The Abandoned New Stanton Interchange Ramps

For nearly 40 years, the Pennsylvania Turnpike interchange with Interstate 70 and US 119 in New Stanton has been a rather free-flowing double trumpet, grade separated interchange between the two freeways.  But for the first 23 years of the turnpike, this interchange was vastly different.  It was the only non-trumpet interchange within the system (excluding termini points) and featured very tricky and gridlock causing left turns within the interchange.  (See image on right).  With the birth of the Interstate Highway System in the mid-1950s, new freeways were built and in many cases the turnpike kept the original interchange using local roads to connect to the new freeways.  Interchanges with what would become I-81, I-176, I-80, I-70 in Breezewood, and I-79 were left with the original design.

Meanwhile in the 1950's, the state began building a freeway that ran from New Stanton west towards Washington.  This freeway, signed PA 71, was to connect those in the industrial Mon Valley to the Turnpike.  Opened to the Turnpike by 1959, the amount of traffic using this interchange increased substantially.  It was in October of 1963 that the PTC began a construction project that would cost $1.6 million to completely replace the interchange.  A little over a year later on November 12, 1964, the new New Stanton interchange officially opened to traffic. (1)  This was the first turnpike interchange to be completely replaced, and it also was the first interchange that was reconfigured to provide direct Interstate-to-Interstate traffic.


 
(Left Image): The original eastbound New Stanton offramp (Photo taken by Bernie Newman)

(Right Image): A long view of the eastbound offramp.  It is amazing the condition of these old ramps after nearly 40 years.  (Photo taken by Bernie Newman)
(Left Image): The onramp onto the eastbound lanes of the Turnpike.  Recent construction of a new viaduct has created an elevation change from where the onramp would have met the highway.  (Photo taken by Bernie Newman)

(Right Image): The onramp to the Turnpike comes at you in this photo.  (Photo taken by Bernie Newman)
(Left Image): A wider shot showing both eastbound ramps.  The ramps are curving to go underneath the Turnpike.  (Photo taken by Bernie Newman)

(Right Image): A ground shot of the surprisingly in good condition pavement used for the ramps.  (Photo taken by Bernie Newman)
(Left Image): At US 119 the ramps are as well found.  Construction of the new interchange and the addition of a connection to PA Turnpike 66 has overtaken the ramps to US 119 and the former toll facilities.  (Photo taken by Bernie Newman)

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    • Sources & Links:

  • (1) Cupper, Dan. "The Pennsylvania Turnpike: A History.  55th Anniversary Edition."  Lebanon, PA: Applied Arts, 1995. 38-39.
  • Bernie Newman
  • PA Turnpike History @ PAHighways.com ---Jeff Kitsko (including scan of original interchange schematics)
  • Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Homepage


    • Page Created: September 28, 2003
    Last Updated: May 21, 2006

    (C) 2003-06 William Lawson