I-99/U.S. 220 South - Blair / Bedford Counties

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Interstate 99U.S. 220

Altoona began as a Pennsylvania Railroad staging area for construction of the line west from Harrisburg in 1849. By 1854, Altoona incorporated as a borough as work proceeded on the Pennsylvania Railroad at the section along Horseshoe Curve nearby. The railroad was completed in 1858 between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and Altoona continued to grow as a railroad town with incorporation as a city by 1868. The railroad industry fueled Altoona's growth to a peak of 82,000 residents in 1930.2 Railroad importance declined after World War II, and the city lost its edge as a regional employment center. Local officials hoped the addition of I-99 would spurn economic development for Altoona and the region.

Interstate 99 U.S. 220 South
I-99/U.S. 220 southbound reassurance markers posted between Bald Eagle and Tyrone. The rural freeway has a 65 mph speed limit.

I-99/U.S. 220 southbound reassurance markers posted between Bald Eagle and Tyrone. The rural freeway has a 65 mph speed limit.

04/30/05

Two miles north of PA 453 (Exit 48) on I-99/U.S. 220 southbound. PA 453 serves the city of Tyrone between U.S. 22 near Alexandria and Curwensville.

Two miles north of PA 453 (Exit 48) on I-99/U.S. 220 southbound. PA 453 serves the city of Tyrone between U.S. 22 near Alexandria and Curwensville.

04/30/05

PA 453 south connects with PA 550 east. PA 550 parallels I-99/U.S. 220 northeast from the Tyrone area to State College. PA 453 travels alongside the Little Juniata River to Birmingham and Spruce Creek on the nine mile drive to U.S. 22 at Water Street.

PA 453 south connects with PA 550 east. PA 550 parallels I-99/U.S. 220 northeast from the Tyrone area to State College. PA 453 travels alongside the Little Juniata River to Birmingham and Spruce Creek on the nine mile drive to U.S. 22 at Water Street.

04/30/05

Southbound at the parclo interchange with PA 453 (11th / 10th Streets) in Tyrone. PA 453 turns northward onto Pennsylvania Avenue with U.S. 220 Alternate through Downtown Tyrone just west of I-99. PA 453 continues 12 miles northwest to Viola in southern Clearfield County.

Southbound at the parclo interchange with PA 453 (11th / 10th Streets) in Tyrone. PA 453 turns northward onto Pennsylvania Avenue with U.S. 220 Alternate through Downtown Tyrone just west of I-99. PA 453 continues 12 miles northwest to Viola in southern Clearfield County.

04/30/05

A trumpet interchange and access road joins I-99/U.S. 220 with U.S. 220 Alternate (Pleasant Valley Road) at forthcoming Exit 45. U.S. 220 Alternate parallels I-99 to the west between the nearby communities of Tipton and Grazierville.
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A trumpet interchange and access road joins I-99/U.S. 220 with U.S. 220 Alternate (Pleasant Valley Road) at forthcoming Exit 45. U.S. 220 Alternate parallels I-99 to the west between the nearby communities of Tipton and Grazierville.

04/30/05

PA 865 begins at the diamond interchange (Exit 41) with I-99 near Bellwood. The state route ventures 18 miles northwest to PA 53 at Coalport. PA 865 follows Logan and Tuckahoe Streets through Bellwood to Roots Crossing west of town. Skelp Mountain Road ties into the exchange at Exit 41 from the east.

PA 865 begins at the diamond interchange (Exit 41) with I-99 near Bellwood. The state route ventures 18 miles northwest to PA 53 at Coalport. PA 865 follows Logan and Tuckahoe Streets through Bellwood to Roots Crossing west of town. Skelp Mountain Road ties into the exchange at Exit 41 from the east.

04/30/05

PA 764, like PA 865, also begins at Interstate 99. PA 764 travels west along Sabbath Rest Road to U.S. 220 Business (N Pleasant Valley Boulevard) nearby for an overlap through Pinecroft and Altoona. The state route serves Altoona's Oak Spring Winery.

PA 764, like PA 865, also begins at Interstate 99. PA 764 travels west along Sabbath Rest Road to U.S. 220 Business (N Pleasant Valley Boulevard) nearby for an overlap through Pinecroft and Altoona. The state route serves Altoona's Oak Spring Winery.

04/30/05

Sabbath Rest Road enters the diamond interchange at Exit 39 from Brush Mountain Road to the east. PA 764 turns southward onto U.S. 220 Business at nearby Pinecroft, while Sabbath Rest Road continues west to Bellwood Avenue. PA 764 ends at the U.S. 22 freeway south of Altoona.

Sabbath Rest Road enters the diamond interchange at Exit 39 from Brush Mountain Road to the east. PA 764 turns southward onto U.S. 220 Business at nearby Pinecroft, while Sabbath Rest Road continues west to Bellwood Avenue. PA 764 ends at the U.S. 22 freeway south of Altoona.

04/30/05

The first Altoona exit along I-99/U.S. 220 connects with 17th Street at a parclo interchange. 17th Street heads west from Exit 33 into the Pleasant Valley and Downtown areas of the city.

The first Altoona exit along I-99/U.S. 220 connects with 17th Street at a parclo interchange. 17th Street heads west from Exit 33 into the Pleasant Valley and Downtown areas of the city.

04/30/05

I-99/U.S. 220 south next meet Frankstown Road near Blair County Ballpark. Frankstown Road runs between Union Avenue (PA 36) in Altoona and U.S. 22 (William Penn Highway) at Frankstown. Exit 32 serves Lakemont Park & Island Waterpark nearby and Canoe Creek State Park 12 miles to the east. Built in 1894, Lakemont Park is the 8th oldest amusement park in the U.S. and is home to the oldest roller coaster, the 1902-built "Leap-the-Dips."3

I-99/U.S. 220 south next meet Frankstown Road near Blair County Ballpark. Frankstown Road runs between Union Avenue (PA 36) in Altoona and U.S. 22 (William Penn Highway) at Frankstown. Exit 32 serves Lakemont Park & Island Waterpark nearby and Canoe Creek State Park 12 miles to the east. Built in 1894, Lakemont Park is the 8th oldest amusement park in the U.S. and is home to the oldest roller coaster, the 1902-built "Leap-the-Dips."3

04/30/05

Frankstown Road meets U.S. 220 Business (Pleasant Valley Boulevard) at PA 36 (Union Avenue) three blocks to west of Exit 32. PA 36 follows Union Street west through Downtown to 18th Street en route to Ashville. Southward PA 36 follows U.S. 220 Business to Logan Boulevard and Hollidaysburg.

Frankstown Road meets U.S. 220 Business (Pleasant Valley Boulevard) at PA 36 (Union Avenue) three blocks to west of Exit 32. PA 36 follows Union Street west through Downtown to 18th Street en route to Ashville. Southward PA 36 follows U.S. 220 Business to Logan Boulevard and Hollidaysburg.

04/30/05

U.S. 220 Business follows Plank Road south from PA 36 (Logan Boulevard) to meet I-99/U.S. 220 at Exit 31. Plank Road represents one of four routes between Altoona and U.S. 22 in the Duncansville, Hollidaysburg and Frankstown area.

U.S. 220 Business follows Plank Road south from PA 36 (Logan Boulevard) to meet I-99/U.S. 220 at Exit 31. Plank Road represents one of four routes between Altoona and U.S. 22 in the Duncansville, Hollidaysburg and Frankstown area.

04/30/05

I-99 curves west through the parclo interchange with U.S. 220 Business (Plank Road) at Exit 31. Plank Road intersects Convention Center Boulevard with connections to PA 36 (Logan Boulevard) to the south and Charlotte Lane to the north with connections to PA 764 (6th Avenue).

I-99 curves west through the parclo interchange with U.S. 220 Business (Plank Road) at Exit 31. Plank Road intersects Convention Center Boulevard with connections to PA 36 (Logan Boulevard) to the south and Charlotte Lane to the north with connections to PA 764 (6th Avenue).

04/30/05

Exit 31 partitions traffic to Altoona (north) and Hollidaysburg (south). Plank Road continues the old U.S. 220 alignment southward 2.75 miles to U.S. 22 at Duncansville.

Exit 31 partitions traffic to Altoona (north) and Hollidaysburg (south). Plank Road continues the old U.S. 220 alignment southward 2.75 miles to U.S. 22 at Duncansville.

04/30/05

A distance sign south of the Plank Road exit lists the distances to Bedford, the south end of Interstate 99, and Ebensburg, the west end of the U.S. 22 freeway leading away from Duncansville.

A distance sign south of the Plank Road exit lists the distances to Bedford, the south end of Interstate 99, and Ebensburg, the west end of the U.S. 22 freeway leading away from Duncansville.

04/30/05

I-99/U.S. 220 meets the U.S. 22 freeway between Duncansville and Ebensburg at Exit 28. U.S. 22 travels south with PA 764 from nearby to 3rd Avenue in Duncansville, where it resumes an easterly course to Hollidaysburg, Frankstown and Huntingdon. PA 764 ends at the U.S. 22 turn onto 3rd Avenue.

I-99/U.S. 220 meets the U.S. 22 freeway between Duncansville and Ebensburg at Exit 28. U.S. 22 travels south with PA 764 from nearby to 3rd Avenue in Duncansville, where it resumes an easterly course to Hollidaysburg, Frankstown and Huntingdon. PA 764 ends at the U.S. 22 turn onto 3rd Avenue.

04/30/05

U.S. 22 constitutes a freeway west from PA 764 (6th Avenue) to Gallitzin, Creeson and Ebenburg. Connections with U.S. 219 and U.S. 422 serve Johnstown and Indiana respectively.

U.S. 22 constitutes a freeway west from PA 764 (6th Avenue) to Gallitzin, Creeson and Ebenburg. Connections with U.S. 219 and U.S. 422 serve Johnstown and Indiana respectively.

04/30/05

I-99/U.S. 220 are designated the Bud Shuster Highway, a name derived from the former U.S. Representative who signed I-99's designation into law. The Altoona area congressman advocated for the construction of the freeway along U.S. 220 to improve the economic horizons of his hometown and the west central Pennsylvania region.4

I-99/U.S. 220 are designated the Bud Shuster Highway, a name derived from the former U.S. Representative who signed I-99's designation into law. The Altoona area congressman advocated for the construction of the freeway along U.S. 220 to improve the economic horizons of his hometown and the west central Pennsylvania region.4

04/30/05

PA 36/164 tie into a trumpet interchange (Exit 23) with I-99/U.S. 220 between Leamersville and East Freedom. U.S. 220 Business also departs at Exit 23 for Claysburg and Sproul.

PA 36/164 tie into a trumpet interchange (Exit 23) with I-99/U.S. 220 between Leamersville and East Freedom. U.S. 220 Business also departs at Exit 23 for Claysburg and Sproul.

04/30/05

Southbound within the exchange at Exit 23 on I-99/U.S. 220. PA 36 enters the area from Hollidaysburg via Catfish Ridge Road to the north. PA 36/164 merge for 2.25 miles southeast to Roaring Spring and PA 164 follows Johnstown Road west from U.S. 220 Business and East Freedom, 15 miles to Portage.

Southbound within the exchange at Exit 23 on I-99/U.S. 220. PA 36 enters the area from Hollidaysburg via Catfish Ridge Road to the north. PA 36/164 merge for 2.25 miles southeast to Roaring Spring and PA 164 follows Johnstown Road west from U.S. 220 Business and East Freedom, 15 miles to Portage.

04/30/05

I-99/U.S. 220 travel south along a scenic eight mile stretch between East Freedom and King, east of Claysburg.
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I-99/U.S. 220 travel south along a scenic eight mile stretch between East Freedom and King, east of Claysburg.

04/30/05

Old U.S. 220 ties into I-99/U.S. 220 at Exit 15 between the communities of King and Sproul. U.S. 220 Business travels west of I-99 through Claysburg and Sproul, returning to the freeway at the forthcoming diamond interchange. Old U.S. 220 continues south alongside I-99 to King and Osterburg (PA 869).

Old U.S. 220 ties into I-99/U.S. 220 at Exit 15 between the communities of King and Sproul. U.S. 220 Business travels west of I-99 through Claysburg and Sproul, returning to the freeway at the forthcoming diamond interchange. Old U.S. 220 continues south alongside I-99 to King and Osterburg (PA 869).

04/30/05

A diamond interchange at Exit 15 connects I-99/U.S. 220 with U.S. 220 Business / Old U.S. 220 and a local road from the east. Both routes cross into Bedford County within the next mile. King lies across the county line to the south while Sproul is a short distance to the north.

A diamond interchange at Exit 15 connects I-99/U.S. 220 with U.S. 220 Business / Old U.S. 220 and a local road from the east. Both routes cross into Bedford County within the next mile. King lies across the county line to the south while Sproul is a short distance to the north.

04/30/05

Exit 15 separates for U.S. 220 Business north to Sproul and Claysburg and Old U.S. 220 south to King. SR 2024 east links the exchange with Sproul Mountain Road to Queen and Ore Hill.

Exit 15 separates for U.S. 220 Business north to Sproul and Claysburg and Old U.S. 220 south to King. SR 2024 east links the exchange with Sproul Mountain Road to Queen and Ore Hill.

04/30/05

Bedford lies another 17 miles to the south along U.S. 220 at the junction with U.S. 30. U.S. 220 continues south from there along the Appalachian Thruway to Cumberland, Maryland, Interstate 68 and U.S. 40.

Bedford lies another 17 miles to the south along U.S. 220 at the junction with U.S. 30. U.S. 220 continues south from there along the Appalachian Thruway to Cumberland, Maryland, Interstate 68 and U.S. 40.

04/30/05

Two miles north of the diamond interchange (Exit 10) with Sarah Furnace Road on I-99/U.S. 220 southbound. Sarah Furnace Road ventures west from the freeway to Imler. Mowrys Mill Road continues west from there to PA 869 (Heritage Road) at Weyant.

Two miles north of the diamond interchange (Exit 10) with Sarah Furnace Road on I-99/U.S. 220 southbound. Sarah Furnace Road ventures west from the freeway to Imler. Mowrys Mill Road continues west from there to PA 869 (Heritage Road) at Weyant.

04/30/05

Exit 10 to Sarah Furnace Road leads to Blue Knob State Park via PA 869 (Burnt House Road) north. The park comprises 5,874 acres of woodland in northwestern Bedford County along PA 869. 12 feet of annual snowfall provides the Blue Knob Ski Resort with ample powder during the cold weather months.

Exit 10 to Sarah Furnace Road leads to Blue Knob State Park via PA 869 (Burnt House Road) north. The park comprises 5,874 acres of woodland in northwestern Bedford County along PA 869. 12 feet of annual snowfall provides the Blue Knob Ski Resort with ample powder during the cold weather months.

04/30/05

Venturing south from Exit 10 toward Saint Clairsville and PA 869 (Lumber Street).

Venturing south from Exit 10 toward Saint Clairsville and PA 869 (Lumber Street).

04/30/05

Southbound distance sign listing St. Clairsville and Bedford. Interstate 99 ends two miles north of the U.S. 220 interchange with U.S. 30 at Bedford.

Southbound distance sign listing St. Clairsville and Bedford. Interstate 99 ends two miles north of the U.S. 220 interchange with U.S. 30 at Bedford.

04/30/05

PA 869 (Lumber Street / Brumbaugh Road) arcs southward from Weyant through Osterburg and Saint Clairsville to New Enterprise. The state route converges with I-99/U.S. 220 at a diamond interchange (Exit 7) adjacent to Old U.S. 220.

PA 869 (Lumber Street / Brumbaugh Road) arcs southward from Weyant through Osterburg and Saint Clairsville to New Enterprise. The state route converges with I-99/U.S. 220 at a diamond interchange (Exit 7) adjacent to Old U.S. 220.

04/30/05

U.S. 220 Business to Bedford branches south from the diamond interchange (Exit 3) with PA 56 (Quaker Valley Road). PA 56 travels southeast from Johnstown and Pleasantville to Cessna and Wolfsburg.

U.S. 220 Business to Bedford branches south from the diamond interchange (Exit 3) with PA 56 (Quaker Valley Road). PA 56 travels southeast from Johnstown and Pleasantville to Cessna and Wolfsburg.

04/30/05

PA 56/U.S. 220 Business briefly overlap on southward routes to Wolfsburg and Bedford respectively. Johnstown lies 27 miles to the northwest of Exit 3 via PA 56.

PA 56/U.S. 220 Business briefly overlap on southward routes to Wolfsburg and Bedford respectively. Johnstown lies 27 miles to the northwest of Exit 3 via PA 56.

04/30/05

The final reassurance shield assembly for I-99/U.S. 220 southbound appears near Yount and Exit 3.

The final reassurance shield assembly for I-99/U.S. 220 southbound appears near Yount and Exit 3.

04/30/05

Interstate 99 end shield posted near Bedford. U.S. 220 continues as a freeway southward to U.S. 30 west of Bedford. U.S. 220 follows the Appalachian Thruway 28 miles southward from Bedford to I-68 near Cumberland, Maryland.

Interstate 99 end shield posted near Bedford. U.S. 220 continues as a freeway southward to U.S. 30 west of Bedford. U.S. 220 follows the Appalachian Thruway 28 miles southward from Bedford to I-68 near Cumberland, Maryland.

10/08/01

I-99/U.S. 220 passes under PA 56 (Pennsyl Hollow Road) southwest of Cessna, two miles ahead of Exit 1 for U.S. 220 Business north of Bedford.

I-99/U.S. 220 passes under PA 56 (Pennsyl Hollow Road) southwest of Cessna, two miles ahead of Exit 1 for U.S. 220 Business north of Bedford.

04/30/05

An access road (SR 8007) stems east from the trumpet interchange at Exit 1 to U.S. 220 Business (Richard Street) near Bedford County Airport (HMZ) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike at Exit 146.

An access road (SR 8007) stems east from the trumpet interchange at Exit 1 to U.S. 220 Business (Richard Street) near Bedford County Airport (HMZ) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike at Exit 146.

10/08/01

An overhead sign assembly replaced the ground level sign for Exit 1 / SR 8007 to U.S. 220 Business and I-70/76. I-70/76 overlap between Breezewood and New Stanton in southwestern Pennsylvania.

An overhead sign assembly replaced the ground level sign for Exit 1 / SR 8007 to U.S. 220 Business and I-70/76. I-70/76 overlap between Breezewood and New Stanton in southwestern Pennsylvania.

04/30/05

I-70/76 split 15 miles to the east of Bedford at Breezewood. I-70 heads south from there to Hancock, Maryland while I-76 continues east to Harrisburg. Westbound I-70/76 heads 36 miles to Somerset.

I-70/76 split 15 miles to the east of Bedford at Breezewood. I-70 heads south from there to Hancock, Maryland while I-76 continues east to Harrisburg. Westbound I-70/76 heads 36 miles to Somerset.

04/30/05

A Breezewood connection joins the south end of I-99 with the PA Turnpike (I-70/76) via U.S. 220 Business.

A Breezewood connection joins the south end of I-99 with the PA Turnpike (I-70/76) via U.S. 220 Business.

04/30/05

Traffic partitions at the Bedford Interchange beyond the toll collection point from U.S. 220 Business.

Traffic partitions at the Bedford Interchange beyond the toll collection point from U.S. 220 Business.

04/30/05

References:

  1. I-99 / S.R. 6220 Relocation Project - Section A10. http://i99.dickinfolink.com/sectiona10.asp
  2. History of Altoona. http://www.altoonapa.gov/altoona/cwp /view.asp?a=3&Q=503276&altoonaNav=| City of Altoona web site.
  3. Lakemont Park of Altoona - History. http://www.lakemontparkfun.com/doc/his.html
  4. Pennsylvania Highways: Interstate 99.

Photo Credits:

Connect with:

Interstate 70Interstate 70
Interstate 76Interstate 76
U.S. 22U.S. 22
U.S. 220U.S. 220

Page Updated Saturday January 30, 2021.