Bedford Township in Bedford County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Original Turnpike Road Construction

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 15, 2018

1. Original Turnpike Road Construction Marker

Inscription. Modern road construction methods have evolved utilizing multiple sub grade & substrate layers of compacted earth, crushed stone, concrete, asphalt and can measure up to 36" in depth creating a stable smooth driving surface. Construction of the original Pennsylvania Turnpike utilized the most modern processes and construction methods available and accepted in the late 1930's. Land was cleared of trees, blasting was employed to remove rocks and obstructions. Following basic site clearing operations, the roadbed was stripped of topsoil, graded and the sub grade compacted. Finally, 8" of reinforced concrete was laid down using slip forms to create the finished roadway. The exhibit slabs were salvaged from an original section of abandoned turnpike adjacent to the current Breezewood Interchange.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles.

Location. 40° 1.803′ N, 78° 29.607′ W. Marker is near Bedford, Pennsylvania, in Bedford County. It is in Bedford Township. It is on Pennsylvania Turnpike (at milepost 146) south of Pennsylvania Highway 220.

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On the grounds of the South Midway Travel Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bedford PA 15522, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania and in the Laurel Highlands.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Pennsylvania Turnpike (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Pennsylvania Turnpike (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bedford County Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Bedford Village (approx. 0.6 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. ¾ mile away); 76th Station Hospital - 50th Reunion (approx. ¾ mile away); NE Boundary Original Survey of Bedford (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 15, 2018

2. Original Turnpike Road Construction Marker

marker also named Bedford Village (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bedford.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Lincoln Highway Meets the Superhighway (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

Original Turnpike Road Construction Material image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 12, 2021

3. Original Turnpike Road Construction Material

Showing pavement cross section

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 12, 2021

4. Original Turnpike Road Construction Material

Showing pavement cross section

Blue Star Memorial Highway sign nearby image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 15, 2018

5. Blue Star Memorial Highway sign nearby

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 719 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 16, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4. submitted on March 22, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 5. submitted on April 16, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.