WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. -- If you are a fan of Kennywood Park, get ready for something big next year.

Park officials say the 2010 season will include a new, yet-to-be-named roller coaster that will twist and corkscrew after a high-speed launch as it races along at a maximum of 50 mph.

"We've been thinking about this for a long time, and the time was finally right for us to say, yes, we want to do this," Kennywood spokesman Jeff Filicko said.

VIDEO - Watch Amber Nicotra's Report From Kennywood Park
VIDEO - Watch A Teaser For The New Coaster

Here is the statement from Kennywood general manager Jerome Gibas:

"This roller coaster will provide a thrilling new experience for coaster lovers at Kennywood. The use of LSM launch technology will allow riders to blast from 0 to 50mph in three seconds and offers our first roller coaster with inversions since the Steel Phantom.

"Kennywood's new launch coaster will feature many exciting and unique features including three inversions and a 0-50mph launch in three seconds! After the high-speed launch, riders will experience a vertical ascent to 95ft before a brief cliffhanger pause at the top and a 90-degree drop into a maximum G-force pullout. The riders then enjoy extended airtime as the train races into an inverted top hat element, passes into a barrel roll and goes vertical again through a twist up leading to another pause.

"Riders experience a second vertical free fall followed by another maximum G-force pullout on the way into a highly banked fan curve. After a traditional corkscrew, a curve to a zero gravity hill, and a series of wave turns, riders finally return to the station.

The Turnpike ride will be removed to make way for the new roller coaster.

Sunday will be the last day that Kennywood customers can ride the Turnpike. Park officials said there are plans to bring it back at some point but no date has been set.

"I'm not a roller coaster fan, so I do like the cars. It's something they (kids) can drive themselves," said Turnpike rider Kim Peck, of Uniontown.

"I've been coming here since I was a kid, which was back in the '60s and everything, and it's one of the first rides when we come in the gate we go jump on," said Turnpike rider Keith Rose, of Kennedy Township.

"I rode it since I was a kid. I don't want to say my age," said Lisa Zakarian, of Beaver County.

Slideshow - WTAE Day At Kennywood Park (July 2008)

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