description Allegheny Tunnel Overview
The Allegheny Tunnel is a highway tunnel on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, passing through Allegheny Mountain in the Alleghenies. It opened in 1940 as part of the original Pennsylvania Turnpike, the first long-distance toll superhighway in the United States. It remains a key crossing on Interstate 76.
help Allegheny Tunnel FAQ
Where is the Allegheny Tunnel?
The Allegheny Mountain Tunnel carries the Pennsylvania Turnpike, I-70 and I-76, through Allegheny Mountain in Somerset County. It is about 13 miles east of the Somerset Interchange. [Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission](https://files.paturnpike.com/production/docs/ptcconstructionsiteslibraries/allegheny-tunnel/environmental-document/appendix-h.pdf?sfvrsn=66853023_0)
When did the Allegheny Tunnel open?
The original tunnel was built between 1938 and 1940 and opened with the original Pennsylvania Turnpike on 1 October 1940. That road was promoted as America's First Superhighway. [Pennsylvania Turnpike](https://www.paturnpike.com/about-us/turnpike-history)
How long is the Allegheny Tunnel?
The Allegheny Mountain Tunnel is listed at about 6,070 feet long. It was one of the seven major tunnels included in the original 160-mile Carlisle-to-Irwin section of the turnpike. [Pennsylvania Turnpike facts](https://files.paturnpike.com/production/docs/default-source/resources/ptc-fast-facts---august-2024---final.pdf?sfvrsn=653a2663_1)
Why did the Pennsylvania Turnpike need tunnel upgrades?
The original tunnels narrowed the four-lane highway to one lane in each direction, creating congestion as traffic grew. The turnpike later expanded some tunnels with parallel bores and bypassed others to improve capacity and safety. [FHWA](https://highways.dot.gov/highway-history/general-highway-history/back-time/abandoned-pennsylvania-turnpike)
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