Yesterday was the end of the line for the Turnpike ride at Pittsburgh's Kennywood Park. It's being replaced for a new coaster.
Story: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09229/991421-140.stm (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09229/991421-140.stm)
Blog entry w/ memories: http://surewhynotnow.blogspot.com/2009/08/end-of-line-for-kennywood-parks.html (http://surewhynotnow.blogspot.com/2009/08/end-of-line-for-kennywood-parks.html)
^^^
Well I see the article said that it may not be gone forever. :clap:
I saw this on the news a few days ago as well. Really sad. But I do hope they find a new place for it. :)
Noooooo, that ride is epic as an parkgoer and a roadgeek. :-(
For those who want to take a virtual trek down the Turnpike one final time can go here...
http://www.screamscape.com/html/kennywood.htm (http://www.screamscape.com/html/kennywood.htm)
This is a site I also regularly visit and knew they would have some coverage of this story.
The last time I rode "The Turnpike," the gas station where you began was branded Gulf (much like they were on the real Turnpike ten miles away).
When rebuilt, they should change its name to "The Turnpike 43" for the future expressway that is to run across the river which will bear that designation.
Well... unless the PTC can find a boatload of money, a re-branded "Turnpike 43" ride might be the closest Kennywood gets to it.
^^^
If the PTC wasn't throwing hundreds of millions of $$$ at PennDOT, it would have the money to finish PA TPK 43! :pan:
Quote from: Mr_Northside on August 18, 2009, 09:37:27 AM
Well... unless the PTC can find a boatload of money, a re-branded "Turnpike 43" ride might be the closest Kennywood gets to it.
They already have it: Turnpike drivers. The PTC just needs to keep West Virginia's hands off the tolls from the Mason-Dixon Link.
This'll end up being another I-476, It'll get the state-designation for a couple decades, and when the new interstate designation is approved, it'll become another route down the hole, a la PA 9.
Quote from: Roadgeek_Adam on August 18, 2009, 02:30:02 PM
This'll end up being another I-476, It'll get the state-designation for a couple decades, and when the new interstate designation is approved, it'll become another route down the hole, a la PA 9.
That idea was already floated. A Fayette County Commissioner wanted I-97.
:| - This state needs some wiring.
That would make it the 3rd or 4th decommissioned alignment of PA 43.
Quote from: Roadgeek_Adam on August 18, 2009, 05:17:46 PM
:| - This state needs some wiring.
That would make it the 3rd or 4th decommissioned alignment of PA 43.
Others have bounced around the Commonwealth as much if not more such as PA 17 and PA 33 to name a few. There is no rhyme nor reason as to the process, just look at PA 12.
I thought that part of 43 was going to become 576. Maybe not, though
The Mon-Fayette "Y" will be just south of Kennywood near Duquesne where 576 will turn to Monroeville and 43 continuing along the Monongahela River.
I thought the planned split was going to be to the North of Kennywood. (on the other (north) side of the Mon)
^^^
At least someone got Kennywood back in the subject.
If Kennywood worked like the PTC or PennDOT, the Turnpike Cars won't return for another 40 years! :pan:
Quote from: Mr_Northside on August 21, 2009, 02:26:13 PMI thought the planned split was going to be to the North of Kennywood. (on the other (north) side of the Mon)
The project map (http://www.paturnpike.com/monfaydat/mappages/projectmap.htm) shows the split just south of East Pittsburgh near the western end of the Westinghouse Bridge.
Quote from: mightyace on August 21, 2009, 03:48:49 PMIf Kennywood worked like the PTC or PennDOT, the Turnpike Cars won't return for another 40 years! :pan:
I can drive through a toll plaza anywhere on the Turnpike System without stopping to pay the toll; however, I still have to wait in line at Kennywood to ride anything. No FastPass like Disney has at their parks.
^^^ Touche! :ded:
Six Flags used to have that type of thing, too. I don't know if they still do, but they've sold off parks in the last few years anyway.