Let us say that if the city of Pittsburgh was a hot establishment that you wanted to visit. And we also say that the Parkway East is the red carpeted line that is to guide you to this destination. Then by those correlations we can say that the Squirrel Hill Tunnel is that bouncer that stands between you and your destination. The tunnel does not care that you need to get in, that you know somebody on the other side is waiting for you, or that you work here. The tunnel just doesn't care. The tunnel has no affect. The tunnel will not show you empathy or sympathy. The tunnel is a monster. A tunnel monster.
No matter the time of the day there always seems to be a delay, and it is not just the inbound side of the tunnel. Outbound is just as bad. I am not sure how many times they can clean the walls, but it seems more frequent as of late. Every year there seems to be construction that we are told will be completed ahead of schedule, but somehow drags on.
Everything that is possible to happen, happens at or in this tunnel. Flat tire in the tunnel, why not make it two. Rear end accident, make sure there are five cars. Rubbernecking, make sure you come to a complete stop first before you continue. Oi!
A few notes: the tunnel is technically on a hill, if you are coming in to the city (westbound/inbound) you are climbing that hill, slower traffic to the right please. If you are going to exit at Squirrel Hill, how about you make sure to be in that lane prior to exiting the tunnel. Those of us that value our lives appreciate the fact that you won't be cutting across two lanes of traffic to make the exit. read more