Interstate 99

History

Southern Terminus

Northern Terminus

Routing

Connecting the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 70-76) Bedford with U.S. 220 at Bald Eagle, Interstate 99 is another growing Interstate corridor. Also known as the Appalachian Thruway and the Bud Shuster Byway, it is the first Interstate highway to have its designation written into law (National Highway Designation Act of 1995). Several other Interstates (including Interstate 66 in Kentucky and Interstate 86 in New York have since had their designations written into law.) Ultimately, Interstate 99 will connect the Turnpike with Interstate 80 via State College, and a new segment will extend Interstate 99 north into New York via U.S. 15, connecting with Interstate 86.

Located east of Interstate 79 and west of Interstate 81, Interstate 99 is the bane of many road enthusiasts who treasure an orderly and sequential numbering system for Interstate highways. The numbering of this highway was determined by Congressman Bud Shuster. He was responsible for writing Interstate 99's designation into the 1995 National Highway Designation Act. The number "99" violates the standard numbering convention associated with Interstate highways (according to numbering guidelines, Interstate 99 should be hugging the Atlantic coast, not the small Pennsylvania cities of Altoona and State College.) Under the orderly system, the lowest numbers are on the West Coast and the highest numbers are on the East Coast. While central Pennsylvania is pretty far east, it is still hundreds of miles from the Atlantic Ocean. Several north-south routes, including Interstates 81, 83, 87, 89, 91, 93, 95, and 97 all lie east of Interstate 99. In addition, a long-considered Interstate from Interstate 95 near Wilmington, Delaware, south to Norfolk, Virginia, would have to take the "101" designation since "99" was taken by the Appalachian Thruway.

High Priority Corridor

Proposed Interstate 99 in central Pennsylvania is part of High Priority Corridor 9: Appalachian Thruway Corridor. Its designation is written into law.

Future Aspirations

The Interstate 99 designation was approved by Congress as part of the National Highway System Designation Act (signed into law by President Clinton on November 28, 1995). Three years later, a portion of Interstate 99 was approved by AASHTO's Route Numbering Subcommittee on November 6, 1998, between Bedford and Bald Eagle. The section north of Bald Eagle, which was largely unconstructed at that time, was not submitted to AASHTO for approval at that time.

The original section of Interstate 99 between the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 70/76 at Bedford) and Bald Eagle along the U.S. 220 freeway was first signed in 1995. A new section of Future Interstate 99 opened on November 25, 2002, between State College and Interstate 80 (signed as U.S. 220), followed by the section between Bald Eagle and Port Matilda / Skytop, slated to open between December 12-19, 2007.² The section between Skytop and State College remains under construction, and once this middle section is finished, Interstate 99 will be signed between Bedford and Interstate 80.

Completion of the route west of State College, known as the "Skytop" section, was hampered with delays due to environmental concerns associated with acid rock, sandstone laced with pyrite. Clean-up of the pyrite-laced sandstone, which when exposed to air and water creates sulfuric acid, delayed the opening of Interstate 99 west of State College from an anticipated Summer 2006 completion.¹

The rest of planned Interstate 99 is a future route with signs proclaiming its extension along U.S. 220 to Lock Haven and Williamsport, then northbound along U.S. 15 toward newly commissioned Interstate 86 near Corning, New York. It is possible that Interstate 99 could continue north all the way to Rochester via Interstate 390. Although some discussions have considered the possibility of Interstate 83 continuing north to Rochester, it does not appear that will occur due to the large gap of Interstate-standard freeway between Harrisburg and U.S. 15.

A freeway is under construction from Tioga northward to the New York state line in anticipation of the U.S. 15 upgrade to Interstate 99. Work on the six-mile project is slated for completion by Labor Day 2008. Further north, work involving the upgrade of the U.S. 15 and Interstate 86 interchange should be completed by July of 2008. Formerly a diamond interchange, the freeway junction now includes high-speed flyovers to accompany an overall upgrade of the U.S. 15 freeway leading south from Painted Post.

The southern terminus of Interstate 99 in Bedford is also likely to change, as the highway is part of the Appalachian Thruway/High Priority Corridor 9. Improvements are planned for U.S. 220 south to Cumberland, and expansion to Interstate standards may occur at some point.

Parallel U.S. Routes

The existing section of Interstate 99 overlaps with U.S. 220 for its entirety, and it will continue along U.S. 220 until reaching U.S. 15 in north-central Pennsylvania and New York. It is not clear if Interstate 99 would supplement or replace U.S. 15.

History

Much of the U.S. 220 freeway that now doubles as Interstate 99 was built in the 1970s. The freeway between Bedford Springs and Tyrone was completed by 1995.¹

Highway Guides

• Interstate 99 Pennsylvania

	Southern Terminus - Interstate 70/76/Pennsylvania Turnpike - Bedford, Pennsylvania Perspective from Interstate 99 south Interstate 99 & U.S. 220 continue south of the Exit 3 diamond interchange toward the Exit 1 junction to the Pennsylvania Turnpike (junction Interstate 70 & 76). The two-mile guide sign for the turnpike connection lies ahead of the Pennsylvania 56 (Pensyl Hollow Road) over crossing. Photo taken Alex Nitzman/Corey Dukes (04/30/05). This end shield is located on the overlap with U.S. 220. Interstate 99 ends here, and U.S. 220 continues as a freeway for a distance to the west of Bedford. The Interstate designation ends at the trumpet interchange with U.S. 220 Business near Bedford County Airport. Similar to Breezewood, the connection between Interstate 99 and the turnpike leads through the city of Bedford, including several gas stations and fast food restaurants. One must pass several traffic lights to reach the on-ramp to Interstate 70/76. This makes the southern end of Interstate 99 unlike most others, as there is no direct connection to the freeway. Photo taken by Oscar Voss (7/99). Another view of the Interstate 99 End signage. Traffic staying on U.S. 220 southward past Bedford sees another seven miles of freeway before merging with the old U.S. 220 from Bedford. The Maryland State line is twenty miles beyond the freeway end. Photo taken by AARoads (10/01). Exit signage Pictured in the background of the above two photobox entries for Exit 1 on Interstate 99 southbound. The Interstate 70/76 split is 17 miles to the east while the Steel City is 100 miles to the west via the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Interstate 376. Photo taken by AARoads (10/01). The ground level sign for Exit 1 was replaced with an overhead assembly for the off-ramp to U.S. 220 (N. Richard Street). A pull-through panel advises motorists of the connections with U.S. 30 at Bedford and the Maryland destination of Cumberland. A full-cloverleaf interchange joins the federal highways two miles south of Interstate 99. Photo taken Alex Nitzman/Corey Dukes (04/30/05). Drivers departing Interstate 99 for U.S. 220 Business (N. Richards Street) travel east to a signalized intersection north of Bedford. A set of trailblazers direct motorists onto U.S. 220 Business southbound at the end of the off-ramp. Photo taken Alex Nitzman/Corey Dukes (04/30/05). A Pennsylvania Turnpike trailblazer lies at the Exit 1 intersection with U.S. 220 Business (N. Richards Street). U.S. 220 Business travels three miles north to junction Pennsylvania 56 & Interstate 99-U.S. 220 at Cessna. Photo taken Alex Nitzman/Corey Dukes (04/30/05). U.S. 220 Business (N. Richards Street) southbound carries Interstate 99 travelers to the Exit 146 trumpet interchange with Interstates 70 & 76 and the city of Bedford. Photo taken Alex Nitzman/Corey Dukes (04/30/05). The Pennsylvania Turnpike on-ramp departs U.S. 220 Business (N. Richards Street) ahead of the Interstate 70 & 76 over crossing. A large Turnpike trailblazer coupled with faded Interstate 70 & 76 shields point toward the toll plaza for the highway. Photo taken Alex Nitzman/Corey Dukes (04/30/05). Perspective from Interstate 70-76/Pennsylvania Turnpike east On the eastbound Pennsylvania Turnpike, Exit 146, Junction Interstate 99 and U.S. 220 is signed on the upcoming exits sign as "Bedford." The first mention of the interchange with the southern end of Interstate 99 on Interstate 70-76/Pennsylvania Turnpike east is posted after the interchange with Pennsylvania 711 near Donegal (not shown) and again after the interchange with U.S. 219 near Somerset (Exit 110), which is shown here. The next two exits along eastbound Interstate 70-76/Pennsylvania Turnpike is Exit 146, Junction Interstate 99 and U.S. 220 to Bedford and Altoona (36 miles) and Exit 161, the Breezewood Interchange (which is where Interstate 70 splits from Interstate 76/Pennsylvania Turnpike (52 miles). Photo taken by Chris Lokken and Amber Mason (06/24/08). Continuing east on Interstate 70-76/Pennsylvania Turnpike for some distance, this two-mile advance sign for Exit 146, Junction Interstate 99 and U.S. 220 is posted prior to the Bedford interchange. Photo taken by Chris Lokken and Amber Mason (06/24/08). Eastbound Interstate 70-76/Pennsylvania Turnpike approaches the one-mile advance sign for Exit 146, Junction Interstate 99 and U.S. 220. Use Interstate 99 and U.S. 220 north to Altoona, Bald Eagle, and State College. As of August 2008, Interstate 99 ends near Bald Eagle; the remainder of the completed route is signed as a future Interstate 99 route. Once the gap near Bald Eagle is closed, Interstate 99 will extend north to Interstate 80 at its Exit 161. Eventual plans call for Interstate 99 to continue north via U.S. 220 and U.S. 15 through Williamsport to Interstate 86 in New York. Photo taken by Chris Lokken and Amber Mason (06/24/08). U.S. 220 travels south to Cumberland, Maryland. While U.S. 220 and Interstate 99 share a freeway corridor north of Bedford, U.S. 220 is a two-lane highway south to Cumberland. Interstate 99 could someday extend southward to Cumberland, Maryland along the U.S. 220 corridor, but it is not likely anytime soon due to funding considerations. In Cumberland, U.S. 220 meets Interstate 68 and U.S. 40, then continues south into West Virginia and eventually Virginia. South of Roanoke, U.S. 220 is generally planned for the Future Interstate 73 corridor into North Carolina. Photo taken by Chris Lokken and Amber Mason (06/24/08). The right lane of Interstate 70-76/Pennsylvania Turnpike east becomes exit only for Exit 146, Junction Interstate 99 and U.S. 220 in Bedford. Like several freeway-to-freeway connections along the Pennsylvnia Turnpike, the connection to Interstate 99 and U.S. 220 is not a direct connection. Motorists must use Business U.S. 220 north to a connecting road onto Interstate 99 and U.S. 220. (See below for a profile of the connection to Interstate 99 via Business U.S. 220 north). Photos taken by Chris Lokken and Amber Mason (06/24/08) and Andy Field (11/99). Interstate 70-76 pass under the U.S. 220 freeway, which will become part of Interstate 99 north of this point. The actual offramp is found immediately after this bridge; it will connect motorists to Business U.S. 220 in Bedford. Photo taken by Chris Lokken and Amber Mason (06/24/08). At the end of the exit ramp from Interstate 70/76/Pennsylvania Turnpike to Business U.S. 220 is a signalized connection to Interstate 99. Traffic bound for Interstate 99 must turn left at this intersection (north on Business U.S. 220). According to William F. Yurasko, there used to be an older button-copy sign at this location, and it also had the Interstate 99 shield on it. However, as of 2001, PennDOT had not erected a single overhead sign with an Interstate 99 shield, nor have they placed any on existing signs. This interchange is not a standard freeway-to-freeway connection; instead, it is controlled by traffic lights. Finally, motorists traveling between Pennsylvania Turnpike Exit 146 (former Exit 11) (Interstate 99) and Exit 161 (former Exit 12) (Interstate 70) don't have to pay a toll, as former U.S. Representative Bud Shuster was able to get legislation passed to lift the toll between these two exits (and thus improve the traffic counts using the connection from Interstate 99 south to Interstate 70 east). Photo taken by AARoads (10/01). Perspective from Interstate 70-76/Pennsylvania Turnpike west Westbound Interstate 70-76 (Pennsylvania Turnpike) approaches Exit 146, Interstate 99/U.S. 220, two miles. The connection between Interstate 70-76 and Interstate 99 is achieved via Business U.S. 220, thus requiring the use of local streets to connect between two freeways. Photo taken by AARoads (10/15/04). Westbound Interstate 70/76 (Pennsylvania Turnpike) approaches Exit 146, Interstate 99/U.S. 220, one mile. Interstate 99 is cosigned with U.S. 220 for its entire length through Altoona to Bald Eagle. Once it is completed around State College, U.S. 220 is planned to be routed along with Interstate 99 through Happy Valley. Photo taken by AARoads (10/15/04). Westbound Interstate 70/76 (Pennsylvania Turnpike) reaches Exit 146, Interstate 99/U.S. 220. This exit connects to Business U.S. 220, which in turn leads to Interstate 99 and U.S. 220. Like Interstate 81 and Interstate 70, Interstate 99 does not connect directly to the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Until the early 2000s, neither did Interstate 176 or Interstate 79. Photo taken by AARoads (10/15/04). Perspective from Business U.S. 220 north A short distance to the north of the Interstate 70-76/Pennsylvania Turnpike interchange is the access road to the southern terminus of Interstate 99 and the U.S. 220 freeway. Traffic headed for Interstate 99 turns left at this intersection. Photo taken by AARoads (10/01). Perspective from the Connecting Road from Business U.S. 220 to U.S. 220 The ramps for the U.S. 220 freeway partition, with the right lane connecting to Interstate 99 and U.S. 220 north, while the left lanes . The button copy signage stems from the initial signing of the U.S. 220 freeway. The only mention of Interstate 99 was the shield posted to the right. With that stated, the overheads were replaced by 2005 with full reflectorized panels featuring "Clearview" font. Photo taken by AARoads (10/01). Perspective from Interstate 99 and U.S. 220 north The first reassurance shield for Interstate 99 is posted just after merging with U.S. 220 north after the Business U.S. 220 interchange. From here, 32 miles northward is the city of Altoona. Photo taken by AARoads (10/01). Historic Northern Terminus - U.S. 220 - Bald Eagle, Pennsylvania Perspective from Interstate 99 north Interstate 99 drew to a close at the confluence of Pennsylvania 350 (7 Stars Road) and U.S. 220 Business near Bald Eagle. The freeway ended at 7 Stars Road just ahead of its intersection with U.S. 220 Business. Pennsylvania 350 merged with U.S. 220 briefly from the end of Interstate 99 to junction U.S. 220 Business. From there the state highway proceeds northwest to Philipsburg as U.S. 220 Business continues along the original U.S. 220 alignment to Port Matilda. Photo taken by Oscar Voss (07/99). Perspective from Pennsylvania 350 north Pennsylvania 350 (7 Stars Road) westbound on the approach to junction Interstate 99 & U.S. 220. The freeway ended at the forthcoming intersection with U.S. 220 & Pennsylvania 350 merging briefly between Interstate 99 and U.S. 220 Business. Traffic turning left ahead enters the historic southbound beginning of Interstate 99 en route to Altoona. Photo taken by Tim Reichard (04/07/02). Pennsylvania 350 northbound turned north onto U.S. 220 at the Interstate 99 freeway end. A shield assembly and guide sign lied at the junction between the three highways. U.S. 220 Business parallels Interstate 99 & U.S. 220 to the west between Port Matilda and Tyrone. U.S. 220 continues northeast along Interstate 99 from Pennsylvania 350 to Port Matilda and State College. Photo taken by Tim Reichard (04/07/02). Perspective from U.S. 220 and Pennsylvania 350 south Southbound Pennsylvania 350 nears the intersection with old U.S. 220 (Bud Shuster Highway) & U.S. 220 Business at Bald Eagle. The state route joined U.S. 220 briefly between U.S. 220 Business and the freeway beginning of Interstate 99, but now travels this road alone. U.S. 220 Business continues the original U.S. 220 alignment southward to Tyrone, Tipton, Bellwood, and Altoona. Photo taken by Tim Reichard (08/05/02). U.S. 220 Business south at junction Pennsylvania 350 and the former beginning of the Bud Shuster Highway (U.S. 220) southbound. U.S. 220 Business began and proceeded southward five miles to Tyrone, but now entails all of U.S. 220 through Bald Eagle. Pennsylvania 350 enters the scene 13 miles southeast of Philipsburg. U.S. 220 & Pennsylvania 350 south briefly merged before the nearby split with the Interstate 99 freeway beginning. Photo taken by David Greenberger (06/00). U.S. 220 & Pennsylvania 350 southbound leave Bald Eagle and U.S. 220 Business. The tandem quickly split at the intersection with 7 Star Road and Interstate 99 south. Pennsylvania 350 turns southeasterly en route to Warriors Mark and Seven Stars. U.S. 220 upgraded to Interstate 99 south of the split with Pennsylvania 350. This intersection no longer exists. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman/Corey Dukes (04/30/05). The southbound beginning of Interstate 99 historically occurred at the former U.S. 220 intersection with Pennsylvania 350 (7 Stars Road). The four-lane freeway continued from the at-grade intersection 21 miles to Altoona and 52 miles to Bedford. An interchange now joins 7 Stars Road with Interstate 99 & U.S. 220 nearby east of U.S. 220 Business at Bald Eagle. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman/Corey Dukes (04/30/05). Northern Terminus - Interstate 80 - near Milesburg, Pennsylvania Perspective from Future Interstate 99, U.S. 220, and Pennsylvania 26 North Interstate 99 & U.S. 220 travel north from the Mount Nittany Expressway (U.S. 322) at State College to junction Interstate 80 to east of Milesburg. At present the four-lane freeway transitions into an at-grade expressway at the Exit 161 half-cloverleaf interchange with Interstate 80. Pictured here is the advance overheads for the interchange posted at Jacksonville Road. Photo taken Alex Nitzman/Corey Dukes (04/30/05). The left-hand lane of U.S. 220 & Pennsylvania 26 defaults onto the eastbound on-ramp to Interstate 80. U.S. 220 northbound joins Interstate 80 for 17 miles between Pennsylvania 26 and Exit 178 near Mill Hall Former U.S. 220 Alternate followed the original U.S. 220 overlap with Interstate 80 west to Milesburg and Exit 158. The alternate route was decommissioned with the completion of Interstate 99 at Port Matilda. Photo taken Alex Nitzman/Corey Dukes (04/30/05). U.S. 220 north leaves Pennsylvania 26 at the Interstate 80 eastbound on-ramp. 12 miles separate the interchange here and the next eastbound exit with Pennsylvania 64. U.S. 220 Alternate south began and traveled north along Pennsylvania 26 to the westbound on-ramp. Photos taken Alex Nitzman/Corey Dukes (04/30/05). Pennsylvania 26 north & former U.S. 220 Alternate southbound reduce to two lanes as they pass underneath Interstate 80 & U.S. 220. Photos taken Alex Nitzman/Corey Dukes (04/30/05). Former U.S. 220 Alternate south departs Pennsylvania 26 north for Interstate 80 west between Exits 161 and 158. The Bud Shuster Highway carries the federal highway southwest 16 miles through Milesburg, Unionville, and Julian. Interstate 80 proceeds west to DuBois, Clarion, Sharon, and Youngstown, Ohio. Pennsylvania 26 continues northeast to Jacksonville and Howard. Photos taken Alex Nitzman/Corey Dukes (04/30/05). Perspective from Interstate 80 west and U.S. 220 south Signed as Pennsylvania 26 originally, Interstate 99 connects Interstate 80 at Exit 161, which is also signed for U.S. 220. The original U.S. 220 was signed as Alternate U.S. 220 (to Exit 158) until late 2007. Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05). Westbound Interstate 80 approaches Exit 161, Junction Pennsylvania 26 and Interstate 99 & U.S. 220 south to Bellefonte and State College - one mile. Use Exit 161 to Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) and Happy Valley. Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05). Even though there is a limited deceleration lane from westbound Interstate 80 to southbound Interstate 99 & U.S. 220 and Pennsylvania 26, Exit 161 indeed represents the connection to a freeway. The future extension of Interstate 99 north to Painted Post and possibly Rochester in New York will overlap with Interstate 80 between Exit 161 and Exit 178, where U.S. 220 travels northeast toward Williamsport. At Williamsport, Interstate 99 will turn north via U.S. 15 toward New York State. Since the U.S. 220 connector to U.S. 15 is not near completion yet, it is likely that Interstate 99 will end at Interstate 80 for a time to come. Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05). Future Northern Terminus - Interstate 86 - Painted Post, New York Perspectives from U.S. 15/Future Interstate 99 Three Future Interstate 99 corridor signs are posted along U.S. 15 northbound between Williamsport and the New York state line. Pictured here is a corridor sign posted at the north end of the Mansfield Bypass. U.S. 15 Business merges onto U.S. 15 northbound ahead. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (05/07/05). One-mile end expressway signage on U.S. 15 northbound as it approaches its northern terminus at Interstate 86/U.S. 15. Although the northern terminus is at an Interstate, the junction between the two was not a high-speed connection originally. Photo taken by Douglas Kerr (10/05/02). Road work related to the reconstruction of the U.S. 15 & Interstate 86 interchange shifts traffic onto the southbound freeway as crews redesign the existing U.S. 15 freeway from Painted Post south to Gang Mills. The Interstate 86 & New York 17 signs pictured above remained in place adjacent to the removed pavement. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (05/07/05). Traffic interests to the Rochester metropolitan area should take Interstate 86 & New York 17 west to Interstate 390 north. Interstate 390 links the Southern Tier Expressway with Interstate 90 and the city of Rochester to the north. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (05/07/05). The last mainline exit of future Interstate 99/U.S. 15 is for Gang Mills (old U.S. 15). This sign bridge also shows the lane allocation for the upcoming traffic signal at Interstate 86/New York 17. Note that New York 15 emerges on the left-hand panel. The route designation is a vestige of the former U.S. 15 routing to Rochester. Photo taken by Douglas Kerr (10/05/02). Construction of the Interstate 86 & Future Interstate 99 interchange involves redesigning the Gang Mills trumpet interchange with Dann Boulevard. The original ramp was closed at the time of this photo as crews redesign the entire configuration of both U.S. 15 and the Dann Boulevard ramps. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (05/07/05). Expressway ends overhead posted one quarter mile south of the U.S. 15 partial-cloverleaf interchange with Interstate 86 & New York 17 and Hamilton Street (original U.S. 15). Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (05/07/05). Junction Interstate 86 shield posted on U.S. 15 northbound with the newly created northbound to westbound flyover in view. Construction of the new interchange is slated for completion in 2008. See the NYSDOT Project Website for detailed information and maps. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (05/07/05). Traffic for Interstate 86/New York 17 eastbound into Corning departs from the right. Ahead was the traffic signal between the westbound Interstate 86 off-ramp and on-ramps and that of Hamilton Street from Painted Post. The traffic signal marked the northern terminus of U.S. 15. A revisit to the U.S. 15 northern terminus reveals the presence of the future northbound ramp to Interstate 86 westbound overhead. The eastbound off-ramp to Interstate 86 & New York 17 (Southern Tier Expressway) joins the new Corning bypass (constructed in the mid to late 1990s) en route to Elmira. Photos taken by Douglas Kerr (10/05/02) and (05/07/05). Approaching the signalized intersection with the Interstate 86 & New York 17 westbound ramps and Hamilton Street at U.S. 15's north end. The signalized intersection replaced a circle-interchange built in the late 1950s. That design was replaced in 1987. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (05/07/05). U.S. 15 (Future Interstate 99) ends at the Interstate 86 and New York 17 westbound off-ramp. New York 415 (High Street) passes through Painted Post just a few blocks ahead. Use Hamilton Street north for High Street and western reaches of Corning. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (05/07/05). Perspective from Interstate 86/New York 17 west The current thinking is that Interstate 86 will mark the northern terminus of Interstate 99. Additionally rumors abound that Interstate 99 may overlap with Interstate 86 and overtake Interstate 390 from the southern terminus near Avoca northward to Rochester. This photograph shows advance signage in anticipation of the current northern terminus of U.S. 15 near Corning along Interstate 86/New York 17 westbound. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (07/01/05). An Interstate 86/Southern Tier Expressway shield assembly is posted prior to the U.S. 15 interchange (Exit 44). Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (07/01/05). Westbound Interstate 86/New York 17 meets the north end of the U.S. 15 freeway at this off-ramp. U.S. 15 is limited access between Interstate 86 and Presho. The interchange between the two highways however, was not a full freeway-to-freeway connection (although it is under construction). Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (07/01/05). Westbound Interstate 86/New York 17 and U.S. 15 split at this point. No signs are posted for Interstate 99 here yet; several gaps in the route still need to be connected before it can get to this area. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (07/01/05). A flyover ramp from northbound U.S. 15 to Interstate 86 west and New York 15 north was under construction at the time this photo was taken. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (07/01/05). U.S. 15/New York 415 (former U.S. 15 north of this interchange)/New York 417 (former New York 17 west of this interchange) shield assembly at the end of the westbound Interstate 86/New York 17 ramp for the northern terminus. As mentioned above, a traffic signal directed traffic between the two highways even with U.S. 15 attaining freeway status southward. Photo taken by Bryan Farr (04/15/02). Perspective from Interstate 86/New York 17 east Reflective signage with button copy lettering on Interstate 86/New York 17 eastbound for Exit 44/U.S. 15 south/New York 417 west. When Interstate 99 is extended northward, U.S. 15 will likely be truncated back to Williamsport, Pennsylvania at Interstate 99 or Interstate 180. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (05/11/05). Interstate 86/New York 17 eastbound at Exit 44/U.S. 15 southbound. New York 417, an east-west highway to the south, is the former New York 17 pre-freeway routing between Olean and Gang Mills in southern Allegany and Steuben Counties. The state route begins on U.S. 15/Future Interstate 99 four miles to the south. Photo taken by Alex Nitzman (05/11/05). Construction is well underway to upgrade the Exit 44 diamond-interchange into a tri-level stack interchange for the arrival of Interstate 99. In addition to the construction of flyovers, reconstruction is underway entailing the U.S. 15 freeway between Painted Post and Gang Mills. Photos taken by Alex Nitzman (05/11/05).

Sources:

1. See Centre Daily News (02/15/04) for more on the environmental issues along Interstate 99; see also an editorial on the pollution situation
2. "Interstate 99 opening delayed," The Altoona Mirror, December 1, 2007.
3. Pennsylvania Highways: Interstate 99.

Page Updated August 10, 2008.