I drive on these roads regularly and I can tell you that little maintenance has been done on these roads since their opening. They have stood the test of time but it is definitely time for an upgrade, especially after the recent 95 bridge collapse. Some of the views are amazing once you get past Philly. Just prepare yourself for lots of long tunnels!
The I-95 overpass colapse was not due to lack of maintenance though. It was last replaced about 9 years ago and failed due to the tanker fire causing the structural integrity of the overpass to fail.
I LOVE these old films. Love seeing cars & trucks from the 50's & 60's on the roads. Too bad roads dont look that nice today. Great state to live in. Have so for all my life. ❤🇺🇸
Can never remember the Schuykill Expressway with virtually no traffic. It’s unheard of these days. The State Trooper “Tijuana Taxi” was hilarious. Much more sublime are their cruisers today.
Ive driven the turnpike about 20 times and my grandfather did as early as 1955. while it is stressfull dealing with that much traffic, the mountainous terrain of central PA provides some of the most spectacular scenery on the whole east coast and i love driving it every time.
The film doesn’t mention the Turnpike between the Laurel Highlands and the Ohio border. The first time I drove it was about the time this film was made. The steering wheel got a major workout with all the curves. There were five, if I recall, two-lane tunnels where you faced oncoming traffic, and most of the way there was no median, just cables separating the directions of travel. Diving at night, there was glare from headlights on the other side on curves. What a difference between then and now. Most of those tunnels are no longer on the path of the road, and there is center median in some areas. Engineers have installed light baffles in the center divider of curvy areas. It is a much more pleasant drive now than it was 56 years ago. If only the traffic were as light as this film suggests!
They improved that part of the turnpike between Beaver Valley to Cranberry exit (headed westbound) (added more lanes). And the bridge before Harmarville got redone/ more lanes. It DOES and IS nice.
@@riceburner4747 Thanks for the reply. It’s been a few years since I’ve been through PA on I-76. It is good to hear the road and bridge got a much deserved upgrade. It has always been a beautiful drive, especially if you’re a passenger with time to enjoy the scenery.
living only 4 miles from interstate 81 in Schuylkill county ...its odd to see the interstates so empty and open back when this was filmed....not like today
They got some money from the infrastructure bill to upgrade much of it, unfortunately construction is a years long endeavor for a project of that size.
Recently traveled 80, from the West to the East, down the Northeast Extension and a quick visit to New Jersey. Then from the East to West all the way across the Pennsylvania Turnpike. It actually wasn't too bad of a drive overall. Plenty of construction, but that's to be expected. This was May of 2023🖖✌️
Absolutely. I say that America stopped being a free country the day the NPS put velvet ropes around the Liberty Bell. By the way, the bell is actually owned by the City of Philadelphia!
At 4:00, John Facenda says that the PA interstate highways will carry as many as 100,000 vehicles a day. Just after the 2023 I-95 bridge collapse in Philly after a tank truck burned under it, PennDOT stated that it carried 160,000 vehicles a day!
I imagine showing the people who made this film what PA's roads look like today and them being like "Uhh...Have you guys fixed these roads since they were built? Also, why is the speed limit still 45? Have cars not gotten faster in the last 60 years?"
We use to take Sunday drives, we would all pile in the car and say (where are we going Dad) his reply would be, We don't know yet, we will figure it out along the way, 30 minutes later, Are we almost there Dad, how much further? Dad just enjoyed driving the Car. With a Big V-8 under the hood and a full tank of gas, we drove all over the place. Good Times!
Now we are leaders in warehousing. Jobs are migrating from towns and cities to the interstate highways where warehouses are located. PA, The State of Logistics.
I drive on these roads regularly and I can tell you that little maintenance has been done on these roads since their opening. They have stood the test of time but it is definitely time for an upgrade, especially after the recent 95 bridge collapse. Some of the views are amazing once you get past Philly. Just prepare yourself for lots of long tunnels!
Yes agreed.
The I-95 overpass colapse was not due to lack of maintenance though. It was last replaced about 9 years ago and failed due to the tanker fire causing the structural integrity of the overpass to fail.
@@xtremegamer2218 Saw a time-lapse of a similar accident and you could see those giant girders slowly melt and collapse entirely.
I LOVE these old films. Love seeing cars & trucks from the 50's & 60's on the roads. Too bad roads dont look that nice today. Great state to live in. Have so for all my life. ❤🇺🇸
Love the state, too. Been visiting Lancaster County for the last 30 plus years.
my paternal grandparents were from Carbon County, My dad always wanted to go to Mauch Chunk (now Jim Thorpe) and Lansford. Never got the chance.
@@lisamiller8174 - My oldest friend (I've known her since 1969) lives in Lansford. It's become a shithole. Jim Thorpe is absolutely beautiful!
I agree with you 💯 % the turnpike is never the same.
What a treat to watch for so many reasons!!
I love films like this, especially the PA ones :) Really makes me miss PA.
You know you're driving through Pennsylvania because of the numbing click-clack from the interstate's expansion joints through those mountains.
Can never remember the Schuykill Expressway with virtually no traffic. It’s unheard of these days. The State Trooper “Tijuana Taxi” was hilarious. Much more sublime are their cruisers today.
Ive driven the turnpike about 20 times and my grandfather did as early as 1955. while it is stressfull dealing with that much traffic, the mountainous terrain of central PA provides some of the most spectacular scenery on the whole east coast and i love driving it every time.
which section 76 or 476?
@@EpicThe112 76. i pretty much know the entire route by heart at this point. I get off at new stanton.
@@harrisonc985 I always liked the overpasses. co-authored two Pa Turnpike books too and have a lot of pictures
The film doesn’t mention the Turnpike between the Laurel Highlands and the Ohio border. The first time I drove it was about the time this film was made. The steering wheel got a major workout with all the curves. There were five, if I recall, two-lane tunnels where you faced oncoming traffic, and most of the way there was no median, just cables separating the directions of travel. Diving at night, there was glare from headlights on the other side on curves.
What a difference between then and now. Most of those tunnels are no longer on the path of the road, and there is center median in some areas. Engineers have installed light baffles in the center divider of curvy areas. It is a much more pleasant drive now than it was 56 years ago. If only the traffic were as light as this film suggests!
They improved that part of the turnpike between Beaver Valley to Cranberry exit (headed westbound) (added more lanes). And the bridge before Harmarville got redone/ more lanes. It DOES and IS nice.
@@riceburner4747 Thanks for the reply. It’s been a few years since I’ve been through PA on I-76. It is good to hear the road and bridge got a much deserved upgrade. It has always been a beautiful drive, especially if you’re a passenger with time to enjoy the scenery.
Music by Joe Negri from Mister Rogers! It definitely has that feel.
Tasty playing. The opening theme is "Round and Round" with Perry Como vocals. The tune was used for a beer commercial, which is how I remember it.
living only 4 miles from interstate 81 in Schuylkill county ...its odd to see the interstates so empty and open back when this was filmed....not like today
It's a shame what's happened to those beautiful smooth roads.
IKR?
That damn Obummer ruined EVERYTHING!
Theyve done some great rennovations on 76
They got some money from the infrastructure bill to upgrade much of it, unfortunately construction is a years long endeavor for a project of that size.
Time. And wear….
You have to love that "Voice of God" narration. No one does that anymore, for good reason.
Recently traveled 80, from the West to the East, down the Northeast Extension and a quick visit to New Jersey.
Then from the East to West all the way across the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
It actually wasn't too bad of a drive overall. Plenty of construction, but that's to be expected. This was May of 2023🖖✌️
Nothing has change so much , except of course the vehicles
Allowing vegetation along the road sides going towards town also shade near the rivers will be easy and fun
I drove the northern Pennsylvania highways... in super snow and icy to hot and humid... several times in my driving years...
7:30 haha back then you could touch and play around with The Liberty Bell?
Absolutely. I say that America stopped being a free country the day the NPS put velvet ropes around the Liberty Bell. By the way, the bell is actually owned by the City of Philadelphia!
7:42 Wow, motorists actually doing a proper every-other-car alternating zipper merge. Are they sure this was filmed in PA?!
At 4:00, John Facenda says that the PA interstate highways will carry as many as 100,000 vehicles a day. Just after the 2023 I-95 bridge collapse in Philly after a tank truck burned under it, PennDOT stated that it carried 160,000 vehicles a day!
That's WHY we need infrastructure. Long overdue. Instead of people fighting, we should be investing in our country.
My Grandfather was a Supervisor on a section of interstate 80.
I wish we could get back to "class", we need it.
Oh how light the traffic is compared to today
I imagine showing the people who made this film what PA's roads look like today and them being like "Uhh...Have you guys fixed these roads since they were built? Also, why is the speed limit still 45? Have cars not gotten faster in the last 60 years?"
We use to take Sunday drives, we would all pile in the car and say (where are we going Dad) his reply would be, We don't know yet, we will figure it out along the way, 30 minutes later, Are we almost there Dad, how much further? Dad just enjoyed driving the Car. With a Big V-8 under the hood and a full tank of gas, we drove all over the place. Good Times!
Back when we were the leaders in manufacturing. We were sold out.
Now we are leaders in warehousing. Jobs are migrating from towns and cities to the interstate highways where warehouses are located. PA, The State of Logistics.
Anyone remember exit #27 on I-81 prior to the renumbering?
Winona Lakes you got a real winner 🏆📚FJB🗽🇺🇲⚙️👌
My neighborhood is in several of the shots. Lol.
Wonder how much PLANNING PETE is doing!
Yes, w/I 95, but our OTHER roads & bridges. 🤔🇺🇸
Looks a little different then when I drove around the state
I-80 made it much easier when going from north Jersey to Chicago.
That's NEW Jersey.
@@johnrudy9404 Yeah, that too.
Just in time for the bridge collapse.
Anybody know what town is displayed at 1:49 ?
Pittsburgh, 28 and 8 roads crossing.
@@Star0stinIg0r thanks!
Wow river tonnage exceeding peacetime Panama canal how else is Pittsburgh beating Panama
Pencil Tucky
Philly on the right, Pittsburgh on the left, and ALABAMA in the middle!
A great propaganda video. Thousands of small towns and businesses died after being bypassed by these highways.... Thx for the memories.
This state has been dying for decades