Question: PA tunnels

Golden_HVAC wrote:

Most of the Turnpike system was part of the old railroad system. The old rail beds where taken up, and the roadway paved. A couple of the old tunnels where "Daylighted" - or the earth above the tunnel was totally removed! so that the roadway was in daylight!

A couple of the tunnels on the original east-west turnpike have now been bypassed. Sideling Hill tunnel comes to mind.

Drbolasky wrote:
RV's go through the Lehigh Tunnel all the time - no issues.

Jerrybo66 - thanks for adding your experiences to this thread. Most folks don't know that the original Lehigh Tunnel (now the northbound lanes) was first a railroad tunnel.

Most of the Turnpike system was part of the old railroad system. The old rail beds where taken up, and the roadway paved. A couple of the old tunnels where "Daylighted" - or the earth above the tunnel was totally removed! so that the roadway was in daylight!

Tunnel maintenance is expensive, and once you remove the mountain there is no further maintenance or inspection costs.

100 pounds of propane is slightly more than 20 gallons. Most RV's have smaller propane tanks.

Good luck on your travels.

Fred.

Jerrybo66 wrote:
FWIW..


Only truckers need to read further.
The company lowboy had no "working" brakes. Small wheels, small brakes. Eastern PA.is all mountains. I would top a hill at about 10 mph to get ready for the downward run with no reliable brakes. I used engine compression in low until it was over revved, then next gear, next gear, etc. Hoping I wouldn't have to shift into the Hail Mary gear, neutral. There were no safety issues, the run was made in the wee hours of the night. The tunnel got built, I got paid for the delivery, so why do we need all the modern BS that I know would accompany this delivery I modern time.???

They were real truckers back then and knew trucks !! My dad would roll over in his grave if he saw what trucking has become. Now they go to a trucking school for a few weeks and... Walhaaaaaa you're a Trucker (without a clue)....lol Todays equipment is a lot safer but some of the drivers make you wonder !!

Tunnels on the PA turnpike at one time had two-way traffic in one tunnel. When I was in trucking in Pa. I delivered the "banana frames" for a new tunnel so each lane had their own tunnel. It was quite a project. Tunnel borer tires were the height of my 18 wheel tractor.
So, the next time you're going through one of the Eastern tunnels and don't see an eighteen wheeler bearing down on you from the opposite direction, think maybe, jerrybo66 had a small part in your safety...

Thank you, Jerry. I will admit, I used to enjoy the old, 2-lane tunnels on the Pike when I was a kid. They sure do seem safer & nicer now.

RV's go through the Lehigh Tunnel all the time - no issues.

Jerrybo66 - thanks for adding your experiences to this thread. Most folks don't know that the original Lehigh Tunnel (now the northbound lanes) was first a railroad tunnel.

FWIW..
Tunnels on the PA turnpike at one time had two-way traffic in one tunnel. When I was in trucking in Pa. I delivered the "banana frames" for a new tunnel so each lane had their own tunnel. It was quite a project. Tunnel borer tires were the height of my 18 wheel tractor.
So, the next time you're going through one of the Eastern tunnels and don't see an eighteen wheeler bearing down on you from the opposite direction, think maybe, jerrybo66 had a small part in your safety...:B :B

Only truckers need to read further.
The company lowboy had no "working" brakes. Small wheels, small brakes. Eastern PA.is all mountains. I would top a hill at about 10 mph to get ready for the downward run with no reliable brakes. I used engine compression in low until it was over revved, then next gear, next gear, etc. Hoping I wouldn't have to shift into the Hail Mary gear, neutral. There were no safety issues, the run was made in the wee hours of the night. The tunnel got built, I got paid for the delivery, so why do we need all the modern BS that I know would accompany this delivery I modern time.???

From the FAQ's on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Website:

I will be driving on the Turnpike with propane gas or a placarded load. Are there any restrictions I should be aware of?

If you are hauling propane and the weight is 100 pounds or under, you are safe to travel without restriction. If, however, you are carrying over 100 pounds of propane or a placard, please see our hazardous material section for any restrictions that may apply.

The ONLY PA tunnel I know that will not allow RV (with propane) is on the North East extension...( RT 476) The North South Version of the PA Pike.. I have taken 2-3 trips from Eastern PA to Indiana all on the turnpike without having to exit.. The tunnel in question is between the Lehigh Valley exit and the Mahoning Valley exit...