AASHTO: Interstate 50th Anniversary

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Image Gallery – Pennsylvania Turnpike

Some images of the construction and early days of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, a predecessor to the Interstate Highway System.

Approach to the original Tuscarora tunnel

Construction of toll booth at Harrisburg West Shore interchange

Fleet of vehicles located at the New Cumberland Maintenance Shed along the Turnpike

A night-time exposure captures a river of light, symbolizing the round-the-clock movement of traffic through Blue Mountain tunnel. This photo was featured on the cover of the PA Turnpike 1960 annual report.

Cars lined up at the Blue Mountain interchange opening weekend, 1940

Roadway construction along the 12-mile straight stretch west of Carlisle

Interior of Cove Valley Service Plaza

Cars waiting to get off the PA Turnpike at Irwin

Inside lunch room at original service plaza on PA Turnpike

National Guard maneuvers used the Turnpike on August 6, 1940. Local civilians watched the caravan move west in a training exercise to save the town of Bedford, which was theoretically under attack.

Stretch of Turnpike looking west near New Cumberland Maintenance

New Stanton service plaza

First paving contract

Cars lined up for the opening of the Pittsburgh interchange at 12:01 AM, August 7, 1951. C.C. Schleicher of Wilkinsburg, heading east, is the first motorist through the gate.

Original service plaza

Aerial view of Turnpike's Susquehanna River Bridge

Toll collector in uniform

Scenic stretch of the Turnpike

Turnpike under construction

Approach to the original Tuscarora tunnel

Winter maintenance in the early days was far less mechanized than it is today