I know it's been talked to death on these boards but I've never been. I plan on taking I-84 from CT to I-81 to I-76 out to I-70. I'm hoping the button copy on I-70 is still there near US-30. Any other button copy goodies along the way? Anything else of interest to get out there?
Quote from: Mergingtraffic on June 03, 2019, 03:35:31 PM
I know it's been talked to death on these boards but I've never been. I plan on taking I-84 from CT to I-81 to I-76 out to I-70. I'm hoping the button copy on I-70 is still there near US-30. Any other button copy goodies along the way? Anything else of interest to get out there?
Yep, can confirm the South Breezewood button copy, along with the first two distance signs along I-70 are still there. Went through 5/31.
Nearby is the abandoned PA Turnpike, and the original Breezewood interchange. If you plan on tackling the abandoned Turnpike, I heavily recommend a bike and a bright flashlight. The two tunnels along the route are
very dark.
If you don't mind a 25 minute side trip, you can also view the Sideling Hill cut west of Hancock, Maryland.
That's about it; other people could fill me in on some other goodies, but I'm not sure if you're interested in state parks or getting some US 30 mileage.
I believe it's gone now, but at one time there was a sign with a picture of a police officer with his whistle, pointing straight ahead with the caption "You! Slow Down!". Going by memory, not 100% sure I have the exact details right. I remember seeing it maybe 20-ish years ago; not sure when it went away. (I would drive through the area every so often). Maybe on the ramp from the Turnpike to US 30?
Reason I'm mentioning this - I looked around for a picture of it and couldn't find one. Maybe somebody on this board has one?
Also, is the abandoned part of the Turnpike still "discouraged, visit at your own risk"? Or has that changed?
Quote from: dlsterner on June 03, 2019, 11:27:45 PM
I believe it's gone now, but at one time there was a sign with a picture of a police officer with his whistle, pointing straight ahead with the caption "You! Slow Down!". Going by memory, not 100% sure I have the exact details right. I remember seeing it maybe 20-ish years ago; not sure when it went away. (I would drive through the area every so often). Maybe on the ramp from the Turnpike to US 30?
Reason I'm mentioning this - I looked around for a picture of it and couldn't find one. Maybe somebody on this board has one?
Also, is the abandoned part of the Turnpike still "discouraged, visit at your own risk"? Or has that changed?
No, I've never seen the fake police officer. I've been going through Breezewood for about 10 years now, so sometime between 1999-2009 it got removed. For the abandoned PA Turnpike, it's definitely still use at your own risk. I'm not sure if the PTC is still restrictive over its control of the abandoned turnpike, but the other 11 miles (PTC owns 2 of the 13 miles) haven't seen much improvement recently.
Quote from: Mergingtraffic on June 03, 2019, 03:35:31 PM
I know it's been talked to death on these boards
At least this is specific to your road trip, and not another general discussion thread (which would probably get locked upon sight). :sombrero:
There is button copy in both directions, unless it's been replaced since Thanksgiving weekend. Check out my Flickr page if you want to get your own photos of the stuff I shot. One find I came across was a wide I-70 marker at the South Breezewood exit. There are some state-named markers along some of the side streets.
If you're spending the night, I've stayed at both the Quality and Days inns at Breezewood and had good experiences at both. A number of restaurants are closed there now, but there's a very busy Sheetz.
There is a fair amount of button copy on US 30 in the Everett area as well.
Quote from: Mapmikey on June 04, 2019, 12:56:35 PM
There is a fair amount of button copy on US 30 in the Everett area as well.
It was gone back in November unless I somehow missed it, and I used US 30 exclusively between Bedford and Breezewood.
The fake police officer sign is now in a state museum, I think in Harrisburg.
Edited to add: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=21083.msg2272254#msg2272254
Edited again: If you have any interest in a non-road-related attraction, Fallingwater is about 90 miles west of Breezewood. Easy drive. I found it very interesting to visit.
Quote from: 1995hoo on June 04, 2019, 04:08:50 PM
Edited again: If you have any interest in a non-road-related attraction, Fallingwater is about 90 miles west of Breezewood. Easy drive. I found it very interesting to visit.
I can confirm; Fallingwater is a very worthwhile diversion. And, while you're in the area sightseeing, why not stop by Shanksville, PA to view the site of the 9-11 plane crash? That site is on my list next time we drive through that area. I have family in Hanover, PA.
Quote from: hbelkins on June 04, 2019, 04:07:44 PM
Quote from: Mapmikey on June 04, 2019, 12:56:35 PM
There is a fair amount of button copy on US 30 in the Everett area as well.
It was gone back in November unless I somehow missed it, and I used US 30 exclusively between Bedford and Breezewood.
These were still here Sept 2018...
https://goo.gl/maps/trwsbnyjBBULzn6u7
https://goo.gl/maps/hnAPdJH36SaGrGKx8
https://goo.gl/maps/ibfPhM6wvPm81brt8
https://goo.gl/maps/dVALAYhAJhrCwac38
It looks like a few more have been changed out since I took some photos in 2014 at http://www.vahighways.com/oldsigns/oos.htm#pa
Thanks for the kindhearted suggestions. I went yesterday and I was kind of surprised by Breezewood. IDK I just expected more stores. There were only a handful or fast food joints, hotels and gas stations. Some closed down stores. Most places were empty with not a lot of customers at all. This was around 5pm. The whole area isn't that big at all...not even a mile long it seems.
I just expected more of a strip mall scenario. I just expected more. It seemed odd there, the cheesy souvenir shops don't help, except for the sounds of trucks all day, it was very quiet.
My sign pics are posted on my Flickr page. I didn't get all of them as there was a construction crew in the area and I didn't want to be questioned by anyone. However the button copy had dates of April 1974 on the back. They weren't original to the expressway opening, if it was opened in the 60s. I expected them to be older actually.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/98731835@N05/
The pic below I almost fell down the embankment but still got the shot. Btw, what was under the "3?" A battered "3?" A different number all together?
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48009856938_54bb716058_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2g9t4Q7)
I also noticed there weren't any BYSes that said EXPRESSWAY ENDS. There were diamond warning signs and a couple over hanging warning signs but nothing that jumped out at that said the expressway was not continuous. I think PA has more signs when the speed limit drops from 65mph to 55mph. LOL
Quote from: Mergingtraffic on June 05, 2019, 08:16:48 PM
The pic below I almost fell down the embankment but still got the shot. Btw, what was under the "3?" A battered "3?" A different number all together?
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48009856938_54bb716058_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2g9t4Q7)
Probably had an inch or two more before a resurfacing project in the past.
Quote from: Mapmikey on June 05, 2019, 08:00:17 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on June 04, 2019, 04:07:44 PM
Quote from: Mapmikey on June 04, 2019, 12:56:35 PM
There is a fair amount of button copy on US 30 in the Everett area as well.
It was gone back in November unless I somehow missed it, and I used US 30 exclusively between Bedford and Breezewood.
These were still here Sept 2018...
https://goo.gl/maps/trwsbnyjBBULzn6u7
https://goo.gl/maps/hnAPdJH36SaGrGKx8
https://goo.gl/maps/ibfPhM6wvPm81brt8
https://goo.gl/maps/dVALAYhAJhrCwac38
It looks like a few more have been changed out since I took some photos in 2014 at http://www.vahighways.com/oldsigns/oos.htm#pa
The "Huntington 46" sign has definitely been replaced.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/4828/32774588168_594fb0f592_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/RWbkdm)2018 Breezewood-abandoned PA Turnpike trip Day 2 - 061 (https://flic.kr/p/RWbkdm) by H.B. Elkins (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hbelkins/), on Flickr
My pics from my most recent trip to Breezewood are at https://www.flickr.com/photos/hbelkins/albums/72157688487711733