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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]

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.

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]

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.

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]

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.

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.

[Ketchup99]

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.

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.

Well, this threw me for a loop. I didn't realize the counts were that high, as every time I've driven it (which is routinely), it doesn't seem that congested. But numbers don't lie...

It would definitely be an interesting route to try to four-lane. In particular, the section heading down into Philipsburg from the east would be nearly impossible to four-lane. Would the only solution be a new bypass of Philipsburg? That would be expensive...

[Roadsguy]

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.

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.

Well, this threw me for a loop. I didn't realize the counts were that high, as every time I've driven it (which is routinely), it doesn't seem that congested. But numbers don't lie...

It would definitely be an interesting route to try to four-lane. In particular, the section heading down into Philipsburg from the east would be nearly impossible to four-lane. Would the only solution be a new bypass of Philipsburg? That would be expensive...

A new-alignment freeway is exactly what would most likely happen along the entire corridor from Port Matilda to I-80, and I believe PennDOT does still intend to build it someday, though it's been shelved for a long time. It's even designated ADHS Corridor O-1, a branch from Corridor O (I-99/US 220).

[ARMOURERERIC]

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.

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.

Well, this threw me for a loop. I didn't realize the counts were that high, as every time I've driven it (which is routinely), it doesn't seem that congested. But numbers don't lie...

It would definitely be an interesting route to try to four-lane. In particular, the section heading down into Philipsburg from the east would be nearly impossible to four-lane. Would the only solution be a new bypass of Philipsburg? That would be expensive...

A new-alignment freeway is exactly what would most likely happen along the entire corridor from Port Matilda to I-80, and I believe PennDOT does still intend to build it someday, though it's been shelved for a long time. It's even designated ADHS Corridor O-1, a branch from Corridor O (I-99/US 220).

There was a straight line schematic posted on the board about 20 years ago

[amberjns]

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.

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.

Well, this threw me for a loop. I didn't realize the counts were that high, as every time I've driven it (which is routinely), it doesn't seem that congested. But numbers don't lie...

It would definitely be an interesting route to try to four-lane. In particular, the section heading down into Philipsburg from the east would be nearly impossible to four-lane. Would the only solution be a new bypass of Philipsburg? That would be expensive...

A new-alignment freeway is exactly what would most likely happen along the entire corridor from Port Matilda to I-80, and I believe PennDOT does still intend to build it someday, though it's been shelved for a long time. It's even designated ADHS Corridor O-1, a branch from Corridor O (I-99/US 220).

I would like to believe that this will actually happen