Overnight Closure at Allegheny Tunnel Due to Vehicle Fire
Overnight Closure at Allegheny Tunnel Due to Vehicle Fire
Customers should continue to expect delays throughout the day as clean up continues
Middletown, Pa. — Shortly after 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 4, 2026, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) advised motorists of a closure in both directions from Breezewood (Exit 161) to New Stanton (Exit 75) due to a vehicle fire inside the Allegheny Tunnel.
Approximately 150 people from nearly 80 vehicles were evacuated from the tunnel and transported by bus to one of our maintenance sheds. During this time, the PA Turnpike was also actively working to clear the backlog of vehicles on the roadway. Evacuated customers returned to their vehicles around 2:45 a.m. on Friday, June 5, 2026, and vehicles cleared the tunnel shortly after 3 a.m. The roadway re-opened at approximately 3:20 a.m., with the eastbound tunnel opening to bi-directional traffic.
Customers should continue to seek alternative routes and expect prolonged delays in this area as the westbound tunnel remains closed for inspection and bi-directional traffic continues in the eastbound tunnel. Motorists should be prepared to slow down, obey all traffic signs and patterns, and exercise caution.
While the structural integrity was not compromised by the incident, clean-up efforts are ongoing including repair of lighting fixtures and removal of damaged tiles and debris within 300 feet of the tunnel. Once these repairs are complete and crews ensure safe travel through the area, the westbound tunnel will be re-opened.
On behalf of the PA Turnpike Commission, we want to thank our customers for their patience, cooperation and flexibility during the incident as crews worked safely to reopen the roadway. We also extend our deepest gratitude to all those who supported this event and worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of motorists and personnel, including the Pennsylvania State Police, local fire and EMS agencies, emergency management partners, and all supporting agencies.
Lastly, a special recognition goes to our dedicated PA Turnpike maintenance, operations, traffic management, and engineering teams, who supported customers and emergency operations and worked to restore normal operations.
During the incident, the following 155-mile detour was in place:
Westbound Traffic
- US 30 West
- I-99 North
- US 22 West
- PA Turnpike 66 South
- Re-enter at New Stanton Interchange #75
Eastbound Traffic
- US 119 South
- US 40 East
- I-68 East (Cumberland, Maryland)
- I-70 West
- Re-enter the PA Turnpike at the Breezewood Interchange #162
We are committed to providing a safe, reliable, and customer-valued toll road system and are proud of the collaborative effort demonstrated throughout the incident.
A national transportation leader, the Pennsylvania Turnpike (PA Turnpike) is the second largest tolling facility in the United States with the most miles. The PA Turnpike proudly supports safety and convenience for its more than 550,000 daily customers through 24-7 roadside assistance, round-the-clock food and fuel at 17 service plazas and a dedicated maintenance force and State Police Troop. The PA Turnpike’s approximately 1,400-person local workforce is unified in its mission; to operate a safe, reliable, customer-valued toll road system that supports national mobility and commerce. For more information about the PA Turnpike’s mission, vision and values, please visit Home | PA Turnpike.
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Media Contacts:
Marissa Orbanek, Press Secretary: 267-408-5151, morbanek@paturnpike.com