Quemahoning Tunnel
 The top of the eastern portal | |
| County | Somerset |
|---|---|
| Opened | Never used for Turnpike |
Quemahoning Tunnel is a tunnel which lies just off the shoulder of the Pennsylvania Turnpike near Somerset. It was originally built for the South Penn Railroad, and has the distinction of being the only one of the South Penn's tunnels which was ever actually used by trains, though by the Pittsburgh, Westmoreland and Somerset line rather than the South Penn, which never actually ran a train.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission considered using it, but decided against doing so and the rock was cut next to it, the same fate which befell the nearby Negro Mountain Tunnel. Its east portal is still visible today; the top just barely visible from a car heading west on the Turnpike. Photographs taken circa 1980 suggest that the west portal is now completely buried.
The first recorded near-visit to the Tunnel by a Septempontian was by Shawn Knight, who got close enough to get a picture showing the top of the east portal, on 30 July 2004.
Visiting Quemahoning
Unlike the Lost Tunnels which were actually used by the Turnpike, approaching the entrance of Quemahoning Tunnel is extremely dangerous, for three reasons: one, because there is a hole in the ground just in front of the portal; two, there is a drop into the tunnel; and three, because you are very close to the modern Turnpike. If you visit the tunnel, please use extreme caution when so doing, do not go alone, and do not get too close. Furthermore, be aware that you will be trespassing on the right of way if you do so, and could be fined. Since the initial token visit, Imperial policy has been to discourage anyone from attempting to visit this tunnel.
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