Pennsylvania turnpike officials are re-evaluating a plan to remedy the high-traffic volume in the tunnel through the Allegheny Mountains that many Penn State students use to travel to and from State College.

Carl DeFebo, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission public information manager, said constructing a bypass over the Allegheny Mountains or a new tunnel running through the mountains are two options being considered as long-term solutions. He added that these solutions must be explored because the average daily use of the tunnel was 30,648 vehicles last year, a 25-percent increase over the previous decade.

"The tunnel is like a bottleneck. The more the traffic volume grows, it becomes more of a choke point," DeFebo said.

A 2000 study conducted by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission explored alternatives for the Allegheny Mountain Tunnel, but it was put on hold because of the high cost -- $91 million to $150 million -- and environmental concerns about the proposed 220-foot deep cut in the mountain range.

The commission reopened the study in 2005, and all possible solutions are being evaluated. The commission makes the final decision on which option to apply.

Many Penn State students use the highly traveled tunnel, located about 125 miles east of Pittsburgh, to get home, DeFebo said.

"There's going to be some kind of congestion, especially in the peak summer months and busy holidays. The students realize it more than anyone," he said.

Robert Reddinger (junior-supply chain and information systems), who left State College through the tunnel for Thanksgiving break, experienced the delays.

"Traffic was heavier than normal," Reddinger said. "It took a lot longer to get home."

With 43 accidents a year on average between 1997 and 2000, the accident rate on this section of the turnpike is one-third higher than the rest of the roadway, according to the Pennsylvania State Police.

State police Sgt. Anthony DeLuca said the accident rate is small considering that 50 million to 60 million vehicles use the roadway every year.

"I haven't seen any major accidents," said Stephanie McChessney (senior-archeological science), who often travels the turnpike to get home.

Backlogged traffic through the Allegheny Mountain Tunnel poses a risk to all drivers, especially during holidays when many are traveling home.

DeFebo said the state is concerned with improving the roadway's safety. About $50 million in repairs will be made to the tunnel in late 2006, including inside lighting.

Toll rates increased from 4.1 cents per mile to 5.9 cents per mile for commercial cars in 2004, and the revenue from the increase is being reinvested into the highway with the planned construction.

DeFebo said that even though planning has begun, a long-term solution might not appear within the next decade.

"If traffic continues to increase at its current pace, we are going to be confronted with a situation within 15 to 20 years in which something has to be done," he said.