PITTSBURGH, July 30 /PRNewswire/ -- PENNDOT officials today placed an open
call for volunteers for an expedition contest that will take them, guided by
tunnel experts, above the roadway far inside of the Fort Pitt Tunnel and deep
below Mount Washington.
"We are searching for brave volunteers to follow our tunnel experts into
the air passage above the legendary Fort Pitt Tunnel and report back to the
rest of the citizens about their experience of viewing southwestern
Pennsylvania's busiest roadway from a different perspective," stated PENNDOT
Information Officer, Dick Skrinjar. Skrinjar adds, "for forty years motorists
have wondered about the tunnels as they drive through them. Once and for all
we'll answer the questions about what goes on and what's really inside the
tunnels."
No one will be allowed to slow down the group as the tour progresses
through the 7.5-foot high air way running almost a mile inside Mt. Washington,
with that in mind, it is recommended that claustrophobics not enter the
contest.
On August 25, the expedition will leave PENNDOT's Allegheny County
Headquarters in Aspinwall where a Port Authority bus will take them on a visit
to the top locations featured this season on PENNDOT's ROAD TOUR 2001.
District Engineer Ray Hack will conduct the tour describing the work record
crowds have thrilled to this summer. Over 1.2 million motorists have traveled
through millions of dollars of work on local roadways conducted by some of the
top contractors in western Pennsylvania. Tour winners will see the areas
needing roadway resurfacing and internal electrical and ventilation system
improvements.
Before the volunteers begin their mission inside the mountain, the road
tour will make stops along Route 28, Boulevard of the Allies, and the on-ramps
to and from the Fort Pitt Bridge.
No special life support gear will be issued only the basic cranial
protective device and reflective thoracic vest will be used to simulate the
actual conditions PENNDOT tunnel workers must go through on a daily basis.
Volunteers will be selected from contest entries to epenndot.com and by
postcards submitted to PENNDOT TUNNEL TOUR, Suite 2300, Three Gateway Center,
Pittsburgh, Pa, 15222.
In 2002, the outbound lanes of the Fort Pitt Bridge and Tunnels will close
for rehabilitation and reconstruction. In 2003, the inbound lanes will close
for rehabilitation and reconstruction. Motorists can obtain more information
and updates about the Fort Pitt Bridge and Tunnel Rehabilitation Project and
other PENNDOT projects at http://www.epenndot.com or by calling 1-877-450-4279.
SOURCE PENNDOT
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.epenndot.com
CONTACT:
Dick Skrinjar of PENNDOT, +1-877-450-4279
PennDOT releases are available through Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/gh/cnoc/comp/682850.html
NOTE TO EDITORS: MEDIA ADVISORY -- Because of the work underway
at the tunnel it was impossible to conduct a "Press Conference"
on location, too many people and too many vehicles to accommodate
in limited parking and work spaces, However, Previews of the tour
are available on Tuesday, July 31 by appointment call Dick
Skrinjar @ 412-292-9357.
|
