Happy 80th, Pennsylvania Turnpike! [my title]

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | 9/27/20 | Neal A. Schoor

[foreverfree]

Oct. 1 marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. For most people today, this is no cause for celebration. Today, when people hear the words “Pennsylvania Turnpike,” the thoughts that come to mind are: antiquated, too many trucks and, more than anything, ever-rising tolls. But it wasn’t always this way.

[foreverfree]

I waited till today, the birthday of the original 160-mile Carlisle-to-Irwin segment, which I've driven (not in one fell swoop). I've also driven other segments.

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[foreverfree]

Make that "I waited till today, the birthday of the original 160-mile Carlisle-to-Irwin segment, which I've driven (not in one fell swoop), to post this. I've also driven other segments."

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[ConservativeInPA]

Here we have the poster child of an overpriced, poorly maintained road that employs hordes of lazy ass and overpaid government employees. Yes, let’s celebrate.

[BenLurkin]

Do they charge tolls on that turnpike?

Seem to recall that it was sold to voters on the idea that once the construction cost was recovered — tolls would be discontinued and the road would be free.

[dirtboy]

Now the tolls are partially used to fund mass transit and other unrelated projects, and they automatically increase every year.

[SamAdams76]

Turnpikes are the greatest.

I remember driving the Massachusetts Turnpike all the way from Boston to the NY border and then back again. I would stop at the rest areas along the way to get coffee and food.

[EC Washington]

81 is still not connected to the turnpike. you have to get off in Carlisle and drive 2 miles on a pot hole filled road to enter 76. With all of the new warehouses in Carlisle, truck traffic is a nightmare.

[Olog-hai]

Originally the roadbed of the unbuilt South Pennsylvania Railroad.

[jdsteel]

Seem to recall that it was sold to voters on the idea that once the construction WAS FINISHED and cost was recovered — tolls would be discontinued and the road would be free.

That’s why the construction never ends.

[Olog-hai]

With gas taxes (supposedly) paying for ongoing maintenance, roads are never “free”.

[Dalberg-Acton]

The Dallas to Fort Worth section of I-30 began as a turnpike. It was paid off and opened. Part of it is now named for Tom Landrey.

[Dr. Sivana]

Seem to recall that it was sold to voters on the idea that once the construction cost was recovered — tolls would be discontinued and the road would be free.

Same for New York's Verrrazano Bridge, which is something like $13 one way these days.

[Dr. Sivana]

Turnpikes are the greatest.

Agreed. I always preferred the Merritt/Wilbur Cross Parkway over I-91/I-95 in CT. The Hutchinson River Parkway in New York State on a Sunday morning is also a nice drive.

[PAR35]

But they keep raising the tolls on the NTTA roads. Portions of the DNT are over a half century old, and the main changes have been the increases in the tolls.

[BluH2o]

Lived in CT for a number of years. Business trips by car took me across the entire length of the PA Turnpike numerous times, as well as I-80 that parallels the Turnpike across northern part of the state. Spent many nights in hotel/motel in Breezewood (Exit 161) over the years. The last time I drove the PA Turnpike, about six years ago, the traffic was horrific … practically bumper to bumper at 70 mph. Heavy rain as in a thunderstorm cause fatal accidents with distressing frequency on the turnpike.

[kosciusko51]

There are two seasons in Pennsylvania: winter and road repair.

[upchuck]

Yes:

Total E-ZPass: $74.10

Total Non E-ZPass: $109.20

Shunpiking is the way to go. Cost is $0.00.

[Fresh Wind]

...the thoughts that come to mind are: antiquated, too many trucks and, more than anything, ever-rising tolls.

Don't forget the perpetual construction zones.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Some of the potholes are at least 70.

[raccoonradio]

Same in MA—when the bonds are paid off
the tollbooths will come down.

The road is in great shape!
No wait, it isn’t. We’re keeping the
tolls up.
Exits between NY border and Springfield
now free!
No, wait...tolls restored.

But finally the tollbooths came down!
And were replaced by toll gantries
scanning transponders for EZ Pass, or
taking pic of license plate and
billing by mail.Tolls still.