I-79

I-79 is a significant north-south Interstate Highway that spans approximately 343 miles, connecting West Virginia and Pennsylvania. The highway passes through major cities such as Charleston and Pittsburgh, intersecting with notable roads like U.S. Route 60 and Pennsylvania Turnpike. I-79 also crosses the Monongahela River and the Ohio River, providing access to various National Parks and National Forests, including the Monongahela National Forest and the Allegheny National Forest. The highway is maintained by the West Virginia Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

● Route description

I-79 begins at the Kentucky state line near Evansville, where it intersects with Kentucky Route 80 and U.S. Route 119. The highway then proceeds north through West Virginia, passing near the New River Gorge Bridge and the Kanawha River. As it approaches Charleston, I-79 intersects with U.S. Route 60 and West Virginia Route 114. Continuing north, the highway crosses into Pennsylvania and passes near the Pittsburgh International Airport and the University of Pittsburgh. I-79 also intersects with the Pennsylvania Turnpike and U.S. Route 30, providing access to major cities like Philadelphia and Cleveland. The highway terminates in Cranberry Township, where it meets Pennsylvania Route 228 and U.S. Route 19.

● History

The construction of I-79 began in the late 1950s, with the first segment opening in 1958 near Charleston. The highway was built to improve transportation between West Virginia and Pennsylvania, and to provide a more direct route between the Ohio River and the Great Lakes. I-79 was also designed to intersect with other major highways, including the Pennsylvania Turnpike and U.S. Route 60. The highway was constructed by the Federal Highway Administration and the West Virginia Department of Transportation, with funding provided by the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956. I-79 has undergone several improvements and expansions over the years, including the addition of new interchanges and the reconstruction of existing segments.

● Major intersections

I-79 intersects with several major highways, including the Pennsylvania Turnpike, U.S. Route 60, and U.S. Route 30. The highway also crosses the Monongahela River and the Ohio River, providing access to various National Parks and National Forests. I-79 passes near the Pittsburgh International Airport and the University of Pittsburgh, and intersects with Pennsylvania Route 228 and U.S. Route 19 in Cranberry Township. The highway is also close to the Allegheny County Airport and the West Virginia University. Other notable intersections include U.S. Route 119, West Virginia Route 114, and Kentucky Route 80.

● Exit list

The exit list for I-79 includes several notable interchanges, such as the Pennsylvania Turnpike interchange near Pittsburgh, and the U.S. Route 60 interchange near Charleston. The highway also has interchanges with U.S. Route 30, Pennsylvania Route 228, and U.S. Route 19. Other exits provide access to West Virginia University, the University of Pittsburgh, and the Pittsburgh International Airport. I-79 also has exits for National Parks and National Forests, including the Monongahela National Forest and the Allegheny National Forest.

● Facilities and points of interest

I-79 provides access to various facilities and points of interest, including the Pittsburgh International Airport, the University of Pittsburgh, and West Virginia University. The highway is also close to the Allegheny County Airport and the New River Gorge Bridge. I-79 passes near several National Parks and National Forests, including the Monongahela National Forest and the Allegheny National Forest. The highway also intersects with the Pennsylvania Turnpike and U.S. Route 60, providing access to major cities like Philadelphia and Cleveland. Other notable points of interest include the Kanawha River, the Ohio River, and the Monongahela River. Category:Interstate Highways in the United States