SOMERSET COUNTY, PA — About 150 people from 80 vehicles were evacuated after a vehicle fire occurred in the Allegheny Tunnel on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
The fire began shortly after 8 p.m. and resulted in the closure of the turnpike between the Breezewood and New Stanton exits until around 3:30 a.m. on Friday.
"Expect major delays, a turnpike social media post stated at the time of the incident. "If you are stopped inside the tunnel, make your way to the nearest exit."
As of Friday morning, the westbound tunnel remained closed, with all traffic routed through one lane in the eastbound tunnel.
The tunnel is located about 90 miles east of Pittsburgh.
The move comes as the turnpike commission is planning what it terms the Allegheny Mountain Realignment Project.
Built in the 1940s, the Allegheny Tunnel now handles double the intended volume, causing delays, slowdowns at tunnel and increased crash rates.
With no shoulders inside the structures, disabled vehicles or crashes leads to standstill or slow-moving traffic – which is only exacerbated during major travel periods where the turnpike can see millions of customers over a short window.
The crash rate at this location is three times higher than the turnpike's statewide average, commission officials stated.
Preliminary engineering is underway, with data collection and alignment refinement expected through 2028.
Construction is currently anticipated to begin around 2032.
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