PA Turnpike News

[Gnutella]

Any visible progress on the Beaver River bridge project?

They appear to be moving erf at the site of the project now. 

It's a little OT but it is disappointing to see New York and New Jersey add all these modern food options to their service plazas while the PA Turnpike seems to have stuck with the same Burger King and Roy Rogers options (with few other options at some plazas).  HMS Host's roadway plaza business was acquired by Applegreen, who is modernizing the NY Thruway plazas.  Even the NJ Turnpike now has options like Shake Shack and Chick-Fil-A.  I'd kill for one of those or a Panera on the PA Turnpike.

The only change I have seen in PA, meanwhile, is the replacement of some Starbucks locations with a Dunkin/Baskin Robbins combination.

Take a look at the crowds in some of the new Thruway plazas.  Be careful what you wish for.

Too busy, or not busy enough?

[Gnutella]

By the way, some BIG NEWS from earlier this year that nobody posted about: The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has finally moved forward with the Allegheny Mountain Tunnel replacement project. The "gray cut" is the chosen alternative, and the project is now in preliminary design.

[Dough4872]

By the way, some BIG NEWS from earlier this year that nobody posted about: The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has finally moved forward with the Allegheny Mountain Tunnel replacement project. The "gray cut" is the chosen alternative, and the project is now in preliminary design.

I wonder if the bypassed tunnel and roadway will become a trail similar to the section through the Rays Hill and Sideling Hill tunnels that was bypassed.

[vdeane]

Any visible progress on the Beaver River bridge project?

They appear to be moving erf at the site of the project now. 

It's a little OT but it is disappointing to see New York and New Jersey add all these modern food options to their service plazas while the PA Turnpike seems to have stuck with the same Burger King and Roy Rogers options (with few other options at some plazas).  HMS Host's roadway plaza business was acquired by Applegreen, who is modernizing the NY Thruway plazas.  Even the NJ Turnpike now has options like Shake Shack and Chick-Fil-A.  I'd kill for one of those or a Panera on the PA Turnpike.

The only change I have seen in PA, meanwhile, is the replacement of some Starbucks locations with a Dunkin/Baskin Robbins combination.

Take a look at the crowds in some of the new Thruway plazas.  Be careful what you wish for.

Too busy, or not busy enough?

They're somewhat cramped, especially the small size ones where the food line, aisle, and seating area are all the same space, and the number of bathrooms are limited.  The big ones are better on that front, but there are only so many on the system.  Of course, it doesn't help that half of them are closed right now.

The times I've been at them, the CFA line has been fairly long even in the middle of the afternoon well after the lunch rush.

[Gnutella]

Any visible progress on the Beaver River bridge project?

They appear to be moving erf at the site of the project now. 

It's a little OT but it is disappointing to see New York and New Jersey add all these modern food options to their service plazas while the PA Turnpike seems to have stuck with the same Burger King and Roy Rogers options (with few other options at some plazas).  HMS Host's roadway plaza business was acquired by Applegreen, who is modernizing the NY Thruway plazas.  Even the NJ Turnpike now has options like Shake Shack and Chick-Fil-A.  I'd kill for one of those or a Panera on the PA Turnpike.

The only change I have seen in PA, meanwhile, is the replacement of some Starbucks locations with a Dunkin/Baskin Robbins combination.

Take a look at the crowds in some of the new Thruway plazas.  Be careful what you wish for.

Too busy, or not busy enough?

They're somewhat cramped, especially the small size ones where the food line, aisle, and seating area are all the same space, and the number of bathrooms are limited.  The big ones are better on that front, but there are only so many on the system.  Of course, it doesn't help that half of them are closed right now.

The times I've been at them, the CFA line has been fairly long even in the middle of the afternoon well after the lunch rush.

Then maybe it's a good thing the Pennsylvania Turnpike doesn't have the "cool" restaurants at its service plazas, because every time I've been past the South Somerset Service Plaza, it's been so busy that vehicles were parked almost out to the gore of the exit ramp.

[jeffandnicole]

Any visible progress on the Beaver River bridge project?

They appear to be moving erf at the site of the project now. 

It's a little OT but it is disappointing to see New York and New Jersey add all these modern food options to their service plazas while the PA Turnpike seems to have stuck with the same Burger King and Roy Rogers options (with few other options at some plazas).  HMS Host's roadway plaza business was acquired by Applegreen, who is modernizing the NY Thruway plazas.  Even the NJ Turnpike now has options like Shake Shack and Chick-Fil-A.  I'd kill for one of those or a Panera on the PA Turnpike.

The only change I have seen in PA, meanwhile, is the replacement of some Starbucks locations with a Dunkin/Baskin Robbins combination.

Take a look at the crowds in some of the new Thruway plazas.  Be careful what you wish for.

Too busy, or not busy enough?

They're somewhat cramped, especially the small size ones where the food line, aisle, and seating area are all the same space, and the number of bathrooms are limited.  The big ones are better on that front, but there are only so many on the system.  Of course, it doesn't help that half of them are closed right now.

The times I've been at them, the CFA line has been fairly long even in the middle of the afternoon well after the lunch rush.

Even after they're all up and running, people will still be trying to sit while having others walk right past them uncomfortably close.  Imagine all the people walking in saying "Where's the bathroom" and kids shouting "Mom I gotta peeee!" while people are trying to sit and eat their food.  It's just a baffling design. 

[MASTERNC]

Any visible progress on the Beaver River bridge project?

They appear to be moving erf at the site of the project now. 

It's a little OT but it is disappointing to see New York and New Jersey add all these modern food options to their service plazas while the PA Turnpike seems to have stuck with the same Burger King and Roy Rogers options (with few other options at some plazas).  HMS Host's roadway plaza business was acquired by Applegreen, who is modernizing the NY Thruway plazas.  Even the NJ Turnpike now has options like Shake Shack and Chick-Fil-A.  I'd kill for one of those or a Panera on the PA Turnpike.

The only change I have seen in PA, meanwhile, is the replacement of some Starbucks locations with a Dunkin/Baskin Robbins combination.

Take a look at the crowds in some of the new Thruway plazas.  Be careful what you wish for.

Too busy, or not busy enough?

They're somewhat cramped, especially the small size ones where the food line, aisle, and seating area are all the same space, and the number of bathrooms are limited.  The big ones are better on that front, but there are only so many on the system.  Of course, it doesn't help that half of them are closed right now.

The times I've been at them, the CFA line has been fairly long even in the middle of the afternoon well after the lunch rush.

Then maybe it's a good thing the Pennsylvania Turnpike doesn't have the "cool" restaurants at its service plazas, because every time I've been past the South Somerset Service Plaza, it's been so busy that vehicles were parked almost out to the gore of the exit ramp.

The ones along the I-70 overlap get really crowded, especially during holiday travel periods. However, the others are generally much more tolerable, even the bi-directional ones

[ARMOURERERIC]

In the Turnpike system, what road is designated starting with H?

[Crown Victoria]

In the Turnpike system, what road is designated starting with H?

I believe that's how the I-95 section is designated.

[Dough4872]

https://www.paturnpike.com/news/details/2023/09/07/pa-turnpike-honors-truckers-for-2023-national-truck-driver-appreciation-week How cute. I'm sure the truckers would rather want discounts on tolls than free coffee and a donut.

[jmacswimmer]

https://www.paturnpike.com/news/details/2023/09/07/pa-turnpike-honors-truckers-for-2023-national-truck-driver-appreciation-week How cute. I'm sure the truckers would rather want discounts on tolls than free coffee and a donut.

Sounds exactly like management throwing a pizza party for pulling overtime rather than, you know, paying more 

I also didn't realize that Dunkin was starting to replace Starbucks at some of the turnpike service plazas - presumably related to Applegreen taking over from HMSHost? I noticed the same thing on the Maine Turnpike - when I stopped at West Gardiner in late May the Starbucks had already closed and only BK & Popeyes were open, then when I checked their website a few weeks later I saw that a Dunkin had opened. Applegreen seems to be big on alternating Starbucks & Dunkin as the coffee joint, based on how the new Thruway plazas are shaping up.

[Ted$8roadFan]

https://www.paturnpike.com/news/details/2023/09/07/pa-turnpike-honors-truckers-for-2023-national-truck-driver-appreciation-week How cute. I'm sure the truckers would rather want discounts on tolls than free coffee and a donut.

Sounds exactly like management throwing a pizza party for pulling overtime rather than, you know, paying more 

I also didn't realize that Dunkin was starting to replace Starbucks at some of the turnpike service plazas - presumably related to Applegreen taking over from HMSHost? I noticed the same thing on the Maine Turnpike - when I stopped at West Gardiner in late May the Starbucks had already closed and only BK & Popeyes were open, then when I checked their website a few weeks later I saw that a Dunkin had opened. Applegreen seems to be big on alternating Starbucks & Dunkin as the coffee joint, based on how the new Thruway plazas are shaping up.

I wonder if Starbucks is easing itself out of the highway rest area business, or if it is being eased out of that business.

[Flyer78]

Could also be, in PA's case - aging out of contracts. (Already 15 years for Allentown, for example)

[Gnutella]

Last weekend, I took a drive on the Pennsylvania Turnpike from Irwin to Somerset, and I've determined that the segment from MM 74 to MM 99 should be relatively easy to expand to six lanes. The interior shoulders have a consistent 10' width on both sides of the median barrier along the entire segment, except for a mile or so on both sides of the New Stanton interchange, where it narrows to 4'. Also, once the segment from MM 99 to MM 109 is finished with its reconstruction and six-lane widening, the only segment with only two lanes eastbound from Irwin to Somerset will be from MM 74 to MM 83. On the other hand, there are only two lanes westbound along the entire segment from MM 74 to MM 99, so that's where most of the work will have to be. Also, about half of the overpasses (six?) on that segment will have to be replaced since they can't fit six lanes underneath. As for the narrower median near the New Stanton interchange, I'm betting that'll be dealt with if there are plans to reconfigure the interchange. Likewise, based on Google Street View east of the Somerset interchange, replacing three overpasses and adding an extra lane in each direction is all that'd be needed once the Allegheny Mountain Tunnel bypass is built, because the interior shoulders are a consistent 10' there as well.

[kurumi]

The Turnpike got called out in a Reddit thread for being fairly expensive end to end: https://www.reddit.com/r/MapPorn/comments/16haspw/most_expensive_toll_roads_in_the_us/

[MASTERNC]

The Turnpike got called out in a Reddit thread for being fairly expensive end to end: https://www.reddit.com/r/MapPorn/comments/16haspw/most_expensive_toll_roads_in_the_us/

I think it qualifies as the most expensive long-distance toll road in the country.  On a per-mile basis, some of these short toll roads are more expensive, but the PTC is comparing apples & oranges when it states that.

[Alps]

The Turnpike got called out in a Reddit thread for being fairly expensive end to end: https://www.reddit.com/r/MapPorn/comments/16haspw/most_expensive_toll_roads_in_the_us/

I think it qualifies as the most expensive long-distance toll road in the country.  On a per-mile basis, some of these short toll roads are more expensive, but the PTC is comparing apples & oranges when it states that.

A single toll booth is infinite dollars per mile when you pass under the reader.

[ARMOURERERIC]

So then....is 99-109 officially  completed?

[Gnutella]

So then....is 99-109 officially  completed?

Not yet.

[storm2k]

Drove the Turnpike from Bensalem to Valley Forge yesterday, and saw several of the ORT gantries in various states of install. I was looking at the PTC's website about ORT, and I notice that there are no gantries planned east of the one at MP 348.7 which is between Bensalem and Willow Grove. Is there not one east of there because they're counting the existing Neshaminy Falls plaza (which they are going to need to reconstruct at whatever point they finally 3-lane that segment) as an ORT point since it already has the infrastructure in place? I would imagine they would want at least one last ORT point east of Bensalem before they get to the 95 interchange.

[MASTERNC]

Drove the Turnpike from Bensalem to Valley Forge yesterday, and saw several of the ORT gantries in various states of install. I was looking at the PTC's website about ORT, and I notice that there are no gantries planned east of the one at MP 348.7 which is between Bensalem and Willow Grove. Is there not one east of there because they're counting the existing Neshaminy Falls plaza (which they are going to need to reconstruct at whatever point they finally 3-lane that segment) as an ORT point since it already has the infrastructure in place? I would imagine they would want at least one last ORT point east of Bensalem before they get to the 95 interchange.

I think Neshaminy Falls will remain the end of the toll based system (other than the bridge). That would also mean travel between US 1 and Street Road would be toll free.

[Gnutella]

Drove the Turnpike from Bensalem to Valley Forge yesterday, and saw several of the ORT gantries in various states of install. I was looking at the PTC's website about ORT, and I notice that there are no gantries planned east of the one at MP 348.7 which is between Bensalem and Willow Grove. Is there not one east of there because they're counting the existing Neshaminy Falls plaza (which they are going to need to reconstruct at whatever point they finally 3-lane that segment) as an ORT point since it already has the infrastructure in place? I would imagine they would want at least one last ORT point east of Bensalem before they get to the 95 interchange.

I think Neshaminy Falls will remain the end of the toll based system (other than the bridge). That would also mean travel between US 1 and Street Road would be toll free.

"Street Road" could be the name of a Parkway Drive cover band.

[Plutonic Panda]

Disclaimer: I haven't yet been to the Northeast which includes driving the PA turnpike.

That said I saw a map on a Facebook group awhile ago(just now getting around to posting about it)pointing out the most expensive toll roads to drive across by state and PA turnpike took the cake by far and large. It claimed it was almost $200 to drive the entire road end to end.

Two questions: is that true? Is it is; why does the road seem to be in such shitty condition? Penn dot gets a lot to crap about having bad roads but I'll reserve judgement until I see it for myself. Until then, if they really do have bad roads, where is all that money going if it really does cost that much to drive it? It should be one of the best roads in the world.

[davewiecking]

Disclaimer: I haven't yet been to the Northeast which includes driving the PA turnpike.

That said I saw a map on a Facebook group awhile ago(just now getting around to posting about it)pointing out the most expensive toll roads to drive across by state and PA turnpike took the cake by far and large. It claimed it was almost $200 to drive the entire road end to end.

Two questions: is that true? Is it is; why does the road seem to be in such shitty condition? Penn dot gets a lot to crap about having bad roads but I'll reserve judgement until I see it for myself. Until then, if they really do have bad roads, where is all that money going if it really does cost that much to drive it? It should be one of the best roads in the world.

https://www.paturnpike.com/toll-calculator/toll-schedules

[wanderer2575]

Disclaimer: I haven't yet been to the Northeast which includes driving the PA turnpike.

That said I saw a map on a Facebook group awhile ago(just now getting around to posting about it)pointing out the most expensive toll roads to drive across by state and PA turnpike took the cake by far and large. It claimed it was almost $200 to drive the entire road end to end.

Two questions: is that true? Is it is; why does the road seem to be in such shitty condition? Penn dot gets a lot to crap about having bad roads but I'll reserve judgement until I see it for myself. Until then, if they really do have bad roads, where is all that money going if it really does cost that much to drive it? It should be one of the best roads in the world.

This explains at least part of the answer:  https://www.paturnpike.com/news/the-road-ahead/july-2021-transit-payment