Squirrel Hill Tunnels | It's Pittsburgh & A Lot of Other Stuff | A Program by Rick Sebak

We celebrate the 60th anniversary of the opening of the Squirrel Hill Tunnels! Looking at history, the ongoing renovation project, and some surprises, including help from Sam Hall, WTAE's traffic reporter.

[@briannat1086]

Lived in 11 states, travelled to 47. Pittsburgh one of the prettiest cities I've ever visited, lived. When I became seriously ill, was taken care of with such dignity, respect. GREAT CITY. GREAT PEOPLE.

[@Teutonic-Twit]

An old friend of mine was born in the middle of the Squirrel Hill Tunnels back in 1956 in the back seat of a taxi stuck in traffic.

[@Frank-ht2cn]

I love all the movies Rick makes. It makes me so proud to be from Pittsburgh. We sure have a unique city😁

[@Mr.Death101]

Where are you from in Pittsburgh? I'm in Wexford born and raised and loved the city also Rick sebak is a National Treasure

[@Ricopolico]

Often imitated, never duplicated. The genius of Rick Sabak shining brightly once again. Thank you Mr Sebak for the many hours of pleasure you have given me.

[@axmickl]

I left Pittsburgh in 1959 and moved to Florida. I still miss the city and wish I had never left.

[@sgr1888]

My grandfather did too

[@rclarkrep100]

I moved from Pittsburgh to Florida in 1996 and never looked back!

[@randyventresca4152]

I left Pittsburgh for Florida in 1986. Biggest mistake I ever made. You can't go home again is so true. Never could find my way back.

[@theduckclanofficial2884]

I was thinking of it and with all these videos I’m thinking of staying

[@suzvalentino1901]

Your not missing anything.

[@Wild1995]

Great Job Nothing says Pittsburgh better than these tunnels

[@displayfireworks1]

What will Rick come up with next? Rick you are the best. The WQED specials are always enjoyable. Keep up the good work we love them.

[@Geno2733]

Wouldn't be Pittsburgh if nobody braked in the tunnels..

[@danielfoster3642]

I both love and hate the Squirrel Hill Tunnels. Love the look and design of the tunnel, hate the slowdowns in the tunnel.

[@jerrymccommons6950]

I'm living in the time of the respiratory black death. I have nothing else to do all day, but watch stuff like this. I live in Cranberry now. I lived downtown on the northside for 20 years. I've driven it many, many times.

[@cindyburrell8426]

Well done,I too am very sorry I left,I ❤️❤️❤️🥰 Pittsburgh,people who can remain their,trust me ,never leave!No place like it!

[@DanWrightPerl]

I think he should have mentioned the area on the East side of the Squirrel hill tunnels where there are now concrete planters. There used to be a traffic cop that stood on a platform out there with a whistle and he would motion the cars through with a whistle and encourage them to maintain their speed. We never had back-ups going into Pittsburgh so bad until they eliminated that traffic cop.

[@edwardmccue3333]

I was born and raised in Pittsburgh. Moved to South Florida in 1970, and still think of ' THE BURGH ' as Home, and consider Squirrel Hill as where it all started, from my memory. My parents, Paul E. McCue and Dorothy Devine McCue, did have photos from Stanton Ave in Stanton Heights and Jancey St in Morning Side before the Move to Squirrel Hill. I did attend kindergarten at Roosevelt school before starting 1st grade at St Philomena's on Beachwood Blvd .We lived at 6514 Rosemoor st.,4233 Ludwick St.and finally 6217 Monitor St .before re-locating to Miami-Dade County, Florida

[@laurenonmoonlightdr]

Rick does a splendid job showing Pittsburgh off. So many interesting things in Pittsburgh to see and do!!

[@ramencurry6672]

Check out the Primanti sandwich

[@barbdavis4624]

I grew op in Pittsburgh and I always loved the Squirrel Hill Tunnels!

[@tommmarree3689]

Rick is the CONSUMATE PROFESSIONAL !!! THANK YOU Rick!!!!!

[@lisahoffer1365]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZmUh4hjlLR5b5o

[@johnbroadway4196]

My Fondest memories of goin through the Squirrel hill tunnels, are back as A kid in the 70's and 80's. When the one Steel Mill was just off to the left as we were heading into town. Seeing I catch those Huge conveyors with those big bucket type being raised up. To me that was such an AWESOME SIGHT.

[@patricknedz]

always slowing down at the tunnels. everyone is afraid of the tunnels in pittsburgh. Fort Pitt not only gives you a great view of the skyline but two seconds to get in the lane you need.

[@closer2theheart684]

I fell in love with Pittsburgh on my very first visit. That just happened to be last February when we came up from North Carolina to see the Pens. It's such a beautiful city with the best entrance in the USA. Pittsburgh has wonderful people, killer food, and plenty of things to see and take part in. I'll definitely be returning.

[@rumpleforeskin5064]

Awesome video well done sir, the shared birthday at the end was neat

[@povoljan13]

Still watching in 2018! Just moved to Pittsburgh and it's fascinating to know that there's a lot of history in everything I see. Thanks for this documentary!

[@LLOPEZJF]

It's amazing all the work the tunnel takes to be safe. Congratulations to Pittsburgh on this great tunnel.

[@billschwaderer875]

I was the only car in the tunnel inbound on the night of the Blizzard of 93. We stopped for 15 minutes, cleared the windshield wipers of ice, drank an Iron, or 2.

[@9kka]

I miss this city :( I left my heart in Pittsburgh :( :(

[@davidpar2]

I’ve always wanted to go up in those rooms above the tunnels

[@user-fv1mv5yj4y]

Love 😘😘 Pittsburgh great place 🎉

[@johnmears7537]

Very enjoyable video! Thanks! And the home to the lovely Jackie Evancho 😊

[@conniecrawford5231]

John Mears Jackie attends the same school - Pine-Richland H.S.- from which my 3 children graduated . She's a great singer!

[@minivanlinda1762]

Awesome. Video...moving there soon from Charleston, SC

[@patrickwentz8413]

I lived in Butler County for a lot of years. I never went thru this tunnel... Maybe the next time I go to Pittsburgh from York I will drive thru it. The Allegheny, Blue Mountain, Kittaning, and Tuscarora tunnels on the Turn Pike are pretty neat as well.

[@saintlallaward]

MY GRAMPS AND GREAT UNCLE HELPED MAKE 'EM.

[@Videokid703]

Wow did they really

[@saintlallaward]

mitchalex99 yes. i am proud of them,

[@hzlrobin3656]

Pittsburgh is truly unique in that it is a city with a entrance!

[@emm28bee]

Really interesting about the upgrade coming into the city.

[@MrMyYoyo]

We need to figure out how to make the elixir for eternal life.....for Rick Sebak. (I'm not even from Pittsburgh and I love him.....I'm moving there soon ;))

[@PalmSpringsPatriot]

I left in 1973 and even then the tunnel was a nightmare in the morning. I had a route that avoided the tunnel completely on my way to work at Joseph Horne Co. At night going home to Penn Hills it wasn’t so bad.

[@jeremylee8448]

MAINTAIN SPEED THROUGH TUNNELS. DO NOT SLOW DOWN.

[@ArtStoneUS]

*slams on brakes * 👻

[@skyway4771]

I love it I think it's great

[@ophthodoc]

Awesome documentary and another Rick classic. Rick and the tunnels are both Pittsburgh treasures

[@carolynmyers2222]

That’s some road. Just don’t get lost in Pittsburg.

[@dbrowdie]

To all drivers. Stop slowing down when you enter the Sq Hill Tunnel!! I always detour around it. I hate the slowdowns & traffic. It really is annoying.

[@JJ-hf8cn]

Delicious wax cake!

[@Zozorein]

I just watched a 30 minute video of the Squirrel Hill tunnels.... But at no point in the video was I uninterested. Good job.

[@Mr.Death101]

I'll bet you it's still just as good 7 years later. I hope you're still alive my friend if so let me know.

[@tertommy]

Traffic flows effortlessly on Pittsburgh's well designed thoroughfares.

[@ryan.aronckeys]

Going 100 in the tunnels is a must

[@workingharder412]

I drive through these tunnels everyday other day💪

[@lisahoffer1365]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZmUh4hjlLR5b5o

[@jeremyschuh]

Oh High Mark!

[@brianludwigjr487]

It's the tunnel monster nom nom nom

[@jaredbrown1580]

Dan also walk with an invisible backpack on his right shoulder. Keeps secret highway invisible documents in it!!! And why Pittsburgh is one big parking lot

[@leatherman88ch]

And the liberty and fort Pitt on a 3-year renovation every 3 years

[@andrenewcomb3708]

I live in the American southwest . . . desert. Water's a problem for our area. There's a lake only 10 miles away BUT there are mountains in between and a military base. It sure would be nice if people didn't have to go 60 miles in one direction or 30 miles in an other direction on basically primitive roads to get to there. A short 5 miles to a scenic overlook for people on lunch break could enhance domestic tranquility. A tunnel from Coronado under the base through the Huachucas and Sonoita and Elgin won't have to compromise national security through the West Gate. And a thirst can be alleviated by just looking at the lake from the overlook.

[@andrenewcomb3708]

Cupolas, Indiana Jones, Apache groves, ancient village, and helping neighbors.

[@shawnpa]

I think drivers hit the brakes when they see drivers tail lights turn on in the tunnels. Maybe signs to turn on lights before entering the tunnels would help.

[@stanpatterson5033]

I doubt it. Look at the Lehigh Tunnel, it has signs WELL before entering the tunnel, also reminders after to check your lights, nobody bothers. Everyone is too busy texting, playing with their music, concentrating on anything but what they should be concentrating on.

[@stevefranckhauser7989]

These tunnels were designed for the day they opened, but not the day after.

[@Panginu]

????

[@stevefranckhauser7989]

@@Panginu meaning they were obsolete almost immediately

[@Panginu]

@@stevefranckhauser7989 how so

[@Cammi_Rosalie]

I'm one of those drivers who tends to complain about traffic slowing down for seemingly no reason upon approaching a tunnel. Along with that perception of a close quarters, or confined, if you will, roadway, I also think it has a lot to do with the perception of speed. You see, We don't drive with our eyes fixed to the speedometer. (Instead many are intensely fixed to cellphones, unfortunately) Most of our regulation of speed comes from our visual perception of how fast we are passing things. And when you are on an open-air roadway, things are a bit more distant to you. You drive past these things, these hills, buildings, trees and other structures. Man-made or otherwise. They seem to come up to you (in relation to your forward movement) at a familiar pace. We all know how it looks like to drive 55, 60, Mph and see this visual phenomenon. We are used to it. It is ingrained into every driver who bothers to look up from their darn cellphone. (Yes, it a big-time peeve of mine) Now you bring a large structure MUCH closer to the drivers. Ok, you may still be moving at 55, or 60 Mph, but since the walls and ceiling of that tunnel are so much closer than things outside, they seem to come up to you so much faster. Thus giving the driver a sense of higher speed as those things (tunnel walls and entrances) race past you, just mere feet away from your mirrors. So, many will slow down. Not necessarily intentionally, But more subconsciously, to maintain the similar "Visual" of the speed they had outside. Same thing happens down by Mon-wharf. Big walls closing in around you. People slow down. Does that make any sense to you? I think it's a fairly sound observation. I traverse both Squirrel Hill and Fort Pitt tunnels 4 times a day, as I drive from Washington Pa, to Swissvale, and back, twice a day. I see much more drastic slow-downs coming upon the Fort Pitt tunnels than I have ever seen approaching Squirrel Hill tunnels. With FPT, there are many roads merging and drivers trying to shoehorn their ways into a 2-lane tunnel. Both ways. But with SHT, there's not nearly as many roads trying to merge there. Lastly, Some days I'm granted the opportunity to add the Liberty "tubes" to my daily route, as I go from Swissvale over to Sawmill Run/51. The host mentioned four sets of tunnels. I only know of FPT, SHT and Liberty "tubes" Did he say "Wabash"? Where are those? One day, I'd like to go through all of the tunnels. Then maybe cruise on down to Wheeling and hit the one on I70 just for S&G.

[@BalBurgh]

The Armstrong Tunnel is tucked into a quiet corner of the city. I think I've been through it all of once.

[@raylee5030]

We need a new highway from the Pittsburgh airport to the East, bypassing the congested downtown and Squirrel Hills Tunnel.

[@emm28bee]

I wonder if slowdowns are partly caused by people with Vertigo passing through the tunnels....just a thought.

[@bronxpatriot7059]

Some drivers are apparently afraid to drive through these tunnels. They always slow down and create unecessary traffic. Once you are out of the tunnels there is no more traffic. Perhaps signs are needed, "do not slow down". The parkway gets congested enough. There are signs when entering the tunnels that say "be prepared to stop". Those need to be removed 🙄.

[@danrobinson572]

Live 15 minutes from the squirrel hill tunnels.

[@melesmeles2095]

Anyone notice the Penn dot workers all walk slower than molasses? Same way they work.

[@jimmyjack4872]

Meles Meles now dammit , that’s funny as hell .

[@jamessimms415]

Only AL DOT is worse

[@antelopeanders6625]

Hey i did the saw cutting the first half of the tunnel. Wore full face respirators and couldn't see a foot infront of yourself from the dust.

[@brickboys7375]

How does no one know why it backs up? I get that it would slow some regardless, which is the beginning of the problem, but there's a definitive reason for it in both directions because of the compounding of them going slow. Going inbound, there's people getting on at Edgewood/Swissvale, and Forest Hills and you then have some of them going in the fast lane. You have some people in the fast lane staying close to the car in front of them so people can't cut in. You have some going slower, then cars continually merge in front of them which in turn causes them to slow more. The other direction it's because there's an exit onto the highway right before the tunnel. I don't think it would be feasible, but if they could divide the fast lane from the slow lane where say you'd get in it before Forest Hills then no exit or entrance until you're through the tunnel, that lane would continuously move. The problems would be it would be narrow, so the speed limit would be lower all day. Second, if there were ever a breakdown or accident, everyone behind that car would be stuck forever.

[@rachelebuckendahl9903]

How long drve thru tunnel?

[@marcdich9066]

oh how i want one of those arrow x lights that hung over the entrance , you know one for each lane either green arrow or red x

[@thecameronshow6327]

wqed i love you guys on WQED tv

[@deathcheater9303]

Blaming Rick for the back ups for now on! 😂😂😂

[@dwaneyocum1718]

I'll never understand why they didn't foresee making it three lanes through the tunnels like it is before and after on the Parkway. It's inevitable that one day they're have to.

[@edwardfestor8726]

I was told that they absolutely knew that three tunnels were needed, before they even began. One inbound, one outbound, and one that changed direction to accommodate prevailing traffic at rush hour but was not used most of the time. The bean counters nixed that feature, and Pittsburgh has suffered ever since.

[@dwaneyocum1718]

@@edwardfestor8726 Amen.

[@msueldo]

Watching this on june 5

[@MelancoliaI]

Only in PGH would they bake a birthday cake for a tunnel.

[@MrBugman2525]

Pittsburgh should call it the Jeff goldblum tunnel

[@stevefranckhauser7989]

His next show will be “Pittsburgh Things that aren’t here anymore. Taxpayers.”

[@leatherman88ch]

And Liberty and Fort Pitt is every 5 years right now I'm sorry every year

[@bobbyplummer4415]

Pittsburgh rocks Northside Perry hilltop

[@chrismiller271]

He was right 😂

[@keiththomas3141]

I wish I got a dollar for every time I drove through that tunnel.

[@slinkystarfirelight5968]

I hate the Squirrel Hill tunnel, just like I hate all of Pittsburgh tunnels...I literally go a mile or two, out of my way to avoid them! Let an accident or break down happen at the entrance or exit, that's minutes and some times hours from getting to onces destination.!

[@peaceout506]

more lanes less traffic

[@saturdaymorning329]

More penn-dot construction.

[@bigjoe6899]

i was born sept 7th day construction began

[@paulheckbert]

The program should have investigated why the backups are so bad. Think of how many hours of productivity are lost every day by people sitting in traffic before the Squirrel Hill Tunnel. What could reduce the backups? (1) better mass transit, (2) reduce inbound stop-and-go chain reactions by raising the ceiling, reducing claustrophobia, brighter lights, ticket drivers that drive too slowly in the tunnel or that slam on their brakes unnecessarily, (3) reduce outbound backups by redesigning the horrible Squirrel Hill interchange, (4) self-driving cars, (5) people could move closer to where they work.

[@AquaCarb]

I thought for sure the upgrade would include another lane each way. Traffic backups almost always involve too many people using the road at once. More lanes usually fix the problem. Or Space out when people are needed to be at work.

[@kingboru86]

Don't hit your brakes just because you see a tunnel.

[@ArtStoneUS]

Do PAT buses use the tunnel?

[@KnucklesJohnny]

They should have had Fred Rogers do this narrative.

[@lisahoffer1365]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZmUh4hjlLR5b5o

[@reuvenknight1575]

He died 10 years before they made this...

[@ArtStoneUS]

​@@reuvenknight1575 Details!

[@ironman4122]

🖤💛🏒🏈🤟✌️

[@steveff43]

Austin Price Ditto

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[@orisonsquirrell]

Helicopters were long time invented.. what the heck ya talking about?

[@marvalousmarvin9234]

Too many commercials, especially for PBS, Public Television. Start at 2:07 . You're welcome.

[@tylermoses7829]

I recognize that this is about the pride of the car and roads. but... still, a basically un-walkable city compared to many. that hurts most cities in modern times. America is so far behind the rest of the world when it comes to walkable and sustainable cities. it's quite pitiful really. Actually... It is embarrassing. The roads are shit and nothing is walkable.

[@reuvenknight1575]

I have no idea what you were talking about here. Pittsburgh is very walkable, as most walkers in the area know. Many times I preferred to walk rather than wait for a bus. There are a lot of good walking routes between neighborhoods. Heck, I could think of a great walking route from Greentree, through downtown, all the way to McKeesport, though I probably wouldn't walk it because that is a lot of miles. I could push that even further to Upper St. Clair or Bridgeville, no problem, and heck, why stop at McKeesport when you can keep going all the way to Monroeville Mall? Nah man, Pittsburgh is very walkable, you just need to know the routes.

[@th1alb]

Sorry Pittsburgh!

[@johnnypastrana6727]

@@PhilVaglia Yeah, Pittsburgh is such a paradise...😂😂😂

[@PhilVaglia]

@@johnnypastrana6727 In that case, perhaps never visit again? There's a finite amount of Voltaren, Flomax, and Depends within city limits, anyway. Save them for the locals. They'd appreciate it.

[@mikeg3281]

A 2 lane road going into a major city? Doesn’t make any sense

[@ArtStoneUS]

The population of the city of Pittsburgh has actually shrunk by about half since 1950, but the suburbs gained about double that. The tunnel is the symptom, not the problem. Why have 300,000 people moved out of the city and its once expansive public transit system? Perhaps the 3% city income tax could be related?

[@johnnypastrana6727]

Like my brother in law says, people are from Pittsburgh, nobody is actually living there now. Let's face it, Pittsburgh is no paradise...never has been.

[@urankjj]

Get bent.

[@TheJackster412]

Go pound salt buddy

[@ophthodoc]

Hey Johnny I’m gonna come out there and cut your brake lines.... just kidding. Maybe. All’s I’m sayin is be careful next time ya go dahntahn

[@brettwinkelmanjr6381]

Would be great if people knew how to drive instead of screwing up the flow of traffic

[@psychedelicnarwhal9599]

Oh No TuNnEl WhAt ShOuLd I Do? Me: GO!!

[@melissacoy8265]

These people are not Yinzers. 6 minutes in and not a single Pittsburgh accent. It's the Liberty Tubes and dahntahn. Come on now! LoL

[@ophthodoc]

You mean overtahn not dahntahn

[@alexsmith6914]

Nobody in Pgh knows how to drive and all of the tunnels are terrible.

[@suzvalentino1901]

The worst drivers are in Pgh.

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[@Mr.Death101]

If you're really want to invest let me know I'm not just going to do this for anybody but .....; Let me know I trust you