description Lehigh Tunnel Overview
The Lehigh Tunnel consists of two highway bores carrying the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, now Interstate 476, through Blue Mountain in Carbon County. The original two-lane tunnel opened in 1957, and a parallel bore opened in 1991, allowing traffic to use two lanes in each direction. It provides a direct Turnpike route between the Lehigh Valley and northeastern Pennsylvania through the Appalachian ridge.
help Lehigh Tunnel FAQ
Where is the Lehigh Tunnel, and which highway uses it?
The Lehigh Tunnel carries the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, now Interstate 476, through Blue Mountain in Carbon County, Pennsylvania. The original bore opened on April 1, 1957, and the parallel bore opened in 1991. [Pennsylvania Turnpike history](https://www.paturnpike.com/about-us/turnpike-history)
Why does the Lehigh Tunnel have two bores?
The first tunnel originally carried traffic in both directions. A second bore was completed in 1991 so the tunnel could provide two lanes for each direction instead of forcing opposing traffic through one tube.
Why do the two Lehigh Tunnel bores look different inside?
The older bore has a more rectangular profile because it was built using an older dig-and-blast approach. The newer bore is more oval and was built with the New Austrian tunnelling method.
Is the Lehigh Tunnel the same as the Blue Mountain Tunnel on the main Pennsylvania Turnpike?
No. The Lehigh Tunnel is on the Northeast Extension under Blue Mountain near the Lehigh Valley, while the Blue Mountain Tunnel name is associated with a different Pennsylvania Turnpike location.
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