SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. — Dozens of people were evacuated after a vehicle fire inside a tunnel along the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Around 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission announced that the roadway was closed in both directions between the Breezewood and New Stanton exits.
The Turnpike said around 150 people from nearly 80 vehicles were evacuated from the tunnel and taken by bus to one of their maintenance sheds. Everyone returned to their vehicles around 2:45 a.m Friday, and vehicles cleared the tunnel shortly after 3 a.m.
The eastbound side of the tunnel reopened around 3:20 a.m. for traffic in both directions. The westbound side reopened around 2:40 p.m.
“On behalf of the PA Turnpike Commission, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to all of 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,” the Turnpike Commission said in a release,“ Special recognition goes to our dedicated PA Turnpike maintenance, operations, traffic management, engineering teams, who supported customers and emergency operations, and worked to restore normal operations. Lastly, a big thank you to our customers for their patience, cooperation and flexibility during the incident as crews worked to safely reopen the roadway.
The Turnpike asked drivers to be prepared to slow down, obey all traffic signs and use caution.
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