Road Closure. Flying High in 4K Above The Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Road Closure is a project exploring the abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike capturing the haunting beauty of this forgotten highway using my DJI Mini 2 drone. The aerial footage showcases the eerie appeal of crumbling asphalt being reclaimed by nature, with sweeping shots revealing the full scale of abandonment. My drone's ability to navigate through and around the massive tunnels created compelling visuals that highlight the site's post-apocalyptic atmosphere. After shooting, I carefully edited the footage in Final Cut Pro, enhancing the contrast between decaying infrastructure and encroaching wilderness.
This 13-mile stretch of highway was once part of America's first superhighway, built in the 1930s. In 1968, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission bypassed this segment when constructing wider tunnels to accommodate increasing traffic. Left behind were two massive tunnels—Rays Hill and Sideling Hill—along with miles of deteriorating roadway slowly surrendering to the elements.
The abandoned turnpike gained fame as a filming location for several productions, most notably the 2009 post-apocalyptic film "The Road," starring Viggo Mortensen. Its crumbling infrastructure and isolated tunnels provided the perfect backdrop for the movie's bleak, dystopian landscape.
Today, this ghost highway has become a magnet for urban explorers and adventure seekers. The property, now owned by the Southern Alleghenies Conservancy, attracts hikers, cyclists, and photographers drawn to its post-apocalyptic aesthetic. The tunnels, stretching up to a mile long, plunge visitors into complete darkness at their centers, creating a thrilling yet unsettling experience that my drone footage dramatically highlights.
Equipment: DJI Mini2 and iPhone | Edited with Final Cut Pro using CinePacks Mavic 2 Pro LUT's.
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Hilltop Productions was founded in 2013 by Matt Lolich. His years of experience include live sports production, video production in government and the private sector, and the film world. some past clients have included ESPN, Trout Unlimited, and Berkshire Hathaway. His award winning short films have been screened at numerous festivals around the country.