I-376 to be Extended...Eventually

[Henry]

Why is I-376 extended from its original terminus towards I-79, then goes north to I-76 again, then north to I-80?

I imagine because the whole corridor, with the exception of the trumpet @ New Castle (which they did a pretty good job with slight alterations making it seem like 376 is the "thru-route" with a left exit & merge), was crapped together over the years as a single road.

It was seen fit to number the whole thing as such (and politicians touted benefits of having an Interstate designation where there was previously none), rather than the hodgepodge of routes the corridor previously was. 

why is it called I-376? why not I-876 or something like that?

I imagine that since I-376 already existed, it was seen as more simple and less confusing to just "extend" what was already there, rather than switch numbers to something new.

It's a goofy corridor to be sure, and though it's signed East-West, I'm pretty sure it does more North-South between it's termini. But in the long-term, for the Average Joe, I'd have to imagine it is easier to deal with.

And let's not forget, the same problem exists around Augusta, GA, where I-520 meets its parent at both ends. At least it has an excuse for existing in two states (GA and SC).

[PAHighways]

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