<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2veRKa_0vlKdtfl00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2veRKa_0vlKdtfl00" width="1320" height="743" >Somerset County, PA — Pennsylvania Turnpike officials say they are looking to construct a 1000-foot-wide gash into the Allegheny Mountain as a part of the Allegheny Mountain Realignment Project.They say this new alignment will improve access and mobility for the region.Turnpike officials say this project is currently in its preliminary design phase.Residents, including government officials, and leaders, some of them living near the proposed project site quick to share their concerns at a meeting in the Somerset Church Of The Brethren on Thursday.“This mountain is special. It's amazing. It's part of a mountain range that is older than the Atlantic ocean.”says Director of the Pennsylvania Chapter Of The Sierra Club, Tom Schuster.Concerned residents say they think it would be cheaper to just build another tunnel than to move a part of the mountain.“Think of all the animals you’re going to kill with this project and the scar you’re going to leave there.” says Pitt-Johnstown professor,Christine Dahlin.“It's not just about hazardous materials, and it's not just about the cost of this project. This community is passionate about this mountain.”Somerset county commissioner, Pamela Tokar-Ickes says.“None of us want this. We don’t want it. For 30 years, my entire adult life, you’ve been threatening to take our mountain.”Rep. Carl Metzgar says.Other concerns brought up include noise from traffic on the open highway that the lack of mountain would reportedly create, as well as the access to clean water that leaders from the town of berlin say would be jeopardized.Turnpike officials say they are taking public input seriously and say their feedback will help them get a clearer idea moving forward.“I think with every project, you’re going to have people who support the project, and you’re going to have people who oppose it. I think their opinions are their opinions. Our job is to build our aging infrastructure.”says Assistant Chief Engineer For Design, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Kevin Scheurich.People in opposition of the project say over 800 signatures have been collected for people against the current project.</div></body>

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'We don't want it' Strong opposition voiced against Turnpike project to cut mountain

Somerset County, PA — Pennsylvania Turnpike officials say they are looking to construct a 1000-foot-wide gash into the Allegheny Mountain as a part of the Allegheny Mountain Realignment Project. They say this new alignment will improve access and mobility for the region. Turnpike officials say this project is currently...