Comments
pburgh2517 t1_iycyxg1 wrote
I was under the impression those doors just go to the other tunnel. So if something happens in one tunnel you exit via the other tunnel. If something happens in both, well I guess it’s good luck.
sqqueen2 OP t1_iycyxv4 wrote
Yes…is that where they go? That don’t go up and out?
ChefGuru t1_iyczk8e wrote
If there's a fire or something in one side of the tunnel, you use those to get to the other side of the tunnel where there isn't fire and smoke.
Anotherburner42069 t1_iyd0c7e wrote
I believe there is a small central man tunnel in the center of the two as well
iron_vet t1_iyd0kn6 wrote
That would be terrible luck. Not like a bird shitting on you. That is honestly terrible luck as well. Lol
wagernacker t1_iyd0ti0 wrote
I saw a PBS thing about it with Rick Sebak. He was checking out the doors with a DOT guy in the Liberty or Ft Pitt Tunnel and the door just went directly to the other tunnel. I would assume the same for Squirrel Hill.
Yinzerman1992 t1_iyd15py wrote
Rick Sebak did an amazing documentary on the squirrel hil tunnel that answers your question and many more. (Link)
PeanutHakeem t1_iyd1wp5 wrote
There is definitely NOT a small central corridor. I saw a news article years ago that specifically stated that most people (I was one of them) think there is but there isn't. The doors just go to the other tunnel.
burritoace t1_iyd2ypx wrote
More modern tunnels typically have an intermediate egress tunnel between the two primary tubes, but I'm not sure that is the case here.
CL-MotoTech t1_iyd3i5y wrote
The emergency walk way is perpindicul to the vehicle tunnels. Basically it is a separate tunnel but for people cross to the other side. They don't exit elsewhere. I have seen it in person. The Liberty tunnels have a parallel emergency tunnel that runs the length of the tunnels.
Wildman_916 t1_iyd3ie2 wrote
So everybody stuck in a tunnel of fire and smoke runs through a small passageway to the other side of the tunnel where there’s still ongoing traffic? Great call from the tunnel guys lmao
AnonPlzzzzzz t1_iyd435f wrote
You just sit tight and sylvester stallone comes and rescues you like in that movie daylight
ChefGuru t1_iyd4bic wrote
Damn... if only traffic could be stopped if there was a fire in one side of the tunnel. It's too bad that there's no possible way for that to happen, and that everyone escaping a fire would be forced to run directly into speeding traffic.
mommagawn123 t1_iyd4th9 wrote
Best answer
westinghousesghost t1_iyd4zhi wrote
Why would you go up out of a tunnel? 1) the heat and smoke of a fire would follow you. 2) that's probably the slowest way to evacuate. 3) that's not at all useful for disabled people.
mandyyy-rose t1_iyd5fq5 wrote
Thanks for the link! Great background noise to work from home and watch
westinghousesghost t1_iyd5fzo wrote
For those who don't want to or can't watch the whole thing, jump to 24:25 to see the escape doors
sopmaeThrowaway t1_iyd5ngj wrote
That’s disheartening :/ I thought you could actually escape, but in the case of a real emergency it’s just a trick death trap. Typical.
ScratchMoore t1_iyd603n wrote
Right? I feel like maybe if someone invented a light to put at one end of the tunnel as a warning system to stop traffic. Maybe blue? Or purple? Not sure what colors could be used, just spitballing……
dunwoodyres1 t1_iyd6wa0 wrote
It goes to the other tunnel.
dunwoodyres1 t1_iyd6xzw wrote
Zenith2017 t1_iyd9br9 wrote
Platform 9 3/4? You think you're being funny?
alwaysboopthesnoot t1_iydcsvb wrote
A bird shitting on you is unlucky? My nona said it was lucky—especially on your wedding day!
But the two-tunnels thing…that WOULD be terribly unlucky. Catastrophic.
omgwouldyou t1_iyddz2t wrote
It is kinda funny to think the tunnel staff and emergency services would just let traffic continue on as normal through the second tunnel as they use it as an evacuation route.
Tunnel guy screaming over the noise at an evacuating motorist "so sorry sir, it's the Tuesday special at olive garden! We need to keep these people moving! Try to stick close to the walls!"
sqqueen2 OP t1_iydeg96 wrote
No but that’s a good additional benefit
omgwouldyou t1_iydegww wrote
Why would that be the case? They are two seperate tunnels. An emergency in one does not mean there will be an emergency in the other.
And even if that was the case and we are worried about the extreme emergencies that could hop tunnels. (I suppose, terroristic or foriegn attack) why would the hypothetical pedestrian tunnel be safe when the two main ones aren't?
Upbeat_Estimate1501 t1_iydfd3e wrote
Independence Day literally has had me preparing for this possibility since 1996.
ExpertExpert t1_iydlij3 wrote
oh wow. i really expected a 3rd tunnel for pedestrians. maybe something that linked the upstairs part?
Cpen5311 t1_iydm6w4 wrote
It's tunnels all the way down!
CARLEtheCamry t1_iydmuf7 wrote
'96 is when Daylight came out as well. I still can't drive the Chesapeak Bay Bridge Tunnel without an increase in anxiety due to that movie.
The_Wkwied t1_iydn85t wrote
Rick Seabak is a Pittsburgh treasure
Aphrodisiatic922 t1_iydn9c0 wrote
Narnia
sqqueen2 OP t1_iydnmba wrote
gggg500 t1_iydnw51 wrote
What if a bird pees on you?
vonHindenburg t1_iydoiby wrote
That’s not a bird…
vonHindenburg t1_iydovun wrote
And what is that windowed room above and between the Ft Pitt Tunnels on the west end? Break room? Conference room? Penthouse?
gggg500 t1_iydpfuy wrote
Goddamn it. Must be the alligator lizards in the air, again then.
Excelius t1_iydpppm wrote
I don't see the problem?
If there's a fire or hazmat situation or something in one tunnel, then you can just cross into the other tunnel which is likely safe.
Main problem is just getting any traffic in the other tunnel to stop so you don't get splatted while fleeing.
vonHindenburg t1_iydqnbk wrote
Well, like birds, terrestrial lizards don’t urinate. I guess, though, that I can’t speak for mythical ones in the air (in the aiiiirrrrr). I know what I’m listening to now.
gggg500 t1_iydru8n wrote
Oh damn! TIL! Anyway, yeah that song always makes me nostalgic for the 1970s. Even though I was born in 1993. Has to be the most 70’s songs out there. I picture myself driving a convertible along the Pacific Highway in California, the year is 1977.
JoeNoble1973 t1_iydt41b wrote
That lyric always bugged the hell outta me
GargantuanWitch t1_iydtarr wrote
Birds don't urinate.
juulhandluke t1_iydtzku wrote
Wait Omg thank you, can’t wait to watch tonight
mmphoto412 t1_iydu2cm wrote
Secret passage way. A trapdoor for this is hidden under a Pittsburgh potty in someone’s basement for an escape
The hatch can be opened by turning the basement pencil sharpener backwards 5 times
gggg500 t1_iyduyg9 wrote
Yeah I wonder did it mean something deeper like a hidden message? Or did they just put something random in the song? Still an amazing song nonetheless!!
gggg500 t1_iydvbsf wrote
Ah, I don’t know how to break this to you, but uh, birds aren’t real.
Anotherburner42069 t1_iydvcmf wrote
Neat, thanks for the info. I stand corrected
phasmos t1_iydvis3 wrote
Yep, straight thru to the other tunnel. I walked through the inbound tunnel in 1992 (from Forest Hills to Oakland, which sucked) and tried the door, hoping there was an access tunnel between the two. There isn't.
Also, the ledge you have to walk on is maybe 28" wide, so you have to do a lot of wall-hugging to avoid trucks and such; stepping through to the other tunnel puts you in the same dicey situation, especially when the cars hurtling Eastbound don't know or expect a person to pop out.
MCRNRearAdmiral t1_iydz2nk wrote
Just treated two (three, if you count an infant) native Yinzers to an over-and-back roundtrip on that beast last month- the CBBT never fails to blow people’s minds, even those of us who were scampering around in the sands underneath since as far back as we can remember.
GargantuanWitch t1_iydz7b9 wrote
Then I suppose we don't need to worry about bird urine, do we?
MothaFknPOOOON t1_iye0s1n wrote
A fire, crash etc in a tunnel should have the monitoring team turn the entrance lights red and stop traffic from entering... I would imagine both tunnel sides are stopped at least temporarily while risk assessment takes place
MothaFknPOOOON t1_iye0zlp wrote
Best location for semi public sex in the burgh, the onlyfans girls should get on it
sqqueen2 OP t1_iye171k wrote
That was most excellent! Thanks so much!
sqqueen2 OP t1_iye1a8l wrote
You're made of strong stuff!
[deleted] t1_iye3rb8 wrote
sqqueen2 OP t1_iye56zr wrote
I get that reference!
Agile-Hopeful4707 t1_iye5w55 wrote
As long as the problem is a fire or hazmat incident, the fire department will be blocking the lane in the other tunnel when they arrive. They will also be attacking the problem through those doors. Please call 911 immediately or use the emergency phones in the tunnel if this happens. Please describe the side involved (inbound/outbound, and station or distance marker) to ensure a response that will help you faster.
[deleted] t1_iye887h wrote
Replying so I can watch this later! Thank you!!
JerryHathaway t1_iye8xv7 wrote
Like the missile launch entrance in Wargames!
ravia t1_iye94o2 wrote
Committed to memory and deleted from my inbox.
mmphoto412 t1_iye9c52 wrote
Nobody suspects the pencil sharpener
BetterOff165 t1_iye9sf6 wrote
Winner. Now, have yourself a Cherokee Red Pop from the dahnstairs fridge but don't touch Pap's arns'.
rangoon03 t1_iyea3cv wrote
Its the ventilation system: https://www.brooklineconnection.com/history/Gallery/Tunnels.html#14
Free_Lawfulness2263 t1_iyedrij wrote
Secret underground military installations
[deleted] t1_iyefc89 wrote
[removed]
SendAstronomy t1_iyefkv7 wrote
cordy_crocs t1_iyegr3z wrote
From the comments I gather they just go to the other tunnel. I always assumed they led to stairs and went up.
I would prefer the tunnel doors to to go up so I could escape either tunnels if there was a situation lol
notocho t1_iyeksym wrote
What’s lucky about having shit on you
Plastic-Relation6046 t1_iyepazs wrote
This just made me laugh so hard. It's funny cause it's true!
rae1104 t1_iyepbr1 wrote
Pittsburgh potty 😂
Plastic-Relation6046 t1_iyes1di wrote
I also always wondered this too! Looks so interesting 🤔
Plastic-Relation6046 t1_iyes9gf wrote
I only learned this a few years ago.....so interesting always wondered what those were!
Askarus t1_iyeur8u wrote
that sounds fucking terrifying.
Sybertron t1_iyewtgu wrote
I really feel like traffic has improved a good bit since they removed the ceiling. Feels less claustrophobic as ya approach and less folks tap the brakes.
Sybertron t1_iyeypef wrote
What a flex at the end to eat a birthday cake in the middle of the closed off tunnel haha
Sybertron t1_iyez0e5 wrote
I wonder if they used to have tiny rail cop cars like NYCs tunnels did
https://autojosh.com/in-the-1960s-new-york-police-patrol-the-tunnels-in-these-tiny-electric-cars/
alwaysboopthesnoot t1_iyezzo7 wrote
It’s an old Italian saying, meaning you were singled out and thus are special. IDK its origins.
ChefGuru t1_iycyufy wrote
Are you talking about the doors in the middle of the tunnel that lead into the other side of the tunnel?