climber, would you trust rusty stairs with your weight if half of them are already missing? You'd also be reluctant to crawl through a door with jagged pieces of glass, so it's a good thing the door is open. All you see in that little second room is that light and those pipes, anyway.


Back outside, with a photo of the asphalt of the eastbound tunnel approach (or, technically, departure, I suppose), with the concrete curb median coming right up to the concrete tunnel pavement. Under the asphalt is more concrete.


This is why lights and helmets are required. What you can't see certainly can hurt you (I'm referring to the fist-size concrete chunks on either side, which could only have come from the ceiling).


A ghostly centerline photo, then out to the other side of the tunnel, where you can sort of see what's going on outside. I'll leave that for the second page, and leave you here with a mysterious manhole. I was not willing to climb down there on my own and explore in the depths of decaying leaves and other muck.

Continue westward
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Into the Sideling Hill Tunnel
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