Located in Fulton and Bedford counties, near Breezewood, the deserted stretch of Turnpike will be designed to accommodate a range of active visitors. The Conservancy's plan calls for repaving one lane for in- line skaters and skateboarders, creating trailheads, installing bathrooms and lighting the tunnels.
So far, no completion date for the project has been set. "When funding opens up, that's when we'll get it done," says Ryan Nemanic of the Conservancy. "If we could only get a federal earmark from Congress, we could finish it in one or two years."
The most expensive parts of the project revolve around the tunnels. Stabilizing the two tunnels on the route will cost $1.3 million. Putting LED lighting in them will take another $360,000.
The trail's link to the historic superhighway is likely to be one of its attractions. "This trail is so unique," Nemanic says. "There are no other trails that are made out of an abandoned turnpike."
Local officials hope that the trail will boost economic development and tourism in the area. Since being abandoned by turnpike authorities, the roadway and its tunnels have been used as a safety testing center, a state police shooting range and an army convoy training area.
