This engineering marvel used to be a passage for The Western Maryland Railway as its trains cut through a Somerset County mountain in Pennsylvania. When the train tracks from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland eventually became the Great Allegheny Passage biking and hiking trail, the Big Savage Tunnel's deplorable condition was a major obstacle for bicyclists trying to connect with the C&O Canal trail into Washington, D.C.
ABOVE: The Big Savage Tunnel
during its years of operation.
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ABOVE: WQED-TV's David Solomon
and
Paul Ruggieri interview construction
management supervisor Rolland
"Rhody"
Rhodomoyer.
OnQ's Emmy-winning production team of David Solomon and Paul Ruggieri have followed the tunnel's impressive restoration project for three years. Now, David and Paul chronicle the history, renovation and recent opening of Big Savage.
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Big Savage before renovation. | Construction crew at work. |
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Rhodomoyer and Brett Hollern, Somerset County Trail Coordinator, inspect lights inside Big Savage. | Bikers finally pass through Big Savage Tunnel in May 2006. |
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