When you think of famous signs of Pittsburgh, the dimensional letters above the entrance to the Fort Pitt Tunnel might not immediately spring to mind. But dimensional letters, raised, individual signs typically in the form of letters or logos, are some of the most eye-catching signs in the business. Think of the brightly colored lettering on the exteriors of iconic fast food restaurants like McDonald’s or Eat’n Park. Fort Pitt’s brushed-steel channel letters have been captivating drivers entering Pittsburgh since 1960. That extra touch created by the dimensional letters, combined with the stunning city views on the other side of the tunnel, make driving the Fort Pitt Tunnel one of the highlights of any Pittsburgh visit.
Installing the dimensional letters to the tunnel entrance was probably the easiest part of the tunnel’s construction. Starting in 1957, huge drills bored through Mount Washington at a rate of 46 feet per day, filling a nearby valley on Banksville Road with the excavated rock and debris. But, as any Yinzer will tell you, their efforts were worth it. No one forgets a nighttime drive through Fort Pitt, when the city skyline is at its most gorgeous. Just make sure you snap back into reality in time to make your exit!
Later this month, when football fans arrive for Draft Weekend, for many it will be the first time they experience the exhilaration of driving through the Fort Pitt Tunnel. Distracted by the excitement of the draft, they might not expect to be taken away by Pittsburgh’s beauty. But as they drive through the tunnel, draft-goers will have one last sign of what awaits them on the other side: the simple words, “FORT PITT TUNNEL.”
Want your business to be as memorable as a trip through Fort Pitt Tunnel? Call Fastsigns of Pittsburgh at 412-344-5700.