U.S. Route 322 in Pennsylvania

U.S. Route 322 in Pennsylvania is a major east–west highway spanning the breadth of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It connects the Ohio border near Sharon to the Delaware River at Chester, traversing diverse terrain from the Allegheny Plateau to the Piedmont and the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The route serves as a vital corridor for commerce, tourism, and access to numerous state universities and recreational areas.

Route description

Beginning at a complex interchange with Interstate 80 and U.S. Route 422 in Irwin Township, U.S. 322 heads east across the northwestern part of the state. It passes through the city of Meadville and skirts the southern shore of Pymatuning Reservoir before entering the Allegheny National Forest region. The highway crosses the Susquehanna River at Duncannon and continues through the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians, serving the Pennsylvania State University main campus at State College. East of Harrisburg, it becomes a major limited-access highway, known as the Benjamin Franklin Highway and later the Conchester Highway, as it approaches the Delaware Valley.

History

The route was originally designated as part of the Pennsylvania State Highway System in the early 20th century, with segments following historic pathways like the William Penn Highway. It was incorporated into the United States Numbered Highway System in 1926. Major realignments and upgrades occurred throughout the 20th century, including the construction of the Pymatuning State Park causeway in the 1930s and the significant bypass of West Chester in the 1990s. The most substantial ongoing project is the Central Susquehanna Valley Transportation Project, which includes a new river crossing and expressway segment near Selinsgrove to alleviate congestion.

Major intersections

Key junctions from west to east include the western terminus at I-80/US 422; an intersection with U.S. Route 19 in Mercer; a concurrency with U.S. Route 6 near Union City; interchanges with I-99/U.S. Route 220 at State College and Interstate 81 at Clarks Summit; a major junction with the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76) and U.S. Route 1 at the Great Valley interchange; and its eastern terminus at U.S. Route 13 in Chester.

Special routes

Several special designations exist along the corridor. A business route serves downtown State College and the Pennsylvania State University campus. Historically, a former alternate route existed between Downingtown and Philadelphia, which later became part of U.S. Route 30. The Conchester Highway segment is also sometimes referenced as a distinct controlled-access spur.

See also

* List of U.S. Highways in Pennsylvania * Pennsylvania Department of Transportation * Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania * U.S. Route 422 in Pennsylvania * Pennsylvania State University

Category:U.S. Highways in Pennsylvania