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74/171FAN:
Previous posts in PA thread:

https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=2410.msg2775954;topicseen#msg2775954

https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=2410.msg2770549;topicseen#msg2770549

(For US 322 and PA 45)  PennDOT - District 2 News: PennDOT Announces Start of Traffic Counts and Environmental Field Studies for State College Area Connector Study

webny99:
Great to see this getting traction, as it is badly needed.

I know we've debated on this forum before whether a connection to the PA 26 stub at I-99 (Exit 81) would make sense as an alternative. I am still supportive of that idea, since it would relieve some of the pressure on 322 between I-99 and I-80, but I recognize that the Potters Mills-Boalsburg section needs to be upgraded or bypassed regardless.

Ketchup99:

--- Quote from: webny99 on November 30, 2022, 04:01:09 PM ---Great to see this getting traction, as it is badly needed.

I know we've debated on this forum before whether a connection to the PA 26 stub at I-99 (Exit 81) would make sense as an alternative. I am still supportive of that idea, since it would relieve some of the pressure on 322 between I-99 and I-80, but I recognize that the Potters Mills-Boalsburg section needs to be upgraded or bypassed regardless.

--- End quote ---

I like the idea in theory, but there's not much pressure on 322 between Clearfield and Port Matilda. The other thing is that it would be nearly impossible to build a highway over Mount Nittany without raising the ire of environmentalists, who would have a good point. It's currently only three minutes longer to take 322 W -> 99 N -> 80 W as opposed to 322 -> 970 -> 80. Once the new interchange is finished, I'd bet a lot of trucks would choose that option too.

Bitmapped:

--- Quote from: Ketchup99 on December 18, 2022, 07:24:35 PM ---I like the idea in theory, but there's not much pressure on 322 between Clearfield and Port Matilda. The other thing is that it would be nearly impossible to build a highway over Mount Nittany without raising the ire of environmentalists, who would have a good point. It's currently only three minutes longer to take 322 W -> 99 N -> 80 W as opposed to 322 -> 970 -> 80. Once the new interchange is finished, I'd bet a lot of trucks would choose that option too.

--- End quote ---

I'm going to disagree about there not being much pressure on US 322 between I-99 and I-80. All of US 322 between Port Matilda and PA 970 (Clearfield area) is at 8400 AADT or greater, with the part nearest PA 970 at 15,000 AADT. Those numbers are enough to start a conversation about four lanes, especially when you take into account the grades and high percentage of truck traffic.

webny99:

--- Quote from: Ketchup99 on December 18, 2022, 07:24:35 PM ---I like the idea in theory, but there's not much pressure on 322 between Clearfield and Port Matilda. The other thing is that it would be nearly impossible to build a highway over Mount Nittany without raising the ire of environmentalists, who would have a good point. It's currently only three minutes longer to take 322 W -> 99 N -> 80 W as opposed to 322 -> 970 -> 80. Once the new interchange is finished, I'd bet a lot of trucks would choose that option too.

--- End quote ---

Wow, three minutes isn't much - certainly less of a difference than I was expecting. The U-shape routing between Potters Mills and Pleasant Gap is rather deceiving. That's already not much different than shortcutting via PA 144/PA 26, subtract a few minutes in savings for the US 322 upgrades and the I-80/I-99 interchange upgrades, and I-99 to I-80 would be a true toss up or maybe even the preferred route - certainly preferred for trucks since it's flatter and would/will be all-freeway.

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