SwiftGate for Pennsylvania Turnpike

The Tuscarora Mountain Tunnel consists of individual two-lane highway tunnels through the Tuscarora Mountain between Huntingdon and Franklin Counties in rural Pennsylvania. Each tunnel is around 1.6km long with portal buildings at each end. As part of a rehabilitation project, Versilis, based in Quebec, Canada, was selected by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to supply a permanent automated lane closure system at each tunnel approach.
October 19, 2020 Read time: 2 mins
Two series of SwiftGate HSG-18CW automated gate systems facilitate the lane shifts during lane closure in the Tuscarora Mountain Tunnel

Tunnel closure using standard maintenance of traffic procedures can take up to 45 minutes or 90 minutes to open and close. This reduces the night-time work window. The solution was to install two series of SwiftGate HSG-18CW automated gate systems - 38 gates in all – to facilitate the lane shifts required as part of tunnel closures.

A taper of automated gates is deployed in less than five minutes. The gate system can be operated locally using the Versilis RF Handheld Remote Control or remotely using the Versilis web page. Full integration of the gates within the tunnel SCADA traffic management centre system is underway as part of another project. The Versilis SwiftGate HSG-18CW is crash-tested to NCHRP-350 requirements. Each gate has a very narrow mechanism footprint, allowing installation on a narrow median barrier wall.

Gate arms offer increased visibility in order to send a clear message to motorists that an access is closed. The Versilis communication hardware allows different operation and monitoring options as well as easy integration into a traffic management centre system using NTCIP protocol.

Highway & Network Management

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • New concrete testing technologies improve speed, safety and quality
    July 8, 2016
    Developments in data processing and management are revolutionising the way concrete strengths can be measured and used to improve efficiencies - Kristina Smith reports on two new technologies A new system that uses thermal imaging to measure the strength of sprayed concrete tunnel linings is being trialled for the first time in London. The brainchild of Dr Benoit Jones, managing director of Inbye Engineering, the technique could lead to improvements in safety, quality and – in the longer run – productivi
    Read More
  • Qatar tunnel project benefits from sophisticated formwork
    March 7, 2018
    A sophisticated formwork solution has played an important part in the construction of a new road and rail tunnel in Qatar in the Middle East. The formwork system was supplied by ULMA, which supplied its equipment for the construction of the Lusail Boulevard Tunnel in Qatar. The new tunnel provides access to the new Lusail City Development, from the heart of Doha and will be a vital transport link for the planned 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament. The overall Lusail City Development, located 15km north of Do
    Read More
  • Low temperature asphalt and aggregate options’
    February 7, 2014
    At what point does ‘some technology’ become ‘enough technology’? Less than four years ago industry publications were filled with a persistent message, the reluctance of UK based contractors to adopt machine control to the same extent as near European neighbours, particularly close ones such as Ireland and Holland. However from 2009 onwards we have seen a huge shift in demand for machine control as the success of high profile road and rail jobs such as the M25 widening scheme and Airdrie – Bathgate rail
    Read More
  • Barrier innovations making roads safer
    February 21, 2013
    Developments in barrier technology continue to make roads safer for drivers - Mike Woof writes. Innovative new barrier technology is helping make roads safer for drivers. Key developments have been made in barrier design, helping ensure road and highway infrastructure is more passively safe. New barrier designs ensure that errant vehicles are redirected into the roadway, with reduced risks for occupants and also other road users. Continuously slipformed concrete barriers reinforced with steel are now widely
    Read More

Highlighted Content