1940-1968 Sideling Hill and Rays Hill Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike Tunnels

Sideling West Portal: (Satellite)

Sideling East Portal: (Satellite)

Rays West Portal: (Satellite)

Rays East Portal: (Satellite, judging by the tree shadows)

"The Sideling Hill Tunnel was the longest tunnel in Pennsylvania at 1.28 miles (6,782 feet (2,067 m))." [a-z-animals]

Rays Hill Tunnel was the shortest tunnel at 0.67 miles (3,532' (1,077m)). [pahighways]

To add 2-more lanes to the turnpike at these two "hills," a 13-mile alternate route was built that went over the hills. The new road includes truck lanes because of the steep grades that were introduced. The other tunnel on the turnpike that was bypassed was the Laurel Hill Tunnel. They added a second bore to the remaining four tunnels on the turnpike.

 

Hershey Region AACA posted
Rays Hill Tunnel in 2020. Rays Hill Tunnel on the Pennsylvania Turnpike was bypassed in November of 1968, however the Turnpike Commission continued ownership of the abandoned stretch of roadway. It was used for testing pavement and pavement markings as well as for State Police training. In 2001 the Turnpike Commission turned it over to the Southern Alleghenies Conservancy and plans were made to turn the old highway into a bike path. Although the Official "Pike to Bike" path hasn't yet become a reality, and the path is officially closed, you can still visit the Rays Hill Tunnel and many people enjoy walking and Bicycling along the old highway.

PA Bucket List posted four photos with the comment: "The Sideling Hill Tunnel, now abandoned, was the longest of the original 7 PA Turnpike tunnels, at 1.3 miles in length. Details here: https://pabucketlist.com/exploring-the-abandoned.../"

[This web page has a lot of photos. Near the end are views of the ventilation equipment.]

Steve Shillinger: It's a spooky ride through the tunnel but it was also a welcome cool down since we were biking on a very warm day. Ray's Hill Tunnel is much shorter. You can clearly see one end to the other in the Ray's Hill Tunnel unlike the Sideling Hill Tunnel. [Sideling Hill Tunnel has a slight curve as well as being longer. It is probably the curve that blocks the light.]

Scott Hammond: Better of the 2 tunnels on Pike 2 Bike. Less graffiti than Ray's Hill and pavement in a little better condition.

Tyler Harrison: 100x better than Rays Hill section.

Triskaideka Leh: Used to have to hold our breath for almost 80 seconds......very tough for me...but did it often.

Karen Somers Kusey: Triskaideka Lehthey [They] were dark with diesel smoke and fumes. I miss those missing tunnels.

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[The room on top with the vents housed the ventilation fans.]

The 8.5-mile abandoned stretch of the turnpike "is relatively flat and easy to traverse." "Years after the Turnpike abandoned this section of highway, PennDOT used this road for training employees on paving techniques, line painting, rumble strip installation, and for testing new road reflectors." Now it is not an official trail, but it is not closed either. It is a use-at-your-own risk trail. (The Big Savage Tunnel has been upgraded to an official trail.) [pabucketlist]

These topo maps show how the two tunnels punched through the two hills to maintain a gentle grade. The new route crosses a lot of densely packed topo lines going up the west side of Rays Hill. The right-of-way, and these tunnels, were originally built by a railroad company. Trains are much more intolerant of steep grades.

1981 Johnstown and Cumberland Quads @ 100,000