Delmarva Highways :: Harrisburg / Lancaster Area Roadgeek Meet '04

On this venture across state lines, I was lucky enough to attend the second Harrisburg Area Highway Enthusiasts meet, hosted by Jeff Kitsko. A great time was had by all... as we enjoyed a great meal at Shenanigans near Lancaster... then ventured out to find some of the area's highway quirks... including a partially constructed expressway portion of PA 23 outside of Lancaster, and near the town of Leola. Then... it was off to see some construction of a new US 222/US 422 expressway around Reading.

After viewing the construction... it was onto PA 61 toward Centralia... viewing the mountain scenery along the way.

We wrapped up our tour after walking the abandoned section of PA 54/61 outside of Centralia, and a short walking tour of Centralia itself.

Special thanks go out to Jeff Kitsko for once again putting together a fantastic meet!

Harrisburg Meet Attendees:
Top Row (L to R): Corey Dukes, Lou Corsaro, Seth Dunn, Chris Jordan, Randy Hersh, Jeff Kitsko, Alex Nitzman, Aaron Sica
Bottom Row (L to R): John Krakoff, Carter Buchanon

An expressway meant to connect Lancaster with Norristown, the official name of this abandoned highway project was, ironically, the "Lancaster - Norristown Expressway".

Construction began on this section of highway in the early '70s. Overpasses were constructed, and the highway was graded. However, construction was halted due to budget issues and public opposition.

In 1977, the graded highway was leased to farmers to use as pastures for grazing.

	At US 30, and interchange for what was to become the PA 23 expressway was constructed. A PennDOT standard stub end was built where PA 23 would have continued east.
	A ground level view of the barricaded stub end.
	A view of the grading for the carriageways. Taken from the PA 772.
	Partially constructed ramps, meant to connect PA 772 with the new expressway.
	Grading for a connecting ramp from PA 772. Notice the bridge to the left... meant for PA 23... complete with guardrail.
	Views of the overpass meant to carry a 4-lane PA 772 over the new PA 23 expressway. PA 772 widens to 4-lanes over what was to be PA 23.
	Another view of the graded expressway... looking back toward Lancaster.
	PennDOT uses the area beneath the PA 772 overpass as a storage area for winter equipment, as well as storage for other highway equipment. These green guide signs and overhead gantry were removed from US 30 during recent reconstruction, and left here to retire.
	Another set of ramps were constructed to connect PA 772 with PA 23.
	Members of the tour group pause to chat on the PA 772 overpass over the abandoned expressway project.

For more information on PA 23/"Goat Path Expressway":

PA 23/"Goat Path" Expressway @ Roadfan.com
PA 23 @ Pennsylvania Highways

Abandoned PA 54 / PA 61
Centralia, PA

The story of Centralia is a sad one.

A fire started in an underground coal mine in May, 1962, which continues to burn today. More details about the fire, as well as the town itself, can be found here.

In 1991, sections of what was PA 54 and PA 61 had to be bypassed, due to heat and smoke building up underneath the highway, causing it to split open, and opening huge fissures in the pavement. These large cracks still bellow smoke to this day.

	A look at the abandoned travel lanes, from Centralia.
	Views of the huge cracks that have split open PA 54/61. The heat and smoke that come out of these cracks are toxic. If you have respiratory problems, travel to Centralia is not advised.
	The pavement has buckled over time, due to the intense heat from the mine fire beneath it. Note that PennDOT tried to pave over the cracks as they opened before determining the highway beyond repair and abandoning the route.
	A view of the other barricaded end of the abandoned stretch of PA 54/61.
	Looking back toward Centralia.
	More views of the buckled and warped pavement... looking back toward Centralia.
	More views of the biggest of the fissures in the roadway caused by the mine fire. Note the almost geological view of the various pavements PennDOT used over the years to keep the highway open.
	Looking toward Centralia.
	Approaching Centralia... the highway reduced from 4-lanes to 2.
	An abandoned utility pole once lining the route.
	An old sign post... with the signs removed.
	The end of the abandoned section... near Centralia. Note the earth barrier blocking traffic from going over the unsafe abandoned highway.
	Now who put THAT here??
	A PennDOT reference marker. Note that what is now PA 61 bypassing the abandoned route is still referenced as "SR 2002". Also, note the white out where "SR 61" is. It covers a "54"... since this used to be an alignment for PA 54.
	Not highway related... but noteworthy none the less. These are steps that lead from the sidewalk to where a house used to be... now an empty lot.
	A section of white picket fence... protecting what is now an empty lot.
	Views of some of the smaller vents from the mine fire. These are located in the empty lots just behind the pictures shown above.
	A sign posted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania advising the situation in Centralia.
	Members of the tour group walking amongst the smoky hills of Centralia.
	Some of the larger vents. These are located where houses used to stand.
	A view of the empty streets of Centralia. Note the abandoned swing sets in the center of the picture.
	The handful of remaining buildings in Centralia. The town, which once has a population of 1,100 people, now has about 40 people living in it.

ATTENTION:
Due to the continuing fire, possible mine subsidence, and gas emissions, people are advised against travel to Centralia... especially if you have respiratory problems. If you do venture there remember that it is still a town, not a tourist destination. Please respect people's property.

For more information on PA 54/61 and Centralia:

Centralia Mine Fire @ Pennsylvania Highways
PA 61 @ Pennsylvania Highways
Abandoned PA 54/61 - Centralia @ Gribblenation

All Photos Taken September 18, 2004 by Corey Dukes