MWA is joining a citizen-led group to push back on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission’s plans to demolish the Allegheny Mountain Tunnel and cut a new roadway through the top of the mountain.
The Allegheny Mountain Tunnel at a Crossroads
The Allegheny Mountain Tunnel, nestled deep within the Allegheny Mountains, has been a cherished landmark on the Pennsylvania Turnpike for generations. Spanning 1.15 miles through Allegheny and Stonycreek Townships, it remains the longest tunnel still in use in Pennsylvania, evoking nostalgia for countless travelers. But the tunnel now faces potential demolition, as rising traffic demands and modern transportation needs threaten its future.
Rather than upgrading the tunnel to handle increased traffic, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is considering the “Gray Cut” alternative. This plan involves carving a massive trench through the mountainā€”about 250 feet deep and nearly 4 miles long. The Commission claims this would improve safety, enhance traffic flow, and allow hazardous materials, which are currently banned from tunnels in Pennsylvania, to pass through. Right now, vehicles carrying such materials must exit the turnpike and take alternate routes. The aging tunnel also requires costly maintenance, further fueling the push for its replacement.
The Threats
The Environmental assessment shows that the Gray Cut would destroy 6,117 feet of streams, relocate 1,564 feet, and culvert another 802 feetā€”impacting a total of 8,483 feet of stream channels. It would also wipe out 211.81 acres of forested habitat and encroach on critical wetlands. While all construction projects have some environmental impact, this one carries particularly severe risks.
A major concern is the potential contamination or depletion of water supplies for the Berlin Borough municipal water authority. The massive earthmoving required could trigger sediment-laden runoff, degrading water quality. Additionally, runoff from the new roads might carry pollutants such as oil, heavy metals, and other toxins into nearby water bodies. Making matters worse, the area’s coal-rich geology presents another danger: if disturbed, coal seams could release acidic water, poisoning streams and killing aquatic life. This risk is especially alarming because the tunnel sits at a triple watershed divide, meaning any contamination could spread into the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River (which feeds into the Susquehanna), the Indian Lake watershed, and the Stonycreek River watershed.
Moving Forward
Locals advocate for an alternative that addresses safety and traffic concerns without displacing an estimated 10 million cubic yards of soil and sediment. However, the “Alternatives Analysis” phase has already been completed, and preliminary design work began in January 2023 under Bowman Consulting, a national firm. This phase, expected to last around four years, is when public input is most critical.
A community-led group, Citizens to Save the Allegheny Mountain (CTSAM), is actively pushing back against the Gray Cut and fighting to make sure the communityā€™s concerns are heard. Led by Randy Musser, Vice President of Musser Engineering and a longtime member of the Mountain Field and Stream Club, CTSAM is dedicated to protecting the land they call home.
Destroying the mountain would erase not only its natural beauty but also the heritage tied to the Allegheny Mountain Tunnelā€”a landmark admired by generations of travelers passing through Somerset County. The Allegheny Mountains contain some of the highest elevations in Pennsylvania, second only to nearby Mount Davis, and their loss would reverberate well beyond the local community.
Join the Fight!
MWA and CTSAM urge you to stand with us and tell the Turnpike Commission not to endanger our water and way of life. Hereā€™s how to make your voice heard:
- Sign this petition to help save the Allegheny Mountain, and receive updates on the project: bit.ly/SaveAlleghenyMountainPetition
- Attend the Project Briefing with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission:
Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 6pm, Somerset Church of the Brethren, 606 Berlin Plank Road, Somerset, PA 15501 (RSVP by email to alleghenymountain@paturnpike.com by September 19!)
Dive deeper on this website: https://savealleghenymountain.com/