RAY'S HILL TUNNEL
Picture Page
This photo is used courtesy of Jon Hoover's website. This is one of the
best examples of what Ray's Hill Tunnel actually looks like -- definitely
nothing glamorous to look at, but cool to visit nonetheless. 
As with all
of the original turnpike tunnels, Ray's Hill is lined in concrete and had
recessed lighting fixtures. Only during the expansion of the original
tunnels to two parallel tubes did the tunnels that remained open get refitted
with white ceramic tiles and fluorescent lighting fixtures.
If you look closely down the center
of the tunnel, you will see a point of light. This is the opposite tunnel
portal. Ray's Hill Tunnel is short enough that you can see light
from one end to the other.
Click on the above picture to visit Jon's site.
The original Ray's Hill Tunnel construction began in
1885 as part of the South Penn Railroad.
The western portal is seen
here. The S.P.R.R. was never realized. When the S.P.R.R. folded,
Ray's Hill Tunnel was left unfinished. The Pennsylvania Turnpike used the
beginnings of the South Penn Railroad's tunnel.
Ray's Hill Tunnel under construction, 1939.
Source unknown.
Photograph taken in 1950 of the western portal of Ray's Hill Tunnel.
At the time, the traffic volume on the turnpike allowed for tourists to stop, park their cars in the median, and take pictures. Books on the subject note that travelers used to stop in the median and picnic.
This photograph appears courtesy of Mitch Dakelman. It was
taken 
in 1970, when the tunnel was still maintained, guarded, and lit inside.
The P.T.C. continued some tunnel maintenance until sometime in 1973.
By Mitch's 1973 visit, the tunnel was no longer lighted.
Taken in 1940, just prior to the Pennsylvania Turnpike's opening.
This is
the eastern portal of Ray's Hill. Note the absence of a ventilation fan
room at this portal.
Source: Turnpike Archives, found
on the Internet, Library of Congress.
An excellent photograph, courtesy of Mitch Dakelman, probably
the best ever taken of Ray's Hill, western portal, summer
of 1980.
The Library of Congress records this photograph from 1940, around the time of the
opening of the turnpike. I have recently noticed that the Southern
Alleghenies Conservancy also posts this photo on their website. Note the
"STOP" signal on the right side of the tunnel entrance.
According to sources, this photograph was staged, with the guard stopping the
driver.
Source unknown.
I do not know who "Charlie" is and what website I downloaded this
photo from.
I fooled my mother into believing that the "Rays Hill" lettering was
authentic.
Source unknown.
An aerial view of Ray's Hill Tunnel, as well as the current alignment of the
Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Also visible is the current alignment of U.S. Route 30, located on the south and
southeast side of the current turnpike.
This page was created on:
July 1, 2005.
Last updated on:
August 09, 2014.
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