Yesterday was the last chance for the region's underage drivers to take a spin on the Turnpike, which is being shut down to make way for a new steel roller coaster at the West Mifflin amusement park.

The Turnpike opened in 1966 and offered its riders a sometimes-jerky four-minute drive through a shaded grove of trees.

Kennywood has said that it will bring back the ride sometime after the 2010 season in a new spot.