News:

The AARoads Wiki is live! Come check it out!

Main Menu

Ventilation Towers Liberty Tunnels

Started by roadman65, July 14, 2022, 08:56:47 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

roadman65

I noticed that for the Liberty Tunnel that unlike all other PA Road Tunnels that have their ventilation buildings at the portals, has it midway on top of Mount Washington above it.

Here they are close up.
https://goo.gl/maps/Wp1FExvQJgm58CRT6
https://goo.gl/maps/NTDpCVBgBWyxyNwZ7

Here they are far away.

https://goo.gl/maps/wRzoDK9eQcgArY6z7


Every day is a winding road, you just got to get used to it.

Sheryl Crowe


ARMOURERERIC

There is an awesome website at Brooklineconnection.com it has alot of interesting sections to our community.  A vast history on the Liberty Bridge and tunnels, plus a image spread on the Golden triangle including paintings going back to the 1750's

VTGoose

Quote from: roadman65 on July 14, 2022, 08:56:47 AM
I noticed that for the Liberty Tunnel that unlike all other PA Road Tunnels that have their ventilation buildings at the portals, has it midway on top of Mount Washington above it.

Here they are close up.
https://goo.gl/maps/Wp1FExvQJgm58CRT6
https://goo.gl/maps/NTDpCVBgBWyxyNwZ7

Here they are far away.

https://goo.gl/maps/wRzoDK9eQcgArY6z7

I never knew that little factoid, thanks. Minor nit: yinzers refer to them as the "Liberty Tubes" not tunnels (Pittsburghese is its own dialect https://pittsburghspeech.pitt.edu/PittsburghSpeech_PgheseOverview.html). That is also only reserved for those tunnels, all the other tunnels -- Fort Pitt, Squirrel Hill, Wabash, Armstrong -- are called tunnels.

Bruce in Blacksburg -- but a native of the 'Burgh
"Get in the fast lane, grandma!  The bingo game is ready to roll!"

Mr_Northside

Quote from: VTGoose on July 14, 2022, 11:35:42 AM
Quote from: roadman65 on July 14, 2022, 08:56:47 AM
I noticed that for the Liberty Tunnel that unlike all other PA Road Tunnels that have their ventilation buildings at the portals, has it midway on top of Mount Washington above it.

Here they are close up.
https://goo.gl/maps/Wp1FExvQJgm58CRT6
https://goo.gl/maps/NTDpCVBgBWyxyNwZ7

Here they are far away.

https://goo.gl/maps/wRzoDK9eQcgArY6z7

I never knew that little factoid, thanks. Minor nit: yinzers refer to them as the "Liberty Tubes" not tunnels (Pittsburghese is its own dialect https://pittsburghspeech.pitt.edu/PittsburghSpeech_PgheseOverview.html). That is also only reserved for those tunnels, all the other tunnels -- Fort Pitt, Squirrel Hill, Wabash, Armstrong -- are called tunnels.

I suspect (and not going out on a limb here) -  it's mostly cause of the drop ceilings in the other tunnels.   They've since been removed, making them more tubular.... but the names are pretty set.
I don't have opinions anymore. All I know is that no one is better than anyone else, and everyone is the best at everything

SSR_317

Quote from: roadman65 on July 14, 2022, 08:56:47 AM
I noticed that for the Liberty Tunnel that unlike all other PA Road Tunnels that have their ventilation buildings at the portals, has it midway on top of Mount Washington above it.

Here they are close up.
https://goo.gl/maps/Wp1FExvQJgm58CRT6
https://goo.gl/maps/NTDpCVBgBWyxyNwZ7

Here they are far away.

https://goo.gl/maps/wRzoDK9eQcgArY6z7
According to Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty_Tunnel, the Tubes were completed in 1924 without a ventilation system. "There was not yet a ventilation system when the tunnels opened, but authorities decided the flow of traffic would allow for a natural draft of ventilation. On May 10, 1924, a traffic jam which occurred due to a Pittsburgh Street Railway Company strike, causing vehicles to be stopped, idling in the tunnels. Several motorists passed out from the fumes emitted from the exhaust of the congested vehicles. For the safety of motorists, the number of vehicles permitted through the tunnels was regulated until a ventilation system was installed."

"With help from the U.S. Bureau of Mines, tunnel engineers designed a system to ventilate the tunnels to accommodate the high traffic flow. In 1928, construction of four 200-foot (61 m) vertical shafts was completed to continuously provide fresh air to the tunnels. A plant located on top on the mountain was constructed to pump the fresh air through the shafts, which also tower 110 ft (34 m) above the plant. After the ventilation system was put into service, the traffic restrictions were lifted."



Opinions expressed here on belong solely to the poster and do not represent or reflect the opinions or beliefs of AARoads, its creators and/or associates.