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Interstate 378 Pennsylvania

 

History

Now Pennsylvania 378, decommissioned Interstate 378 was a spur of the former route of Interstate 78, opened in 1968 and decommissioned in 1971. It spurred from the Interstate into Bethlehem at a time when Interstate 78 and U.S. 22 were both signed on the Lehigh Valley Thruway. Today, the Lehigh Valley Thruway is solely signed as U.S. 22, and Interstate 78 was moved to a new southerly alignment. Once Interstate 78 was relocated, Interstate 378 was decommissioned and renumbered as Pennsylvania 378.

The interchange between Pennsylvania 378 and U.S. 22 has been reconstructed as part of the Lehigh Valley Thruway improvements and widening. Interstate 378 was once proposed to extend south across the Lehigh River, ending at an interchange with a freeway, Constitution Drive on the west and South Side Spur on the east, with the South Side Spur planned to go east and south to Interstate 78 and possibly becoming part of Interstate 378.

For more information on decommissioned Interstate 378, visit Jeff Kitsko's excellent Pennsylvania's Dearly Departed Interstates.

Southern Terminus - Downtown Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Perspective from Pennsylvania 378 south
Looking south on Pennsylvania 378 (former Interstate 378 from 1968 to 1971), the final exit is Exit 3, West North Street, which provides access to the Center City of Bethlehem. The freeway ends in about a half-mile (note the expressway ends sign on the overhead sign bridge). Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).
The speed limit drops to 40 miles per hour on the freeway. Note the older standards used on this freeway, including a limited shoulder, limited sight distance, and curves. The freeway is dropping a bit toward the Lehigh River. Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).
The Lehigh River bridge comes into view as Pennsylvania 378 rounds the last corner. All four lanes cross the bridge, only to culminate at a traffic signal. Turn left on Pennsylvania 412 (Third Street) to Lehigh University. Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).
Preparing to cross the Lehigh River on this truss bridge, the former Interstate highway came to an end here. The bridge was not part of the former Interstate, and there is no median or barrier separating the two directions of traffic. On the south side of the bridge, Pennsylvania 378 meets Pennsylvania 412 (Third Street) at a traffic signal, with Polaski Park serving as the green space between the directions of traffic. Pennsylvania 378 will continue south as Wyandotte Street. Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).
This dual truss bridge carries Pennsylvania 378/Bridge Street over the Lehigh River. On the south side of this bridge is the signalized intersection with Pennsylvania 412, which travels east and then south through Bethlehem, ultimately terminating at Pennsylvania 611 (Old U.S. 611) near Nockamixon State Park. Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).
A pair of guide signs are mounted on the front of the second overhead truss section of this dual truss bridge. The left lane connects to Pennsylvania 412/Third Street, while the both lanes continue south along Pennsylvania 378/Wyandotte Street. Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).
After the Lehigh River bridge, Pennsylvania 378 meets Pennsylvania 412/Third Street at this signalized intersection. Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).
Perspective from Pennsylvania 378 north
Northbound Pennsylvania 378/Bridge Street meets Pennsylvania 412/Third Street in Bethlehem. This marks the northern terminus of Pennsylvania 412. Pennsylvania 378 prepares to cross the Lehigh River on this dual truss bridge, then becomes a freeway (joining former Interstate 378) on the north bank. Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).
The dual truss, locally known as the steel bridge, carries four lanes of traffic over the Lehigh River. Downtown Bethlehem sits on the north bank of the river; Lehigh University sits on the south bank. Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).
Between the two trusses visible to drivers on Pennsylvania 378 north, both motorist and pedestrian scale lighting is available for safety on the bridge at night and during inclement weather. Note the older style of concrete guardrail along the pedestrian walkway. Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).
A pair of guide signs are mounted on the second visible truss on the Lehigh River bridge. Northbound Pennsylvania 378 will transition to freeway standards after the Main Street exit. The offramp actually carries Bridge Street into downtown Bethlehem; it intersects with Main Street at its eastern end. Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).
Northbound Pennsylvania 378 reaches the Main Street offramp. From here, Pennsylvania 378 follows former Interstate 378 (signed from 1968 through 1971) north to U.S. 22/Lehigh Valley Thruway. Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).
A restoration area and greenbelt lines Pennsylvania 378 as it begins the freeway journey north to U.S. 22. Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).
This is the first northbound Pennsylvania 378 reassurance shield since the freeway began. For a very brief time, this freeway was signed as Interstate 378. Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).
The next exit along northbound Pennsylvania 378 is Exits 2E-W, Eighth Avenue. The first exit connects to northbound Eighth Avenue (Exit 2E), followed by the ramp to southbound (Exit 2W). Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).
Northern Terminus - U.S. 22 - northern Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Perspective from Pennsylvania 378 north
About midway along its freeway portion, northbound Pennsylvania 378 (former Interstate 378, 1968-1971) approaches its junction with Eighth Street (Exits 2E-W). Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).
Northbound Pennsylvania 378 (former Interstate 378) reaches Exit 2E, Eighth Street north. The next exit is a loop ramp that connects to Exit 2W, Eighth Street south. Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).
With a guide sign mostly obscured by brush, northbound Pennsylvania 378 (former Interstate 378) reaches Exit 2W, Eighth Street south. The next exit is the junction with U.S. 22/Lehigh Valley Thruway, several miles northwest of here. Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).
Newer reflective signs for U.S. 22 grace the first lane allocation signage for the connection to the Lehigh Valley Thruway on northbound Pennsylvania 378. Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).
Use U.S. 22 west to the Lehigh Valley International Airport (left lane on northbound Pennsylvania 378). Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).
To Schoenersville Road, use U.S. 22 east, then follow the signs on the collector-distributor lanes. Unlike Exit 1 on southbound, there is no direct ramp to Schoenersville Road or Catasauqua Road on northbound. Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).
Northbound Pennsylvania 378 (former Interstate 378) comes to an end at this point, where the right lane transitions onto eastbound U.S. 22 (former Interstate 78) to Easton and the left lane transitions onto westbound U.S. 22 to Allentown. This marks the northern terminus of Pennsylvania 378 and the end of the old Interstate highway. Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).
Perspective from U.S. 22/Lehigh Valley Thruway east
This mileage sign is the first indication of the pending junction with Pennsylvania 378 south to Bethlehem. Pennsylvania 378 was formerly known as Interstate 378 when Interstate 78 was planned to follow U.S. 22 along the Lehigh Valley Thruway. Since Interstate 78 now bypasses the valley to the south, Interstate 378 was orphaned and renumbered as a state route. Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).
After traffic merges back onto eastbound U.S. 22 from Pennsylvania 987/Airport Road, the new lane becomes the exit only connection to Pennsylvania 378 south to Bethlehem. Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).
Use Pennsylvania 378 south to downtown Bethlehem and Lehigh University. The route is freeway south to the Lehigh River bridge; the university is located on the south bank of the river along Pennsylvania 412/Third Street east. Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).
Eastbound U.S. 22/Lehigh Valley Thruway (Former Interstate 78) reaches the ramp to southbound Pennsylvania 378 (former Interstate 378). Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).
Now on the collector-distributor lanes for the trumpet interchange that serves Pennsylvania 378 as well as the connection to Schoenersville Road, the first ramp connects to Pennsylvania 378. The collector-distributor lane continues east to Schoenersville Road, then rejoins eastbound U.S. 22. Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).
Perspective from Pennsylvania 378 south
The first exit along southbound Pennsylvania 378 is Exit 1, Catasauqua Road to Schoenersville Road. The exit numbers on this short freeway are sequential, not mileage-based. The signs along this stretch mostly date back to the late 1960s when the freeway was built. Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).
Southbound Pennsylvania 378 reaches Exit 1, Catasauqua Road (east to Schoenersville Road, which parallels Pennsylvania 378 to the east). The next exit is Exit 2, 8th Avenue (one and one-half miles). Note that the sequential exit numbers increase as the freeway travels farther south. Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).
Continuing south, this is the one-mile advance sign for 8th Avenue. This is almost the midpoint of the short freeway. Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).
Pennsylvania 378 briefly turns east to interchange with Exit 2, 8th Avenue. The last exit on southbound is Exit 3, West North Street/Center City. Photo taken by AARoads (09/01/05).

Page Updated June 11, 2006.

 
Mileage

State Pennsylvania
Mileage 3
Cities Bethlehem
Junctions U.S. 22 (former Interstate 78)
Source: Pennsylvania Highways: Pennsylvania's Decommissioned Highways
Pennsylvania 378 Annual Average Daily Traffic

County From: To: AADT Composite
Lehigh Begin freeway/2nd Avenue 8th Avenue 35,000
Lehigh 8th Avenue U.S. 22 Lehigh Valley Thruway 35,000
Source: Pennsylvania Traffic Volumes 2002 (Penndot)

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