What are those little ramps along the turnpike for?

[roadgeek01]

Inspired by the thread about service plaza access roads, I have seen roads that cross the PA turnpike with what appear to be ramps that are not exits, and I am wondering what they are for.  I assume for emergency vehicles, but i want to confirm this.  An example is where I-76 crosses over PA-743.

[KeithE4Phx]

Ramps for heavy trucks to pull over on if they go out of control on a steep downgrade?  It's been over 30 years since I was there last, but I remember seeing a lot of those on PA freeways.

[Ben114]

We have those ramps in MA as well. The main purpose of these ramps is to help emergency crews respond to an emergency along the turnpike, where exits are far spaced.

[cpzilliacus]

Maryland has them on a few toll roads.  Here are a gated set on MD-200 (Intercounty Connector) at MD-115 (Muncaster Mill Road) in the Derwood area of Montgomery County. These are primarily for fire/EMS response, but can be used by police and MDTA maintenance vehicles as well.

[CardInLex]

One on I-265 in Louisville too. The sign facing the ramp says something like "Activate Flashing Lights Before Entering Roadway"  

https://goo.gl/maps/34Mb5dD9yAgyzrNy9

[hobsini2]

One on I-265 in Louisville too. The sign facing the ramp says something like "Activate Flashing Lights Before Entering Roadway"  

https://goo.gl/maps/34Mb5dD9yAgyzrNy9

I suspect that is specifically for the Tunnel access to the southeast.

[wriddle082]

We have those ramps in MA as well. The main purpose of these ramps is to help emergency crews respond to an emergency along the turnpike, where exits are far spaced.

Every time I passed by one of those ramps near Worcester area last year, a Statie was hiding on it running radar.

[hbelkins]

One on I-265 in Louisville too. The sign facing the ramp says something like "Activate Flashing Lights Before Entering Roadway"  

https://goo.gl/maps/34Mb5dD9yAgyzrNy9

What's with all these Google Maps links that get posted that show an up close and personal view of the pavement?

[kphoger]

What's with all these Google Maps links that get posted that show an up close and personal view of the pavement?

I think it's when people share a link from their phone.  Not entirely sure of that, though.

[jeffandnicole]

Inspired by the thread about service plaza access roads, I have seen roads that cross the PA turnpike with what appear to be ramps that are not exits, and I am wondering what they are for.  I assume for emergency vehicles, but i want to confirm this.  An example is where I-76 crosses over PA-743.

Here's a GSV for what you're referencing: https://goo.gl/maps/17FbhmdwsVc2o6Fq8

Yes, as others have mentioned it's specifically for emergency vehicles.  By panning over you'll see the access gate the nearby crews can get access thru.

Here's the GSV from 743 itself: https://goo.gl/maps/uuh2wr6RvxKE4X8j7

[CardInLex]

What's with all these Google Maps links that get posted that show an up close and personal view of the pavement?

I think it's when people share a link from their phone.  Not entirely sure of that, though.

Sorry! It is the link shared from the Google Maps app on iPhone. When I click the link it opens perfectly.

[RG407]

Last October a friend of mine and I went to Pennsylvania for a trip.  We were in Hershey and wanted to go to Philadelphia.  Apple's stock map app on the iPhone took us on what seemed like a long out-of-the-way routing through all sorts of back roads to the Pennsylvania Turnpike.  Except it took us to one of those access ramps.  It did the same thing to us in Delaware trying to get to I-495.  Google Maps got us back on track, eventually.

I've stuck with Google Maps ever since.