If you're a serious roadgeek, you know about the abandoned section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and how nothing has been done to it. Let's make some proposals. Here are a few suggestions people have had:
- World's longest buffet
- Yard sale site
- Tunnel bar
Anybody else have some?
Put bouncy houses inside of the tunnels.
One roadway is a nudist colony, the other is a religious retreat.
Quote from: Alps on February 19, 2017, 09:54:32 PM
One roadway is a nudist colony, the other is a religious retreat.
You put up fences. Duh.
Quote from: Alps on February 19, 2017, 09:54:50 PM
Quote from: Alps on February 19, 2017, 09:54:32 PM
One roadway is a nudist colony, the other is a religious retreat.
You put up fences. Duh.
No, build a great, big, beautiful WALL. And make the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission pay for it... :sombrero:
Quote from: Alps on February 19, 2017, 09:54:50 PM
Quote from: Alps on February 19, 2017, 09:54:32 PM
One roadway is a nudist colony, the other is a religious retreat.
You put up fences. Duh.
Yeah, the nudist colony does not want to see the religious retreat. :sombrero:
I vote for buffet.
But in all seriousness: rails-to-trails are set up in some cases to be reused as railroads should future business warrant it. Is this the case with the abandoned turnpike? Will it become a public road again if needed?
Here's another one: Use it for a music festival.
World's longest music festival (in distance, not time)
Quote from: Dougtone on February 19, 2017, 10:05:19 PM
Here's another one: Use it for a music festival.
Just make sure it doesn't end up like Woodstock '99
Quote from: cl94 on February 19, 2017, 10:06:41 PM
Quote from: Dougtone on February 19, 2017, 10:05:19 PM
Here's another one: Use it for a music festival.
Just make sure it doesn't end up like Woodstock '99
The PA Turnpike is closed, man!
Quote from: cjk374 on February 19, 2017, 10:02:58 PM
I vote for buffet.
But in all seriousness: rails-to-trails are set up in some cases to be reused as railroads should future business warrant it. Is this the case with the abandoned turnpike? Will it become a public road again if needed?
I-1776!
I vote making it a hiking trail
iPhone
National Strategic Pringles™ Reserve Storage Facility
Quote from: pringle5095 on February 19, 2017, 10:45:24 PM
I vote making it a hiking trail
Aren't there plans to make it a bicycle trail?
Quote from: inkyatari on February 20, 2017, 09:31:50 AM
Quote from: pringle5095 on February 19, 2017, 10:45:24 PM
I vote making it a hiking trail
Aren't there planes to make it a bicycle trail?
That would be a runway, not a bicycle trail. (Check what you said again.)
Quote from: inkyatari on February 20, 2017, 09:31:50 AM
Quote from: pringle5095 on February 19, 2017, 10:45:24 PM
I vote making it a hiking trail
Aren't there planes to make it a bicycle trail?
Yes, but for the past 16 years nothing has been done.
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=419.msg2207076#msg2207076
Has more info why.
Two words: Drag Strip! :)
Appalachia does suffer a dearth of 1/4 mile strips. There's a few 1/8 miles, but...
Reopen the road to traffic
(as it is, no repairs, no improvements) :spin:
Quote from: Alps on February 19, 2017, 09:54:32 PM
One roadway is a nudist colony, the other is a religious retreat.
:-D :-D :-D :clap: :clap: :spin:
Fill the tunnel with buttery caramel popcorn. Have World's longest slip-and-slide lead into it.
Are there any negatives to fixing the road and reopening it to traffic? I assume that the cost would be high but you could have develop along the roadway since it no longer functions as the PA Turnpike.
Alternatively, a bike path seems like the most logical solution. It's a pre-cleared carriageway, it should be used for some form of transportation. It'd be a waste otherwise.
Quote from: GCrites80s on February 20, 2017, 08:49:32 PM
There's a few 1/8 miles, but...
...we call those "on-ramps".
A hiking/walking/biking trail would be nice.
Quote from: The Nature Boy on February 27, 2017, 12:42:25 PM
Are there any negatives to fixing the road and reopening it to traffic? I assume that the cost would be high but you could have develop along the roadway since it no longer functions as the PA Turnpike.
The fan plants are shot. Replacing those would cost a fortune. You wouldn't need them for a bike path because bicycles by definition don't produce pollution.
That being said, the Rays Hill tunnel is already a bit of a tourist attraction. A short drive and level hike from Breezewood. I was far from the only person stopping by on a humid 80 degree day. Parking lots and safer tunnel access (read: lights) could be great for the region. Heck, if they built a direct connection at Breezewood, an attraction such as a tunnel people can walk through might reduce business opposition to the project.
Quote from: The Nature Boy on February 27, 2017, 12:42:25 PM
Are there any negatives to fixing the road and reopening it to traffic? I assume that the cost would be high but you could have develop along the roadway since it no longer functions as the PA Turnpike.
You would have to find other roads to connect the road with. There are a few small roads that go over/under the original Turnpike. But this area is extremely rural - the existing roads are narrow with very little traffic (such as this example: https://goo.gl/maps/rqiYjSBEn3p ) There's no reason for anyone to develop this area. If Breezewood's top complaint is if they take the indirect connection away no one will visit the existing motels and fast food joints, that's not saying much for the possibility of further development in the area.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 27, 2017, 01:30:29 PM
Quote from: The Nature Boy on February 27, 2017, 12:42:25 PM
Are there any negatives to fixing the road and reopening it to traffic? I assume that the cost would be high but you could have develop along the roadway since it no longer functions as the PA Turnpike.
You would have to find other roads to connect the road with. There are a few small roads that go over/under the original Turnpike. But this area is extremely rural - the existing roads are narrow with very little traffic (such as this example: https://goo.gl/maps/rqiYjSBEn3p ) There's no reason for anyone to develop this area. If Breezewood's top complaint is if they take the indirect connection away no one will visit the existing motels and fast food joints, that's not saying much for the possibility of further development in the area.
Which is precisely why the thing should be spruced up and promoted as a tourist attraction to generate traffic. More local traffic = less opposition to a direct connection
Quote from: cl94 on February 27, 2017, 03:11:45 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 27, 2017, 01:30:29 PM
Quote from: The Nature Boy on February 27, 2017, 12:42:25 PM
Are there any negatives to fixing the road and reopening it to traffic? I assume that the cost would be high but you could have develop along the roadway since it no longer functions as the PA Turnpike.
You would have to find other roads to connect the road with. There are a few small roads that go over/under the original Turnpike. But this area is extremely rural - the existing roads are narrow with very little traffic (such as this example: https://goo.gl/maps/rqiYjSBEn3p ) There's no reason for anyone to develop this area. If Breezewood's top complaint is if they take the indirect connection away no one will visit the existing motels and fast food joints, that's not saying much for the possibility of further development in the area.
Which is precisely why the thing should be spruced up and promoted as a tourist attraction to generate traffic. More local traffic = less opposition to a direct connection
How much of a tourist attraction could you make it though? It's essentially an abandoned highway in rural Pennsylvania that is really only on the way for people who are traveling from the Midwest to DC. Only a few of us would go out of their way to go to it.
Quote from: The Nature Boy on February 27, 2017, 03:57:04 PM
Quote from: cl94 on February 27, 2017, 03:11:45 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 27, 2017, 01:30:29 PM
Quote from: The Nature Boy on February 27, 2017, 12:42:25 PM
Are there any negatives to fixing the road and reopening it to traffic? I assume that the cost would be high but you could have develop along the roadway since it no longer functions as the PA Turnpike.
You would have to find other roads to connect the road with. There are a few small roads that go over/under the original Turnpike. But this area is extremely rural - the existing roads are narrow with very little traffic (such as this example: https://goo.gl/maps/rqiYjSBEn3p ) There's no reason for anyone to develop this area. If Breezewood's top complaint is if they take the indirect connection away no one will visit the existing motels and fast food joints, that's not saying much for the possibility of further development in the area.
Which is precisely why the thing should be spruced up and promoted as a tourist attraction to generate traffic. More local traffic = less opposition to a direct connection
How much of a tourist attraction could you make it though? It's essentially an abandoned highway in rural Pennsylvania that is really only on the way for people who are traveling from the Midwest to DC. Only a few of us would go out of their way to go to it.
There are a plenty of people within four hours of this area. Pittsburgh, Baltimore, DC, Philadelphia. You can attract hikers, bikers for day trips or possible weekend excursions. The Great Allegheny Passage is a rail trail that attracts thousands of visitors each year (partly due to its length) but because of the proximity to Pittsburgh and DC and people that want to just have a one day or multiple day excursions.
Is it feasible - I am not sure- but the attraction of outdoor activity on something like the old PA Turnpike can and 'unofficially' has to a large amount of people not that far away.
Quote from: CanesFan27 on February 27, 2017, 08:42:01 PM
Quote from: The Nature Boy on February 27, 2017, 03:57:04 PM
Quote from: cl94 on February 27, 2017, 03:11:45 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 27, 2017, 01:30:29 PM
Quote from: The Nature Boy on February 27, 2017, 12:42:25 PM
Are there any negatives to fixing the road and reopening it to traffic? I assume that the cost would be high but you could have develop along the roadway since it no longer functions as the PA Turnpike.
You would have to find other roads to connect the road with. There are a few small roads that go over/under the original Turnpike. But this area is extremely rural - the existing roads are narrow with very little traffic (such as this example: https://goo.gl/maps/rqiYjSBEn3p ) There's no reason for anyone to develop this area. If Breezewood's top complaint is if they take the indirect connection away no one will visit the existing motels and fast food joints, that's not saying much for the possibility of further development in the area.
Which is precisely why the thing should be spruced up and promoted as a tourist attraction to generate traffic. More local traffic = less opposition to a direct connection
How much of a tourist attraction could you make it though? It's essentially an abandoned highway in rural Pennsylvania that is really only on the way for people who are traveling from the Midwest to DC. Only a few of us would go out of their way to go to it.
There are a plenty of people within four hours of this area. Pittsburgh, Baltimore, DC, Philadelphia. You can attract hikers, bikers for day trips or possible weekend excursions. The Great Allegheny Passage is a rail trail that attracts thousands of visitors each year (partly due to its length) but because of the proximity to Pittsburgh and DC and people that want to just have a one day or multiple day excursions.
Is it feasible - I am not sure- but the attraction of outdoor activity on something like the old PA Turnpike can and 'unofficially' has to a large amount of people not that far away.
The novelty of walking through a tunnel would attract quite a few people.
Quote from: 1 on February 20, 2017, 09:35:15 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on February 20, 2017, 09:31:50 AM
Quote from: pringle5095 on February 19, 2017, 10:45:24 PM
I vote making it a hiking trail
Aren't there planes to make it a bicycle trail?
That would be a runway, not a bicycle trail. (Check what you said again.)
Oops. Just caught that.
Quote from: cl94 on February 27, 2017, 08:58:49 PM
Quote from: CanesFan27 on February 27, 2017, 08:42:01 PM
Quote from: The Nature Boy on February 27, 2017, 03:57:04 PM
Quote from: cl94 on February 27, 2017, 03:11:45 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 27, 2017, 01:30:29 PM
Quote from: The Nature Boy on February 27, 2017, 12:42:25 PM
Are there any negatives to fixing the road and reopening it to traffic? I assume that the cost would be high but you could have develop along the roadway since it no longer functions as the PA Turnpike.
You would have to find other roads to connect the road with. There are a few small roads that go over/under the original Turnpike. But this area is extremely rural - the existing roads are narrow with very little traffic (such as this example: https://goo.gl/maps/rqiYjSBEn3p ) There's no reason for anyone to develop this area. If Breezewood's top complaint is if they take the indirect connection away no one will visit the existing motels and fast food joints, that's not saying much for the possibility of further development in the area.
Which is precisely why the thing should be spruced up and promoted as a tourist attraction to generate traffic. More local traffic = less opposition to a direct connection
How much of a tourist attraction could you make it though? It's essentially an abandoned highway in rural Pennsylvania that is really only on the way for people who are traveling from the Midwest to DC. Only a few of us would go out of their way to go to it.
There are a plenty of people within four hours of this area. Pittsburgh, Baltimore, DC, Philadelphia. You can attract hikers, bikers for day trips or possible weekend excursions. The Great Allegheny Passage is a rail trail that attracts thousands of visitors each year (partly due to its length) but because of the proximity to Pittsburgh and DC and people that want to just have a one day or multiple day excursions.
Is it feasible - I am not sure- but the attraction of outdoor activity on something like the old PA Turnpike can and 'unofficially' has to a large amount of people not that far away.
The novelty of walking through a tunnel would attract quite a few people.
We have now circled around back to this post on page 1: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=19720.msg2207161#msg2207161 .
A novelty? Yes.
So much so that an organization organized specifically to do as such couldn't get any community or municipal support? No.
Quote from: cl94 on February 27, 2017, 08:58:49 PM
Quote from: CanesFan27 on February 27, 2017, 08:42:01 PM
Quote from: The Nature Boy on February 27, 2017, 03:57:04 PM
Quote from: cl94 on February 27, 2017, 03:11:45 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on February 27, 2017, 01:30:29 PM
Quote from: The Nature Boy on February 27, 2017, 12:42:25 PM
Are there any negatives to fixing the road and reopening it to traffic? I assume that the cost would be high but you could have develop along the roadway since it no longer functions as the PA Turnpike.
You would have to find other roads to connect the road with. There are a few small roads that go over/under the original Turnpike. But this area is extremely rural - the existing roads are narrow with very little traffic (such as this example: https://goo.gl/maps/rqiYjSBEn3p ) There's no reason for anyone to develop this area. If Breezewood's top complaint is if they take the indirect connection away no one will visit the existing motels and fast food joints, that's not saying much for the possibility of further development in the area.
Which is precisely why the thing should be spruced up and promoted as a tourist attraction to generate traffic. More local traffic = less opposition to a direct connection
How much of a tourist attraction could you make it though? It's essentially an abandoned highway in rural Pennsylvania that is really only on the way for people who are traveling from the Midwest to DC. Only a few of us would go out of their way to go to it.
There are a plenty of people within four hours of this area. Pittsburgh, Baltimore, DC, Philadelphia. You can attract hikers, bikers for day trips or possible weekend excursions. The Great Allegheny Passage is a rail trail that attracts thousands of visitors each year (partly due to its length) but because of the proximity to Pittsburgh and DC and people that want to just have a one day or multiple day excursions.
Is it feasible - I am not sure- but the attraction of outdoor activity on something like the old PA Turnpike can and 'unofficially' has to a large amount of people not that far away.
The novelty of walking through a tunnel would attract quite a few people.
Wouldn't the novelty wear off after a couple of trips though?
I agree that it should be a bike trail but I'm not sure how much you invest in making it a "tourist attraction" (which I assume means buying ads, building a gift shop....etc).
As I recall, the main "lack of support" came from Fulton County, who saw it as a way to further feed Breezewood business interests and they wouldn't get much in return for what they were asked to contribute.
Now if financials could be found/arranged such that Fulton County wouldn't have to pay, you might wind up with the municipal support...
Quote from: froggie on February 28, 2017, 09:43:12 AM
As I recall, the main "lack of support" came from Fulton County, who saw it as a way to further feed Breezewood business interests and they wouldn't get much in return for what they were asked to contribute.
Now if financials could be found/arranged such that Fulton County wouldn't have to pay, you might wind up with the municipal support...
The chances that one county will pay the millions necessary for improvements in another county are nil. Are taxpayers of the county Breezewood is located in going to want to see their taxes go to improve something in another county? If they want to promote something and increase tourism, they'll just find a reason to do it in their own county.
Not to mention now you have to get into a whole lot of sharing agreements. Who will pay what? If a cop is needed due to an issue, who pays for that? It sounds like little things, but these are the issues local government goes through all the time.