Interstate 99

Interstate 99 Pennsylvania

Overview

Interstate 99 is a rural freeway traveling northward through cardinal Pennsylvania from Bedford near the PA Turnpike (I- 70/76) to I-80 almost Bellefonte. Likewise known as the Appalachian Thruway and the Bud Shuster Byway, it is the outset Interstate highway to have its designation written into law (National Highway Designation Act of 1995). The designations for several other Interstates, including I-66 in Kentucky, I-86 in New York, and I-69 in Texas, were subsequently written into law.

Ultimately, I-99 will continue due north from I-eighty via U.S. 220 to Lock Haven and Williamsport, and forth U.S. 15 north to the New York country line by Lawrenceville. The brusk department of U.South. 15 leading northward to I-86 at Painted Post, NY was designated as Interstate 99 on June 27, 2014.one

Speed limits forth Interstate 99 were raised to lxx miles per hour (mph) from mile marker 34 in Blair Canton to Get out 68 in Center County, and from mile marker zero at the PA Turnpike in Bedford County to Leave 28 in Blair County. Additionally a 49 mile stretch of U.S. fifteen, from PA fourteen in Lycoming County to the New York state line, was increased to 70 mph. PennDOT announced increases on these stretches in May 2016.2

Located east of I-79 and west of I-81, I-99 falls exterior the standard numbering convention outlined for Interstate highways. Under the orderly system, odd numbered Interstates increase in number from I-5 on the Due west Declension eastward to the Atlantic seaboard. While central Pennsylvania is pretty far east, information technology is however well away from the Atlantic Body of water. Several north-due south routes, including I-81, I-83, I-87, I-89, I-91, I-93, I-95 and I-97 all lie east of Interstate 99. Congressman Bud Shuster both adamant the number for the Appalachian Motorway and was responsible for writing Interstate 99'southward designation into the 1995 National Highway Designation Act.

Interstate 80/99 Interchange

A $35 million Infrastructure for Rebuilding America Grant (INFRA) was awarded to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation toward funding structure of a high speed interchange linking I-99 with I-80 near Bellefonte on June 5, 2018. Estimated to toll around $200 million,14 the new ramp organization replaces the parclo A2 interchange at U.S. 220 and PA 26 joining the north finish of I-99 with Interstate 80.

The overall projection consists of iii sections. Underway in June 2020, initial structure builds a new local access interchange connecting I-80 with PA 26 to the east of the exchange with I-99. Completion there is anticipated for Autumn 2022. The balance of work edifice the iii-wye interchange for I-80/99 is scheduled to bid on March 3, 2022. Structure includes the realignment and expansion of PA 26 along Jacksonville Route. Work runs through December 2025.14

High Priority Corridor

Interstate 99 in fundamental Pennsylvania is role of High Priority Corridor 9: Appalachian Thruway Corridor.

Parallel U.S. Routes

Interstate 99 between Bedford and Bellefonte overlaps with U.South. 220 for its entirety, and it volition continue along U.Southward. 220 until reaching U.S. 15 at Williamsport. Interstate 99 is currently cosigned with U.S. xv in New York, and volition overlap or replace U.Southward. fifteen southward to Williamsport when it is finally signed.

Future Plans

The southern terminus of Interstate 99 in Bedford may change in the future, as the highway is part of the Appalachian Thruway/High Priority Corridor 9. Improvements are envisioned for U.Due south. 220 south to Cumberland, though expansion to Interstate standards are not presently planned.

It is also possible that Interstate 99 could continue north all the way to Rochester via I-390. Although some discussions have considered the possibility of I-83 continuing north to Rochester, it does not announced that will occur due to the large gap of Interstate-standard freeway between Harrisburg and U.S. xv.

History

The initial department of the U.S. 220 freeway opened s from Bedford Township to U.S. thirty in 1969. The remainder of the route n through Bedford and Blair Counties was built in the 1970s and 1980s.3 $138 million in upgrades to Interstate standards took place along the U.South. 220 freeway north from Bedford to Bald Eagle to 1989.4 Discussions followed in the early 1990s to extend the throughway due north 30 miles through Centre County to I-80 near Bellefonte.three Spearheaded past U.S. Rep. Bud Shuster, R-Everett, the first signs for I-99 were unveiled on Dec i, 1995 near the interchange with 17th Street in Altoona. The designation of 35 miles of U.Southward. 220 between Bedford and Altoona was included in the National Highway System Designation Act signed by President Clinton on November 28, 1995. The bill added 161,000 miles of roads into the National Highway System, which gained priority for federal funding. The law provided $118 one thousand thousand of the estimated $370 million needed at the time to complete the 30-mile I-99 corridor n from Bald Eagle through State College.four

Three sections were proposed in 1995 to consummate Interstate 99 north from Bald Eagle to the Bellefonte Bypass (Pennsylvania 26). The 17.5 mile segment from Baldheaded Eagle to U.South. 322, including a bypass of Port Matilda, was estimated to cost $365 1000000. This department stretches across Skytop Mountain to bring together the Mount Nitanny Expressway (U.South. 322 around Country College).4

The second section involved upgrading U.S. 322 between Scotia Road and Park Artery Extension, and a relocation of PA 26. Also included was a new 8 mile alignment linking U.S. 322 at Park Avenue Extension with the Bellefonte Bypass. Expansion of the four-mile Bellefonte Bypass in Bound Township represented the last section at a cost of $180 million.4

An Environmental Impact Statement for I-99 over Bald Eagle Ridge was completed by PennDOT in 1996. The blessing of TEA-21 by Congress in 1998 included a two-judgement rider by U.S. Rep. Bud Shuster that eliminated federal oversight of Interstate 99.3 Subsequent approving for Interstate 99 betwixt Bedford and Bald Eagle was approved past AASHTO"s Route Numbering Subcommittee on November 6, 1998.

Land immigration for I-99 commenced in 1999 near Bellefonte and a $39 million contract to build 1.three miles of new roadway over Bald Eagle Ridge at Skytop was awarded in 2001.three Meanwhile the eight mile link between Land College and Interstate 80 opened to motorists on November 25, 2002. Costing $200 million to build, the segment includes six interchanges.5

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  • North End – Painted Postal service, NY

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  • Cities – Bedford, Altoona, Bald Hawkeye, State College, Bellefonte

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Source: Dec 31, 2018 Interstate Route Log and Finders List

I-99 Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT)

South Central Pennsylvania - 1995
South Fundamental Pennsylvania – 1995 Official Pennsylvania Highway Map

Interstate 99 debuted on the 1995 Official Pennsylvania Highway map from the trumpet interchange with the U.S. 220 Business admission road in Bedford to PA 350 at Baldheaded Eagle.

I-99 corridor sign - Mansfield, PA

Three Hereafter Interstate 99 corridor signs were posted along U.S. xv northbound between Williamsport and the New York state line, including this assembly at the north end of the Mansfield Bypass. U.S. 15 Business merges onto U.S. 15 northbound ahead. 05/07/05

Construction of the route west of Country College, known every bit the "Skytop" section, was hampered with delays due to environmental concerns associated with acid rock–sandstone laced with pyrite. Without measures in place to prevent contamination of streams and ground water, crews in 2003 unearthed a meg cubic years of the pyrite-laced sandstone, which when exposed to air and water creates sulfuric acid. $82.7 million in work ensued in 2004 to comprise the runoff and clean up the site. This delayed work from an predictable 2006 completion date.3

Following years of delays, the 14-mile link between Bald Eagle and Patton Township opened on December 17, 2007, with the exception of the one.4-mile section at the acid-rock drainage cleanup site on Skytop Mount.half dozen

The section between Skytop and State College was finally completed on November 17, 2008, when 8 miles of the state highway southbound opened. Total costs for I-99 totaled $702 million. This left the work on the planned high speed interchange joining Interstates 80 and 90. Projected to toll $146 million in 2008, redesign of the exchange was undertaken to avoid excavating too much pyrite.3

The remainder of Interstate 99 in Pennsylvania is a hereafter road with signs proclaiming its extension along U.South. 220 to Lock Haven and Williamsport, then north along U.Due south. fifteen to the state line at Lawrenceville.

Several decades of structure upgraded U.S. 15 between Williamsport and Painted Mail to express access standards. A new superhighway for U.S. 15, from Tioga, Pennsylvania due north to Lindley, New York, opened after a ribbon cutting ceremony held on Oct i, 2008. The seven mile segment toll $118.7 1000000.7 See photos of the roadway on John Walter's site.

Interstate 99 in New York

Inside Steuben County and the village of Painted Posted, New York, construction to upgrade the substitution between the Southern Tier Motorway and U.S. 15 (Interstate 99) started in Nov 2003. The start stage of work involved a $41 one thousand thousand project to bring U.S. 15 upwardly to Interstate standards and to add a diamond interchange with NY 417 (Addison Route / Hamilton Street). The 2d phase, costing $11 million, rebuilt a two-mile stretch of I-86 by the n terminate of U.S. xv.viii

The concluding stage of the Painted Post Interchange projection added flyovers for the eventual U.S. 15 freeway leading s to Presho and reconstructed Hamilton Street and Robert Dann Bulldoze. The $70 one thousand thousand project commenced in spring 2005 and was scheduled for a fall 2007 completion.9 Delays pushed work to a ribbon cutting ceremony held on the morn of August xiii, 2008. Total costs for the three-stage projection topped out at $141 meg.10

Route construction on the final five mile portion, north from Watson Creek Road at Lindley to Presho, began in Baronial 2012. Taking place as $46 million in ground work wrapped upwards, the $31 million projection included building six bridges.8 Completion took identify on Oct 8, 2013. Total costs to build Interstate 99 in New York were $238 1000000.11

I-86/NY 17 east at I-99/US 15 - Painted Post

An auxiliary lane accompanies I-86/NY 17 east from NY 415 (Exit 43) to the interchange complex (Exits 44A/B) with I-99/U.South. 15 south and NY 417 (Hamilton Street) w. 01/18/17

I-86/NY 17 east at I-99/US 15 - Painted Post

Go out 44 expands to 2 lanes as it separates from the I-86 eastbound mainline. A 2 lane flyover shuttles motorists onto I-99 south to Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania while a single lane ramp lowers to Hamilton Street at the village of Painted Post. 01/18/17

I-86/NY 17 east at I-99/US 15 - Painted Post

I-99/U.Southward. 15 overlap south by Presho and Lindley to the Pennsylvania state line. U.S. xv extends due south from at that place as a freeway to Mansfield and I-180 at Williamsport. NY 417 is the pre-freeway alignment of NY 17 between Olean and Gang Mills in southern Allegany and Steuben Counties. 01/18/17

Due south Finish – NY Section –US 15 – Pennsylvania state at Lawrenceville

I-99 US 15 Southward

I-99/US 15 south at Pennsylvania line

Interstate 99 concludes southbound forth U.S. xv at the state line by Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania. 01/18/17

I-99 North Stop Throwback

US 15 north at I-86/NY 17 - 2002

Traveling north along the original U.S. 15 freeway to I-86/NY 17 at Painted Mail service. A diamond interchange joined the two freeways at the time. Photo by Douglas Kerr (ten/05/02).

US 15 north at I-86/NY 17 - 2005

A trumpet interchange joined U.South. 15 with adjacent NY 417 just s of the ramps for I-86/NY 17 (Southern Tier Expressway). This exit was reconfigured into a wye interchange during the second stage of the Painted Post Interchange project. 05/07/05

US 15 north at I-86/NY 17 - 2005

Traffic departed from the catastrophe U.Southward. xv north for Interstate 86/NY 17 east to Corning and Elmira. Ahead was a left turn for I-86/NY 17 west and NY 15 north at a signalized intersection. 05/07/05

US 15 north at I-86/NY 17 - 2005

Hamilton Street (NY 415) extended northward from the superhighway end into the village of Painted Post. The diamond interchange with the Southern Tier Expressway here replaced a circle-interchange congenital in the late 1950s. That pattern was replaced in 1987.13 05/07/05

I-86/NY 17 west at US 15 - 2005

Push button copy guide sign posted ahead of Exit 44 for U.S. 15 south and NY 417 west during the Painted Mail Interchange project. U.Southward. 15 was previously upgraded to a freeway between NY 17 and Presho. 07/01/05

I-86/NY 17 west at US 15 - 2005

Westbound Interstate 86/NY 17 combined with NY fifteen north from Go out 44 as U.Southward. xv s began. NY 15 was designated along the sometime U.Due south. fifteen route between Painted Mail and Rochester in 1974. 07/01/05

I-86/NY 17 west at US 15 - 2002

A signalized turn took motorists from NY 17 (Southern Tier Expressway) west onto U.S. 15 south at Painted Post prior to the multi yr projection to build the directional T interchange for the eventual I-99. Photograph by Bryan Farr (04/xv/02).

I-99/US 220/PA 26 north at I-80 - Spring Twp

I-99/U.S. 220 travel from the Mountain Nittany Throughway (U.S. 322) at State College to Interstate 80 northeast of Bellefonte. The freeway transitions into an at-class expressway at Musser Lane, 0.four miles alee of the eastbound on-ramp for I-eighty. These overheads were replaced by 2015 and the physical roadway was covered with cobblestone. 04/30/05

I-99/US 220/PA 26 north at I-80 - Spring Twp

Jacksonville Road (old PA 26) ties into I-99/U.Southward. 220 at an intersection preceding the parclo A2 interchange with I-fourscore. This set of signs, yet referencing the former U.S. 220 Alternate route along I-80 west to Milesburg, was after removed. 04/thirty/05

I-99/US 220/PA 26 north at I-80 - Spring Twp

U.S. 220 north accompanies I-80 east for 17 miles. U.S. 220 Alt s to Milesburg and Unionville was decommissioned with the completion of Interstate 99 at Port Matilda. 04/30/05

I-99/US 220/PA 26 north at I-80 - Spring Twp

PA 26 (Jacksonville Route) north reduces to two lanes ahead of the I-lxxx overpasses and westbound archway ramp to Dubois. 04/xxx/05

I-99/US 220/PA 26 north at I-80 - Spring Twp

Interstate 80 gain west from I-99 to DuBois, Clarion, Sharon and Youngstown, Ohio. PA 26 continues northeast to Jacksonville and Howard. 04/30/05

I-99/US 220 north at PA 350 - Bald Eagle

An end shield preceded a wye interchange taking U.Due south. 220 back onto its old alignment from I-99 at Bald Hawkeye. Photo past Oscar Voss (07/99).

PA 350 north at I-99/US 220 - Bald Eagle

PA 350 (7 Stars Road) westbound combined with U.S. 220 at a T-intersection just north of the temporary pike finish of I-99. Photo by Tim Reichard (04/07/02).

PA 350 north at I-99/US 220 - Bald Eagle

PA 350 combined with U.Southward. 220 northward to U.S. 220 Business organization (Eagle Valley Road) at nearby Bad Hawkeye while U.S. 220 south combined with I-99 to Tyrone and Altoona. The temporary freeway end is now an access road linking Baldheaded Eagle with I-99 via a diamond interchange (Go out 52). Photo past Tim Reichard (04/07/02).

PA 350 south at I-99/US 220 - Bald Eagle

U.South. 220 turned south from Eagle Valley Route to overlap with PA 350 to the I-99 admission road across 7 Stars Route. PA 350 notwithstanding turns east here toward Warriors Marker and 7 Stars. 04/30/05

PA 350 south at I-99/US 220 - Bald Eagle

U.S. 220 extended south from 7 Stars Road to a temporary wye interchange at the southbound first of Interstate 99. The interchange was reconfigured into a diamond to provide access from PA 350 and Baldheaded Hawkeye for I-99 north to State College. 04/30/05

I-99/US 220 south at US 220 Business - Bedford Twp, PA

Interstate 99/U.Southward. 220 proceeds south from a diamond interchange (Get out iii) with PA 56 at Cessna toward Exit 1 for the Pennsylvania Turnpike. 04/xxx/05

I-99/US 220 south at US 220 Business - Bedford Twp, PA

An end shield for I-99 stands ahead of the trumpet interchange (Exit 1) with the access road linking U.S. 220 with U.S. 220 Concern. The U.Due south. 220 thruway extends another three miles to Bedford. The United states highway reaches the Maryland Land line in 27 miles. Photo by Oscar Voss (07/99).

I-99/US 220 south at US 220 Business - Bedford Twp, PA

Similar to Breezewood, the connection betwixt Interstate 99 and the PA Turnpike leads motorists past several gas stations and fast nutrient restaurants through Bedford Township. 04/30/05

I-99/US 220 south at US 220 Business - Bedford Twp, PA

U.S. 220 Business organisation extends 3.1 miles north to end at Interstate 99 along side PA 56 at Cessna and south 0.3 miles to the Pennsylvania Turnpike ramps at Exit 146. 04/30/05

US 220 Business south at I-70/76 - Bedford Twp, PA

I-70 and I-76 split 17 miles to the east, while the Steel City of Pittsburgh is 100 miles to the west via the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-376. Downtown Bedford lies 2.half dozen miles ahead on U.Due south. 220 Business organization south. 04/30/05

US 220 Northward at I-99

US 220 north at US 30 - Bedford, PA

U.Southward. 220 expands to a 4 lane freeway forth the westward side of Bedford. Back to back interchanges join the US route with Pitt Street and U.Due south. 30. Interstate 99 begins in 2.five miles. 06/08/12

US 220 north at US 30 - Bedford, PA

U.Due south. 220 expands to a four lane freeway forth the w side of Bedford. Back to back interchanges join the US route with Pitt Street and U.S. 30. Interstate 99 begins in 2.5 miles. 06/08/12

US 220 north at I-99 - Bedford Twp, PA

Exit 1 connects I-99/U.S. 220 with an access road linking with U.S. 220 Business and the Bedford Interchange forth the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-seventy/76). I-99/U.Southward. 220 travel 32 miles north to Altoona. 06/08/12

US 220 north at I-99 - Bedford Twp, PA

The outset confirming marker for Interstate 99 north stands within the trumpet interchange with the admission route to U.South. 220 Business concern. 06/08/12

I-70-76/PA Tpk east at I-99/US 220 - Napler

I-lxx/76 parallel U.Southward. thirty closely on the two mile arroyo to Exit 146 with U.Southward. 220 Business in Bedford Township. Photograph by Chris and Amber Lokken (06/24/08).

I-70-76/PA Tpk east at I-99/US 220 - Bedford Twp

Passing north of Wolfsburg, the Pennsylvania Turnpike continues to inside one mile of the trumpet interchange (Go out 146) for Bedford. I-99 and U.Due south. 220 combine north to Altoona, Bald Eagle and State College. Photo past Chris and Amber Lokken (06/24/08).

I-70-76/PA Tpk east at I-99/US 220 - Bedford Twp

Leave 146 departs following the Bugle Road and U.S. 220 freeway overpasses for U.South. 220 Business concern. U.S. 220 Business leads motorists n 0.iii miles to an access route linking with I-99 north to Altoona and U.S. 220 south to Cumberland, Maryland. A similar surface route connection links the PA Turnpike with I-81 at Carlisle. Photograph by Chris and Amber Lokken (06/24/08).

I-70-76/PA Tpk west at I-99/US 220 - Bedford Twp

The Pennsylvania Turnpike angles northwest from The Narrows across Evitts Mountain to meet U.Southward. 220 Concern at Leave 146. I-99/U.S. 220 travel northeast to State College. 10/15/04

I-70-76/PA Tpk west at I-99/US 220 - Bedford Twp

U.S. 220 Business organization travels north from the civic of Bedford to meet the Pennsylvania Turnpike in ane mile. The arterial road connects I-70/76 with I-99 via an next access road. The connexion requires navigating through two signalized intersections. 10/15/04

I-70-76/PA Tpk west at I-99/US 220 - Bedford Twp

Inbound the trumpet interchange (Exit 146) with U.S. 220 Business on I-70/76 westbound. U.S. 220 Business parallels I-99/U.S. 220 northward to Cessna. U.S. 220 continues southward from the end of I-99 another seven miles to Cumberland Valley. x/15/04

I-99 South Terminate Throwback

I-70-76/PA Tpk at I-99/US 220 - Bedford Twp

The signalized cease of the Leave 146 access road for U.S. 220 Business. According to William F. Yurasko, a button copy sign including an I-99 shield was previously posted at this location. 10/08/01

US 220 Business north at I-99/US 220 - Bedford Twp, PA

Approaching the access route connecting U.S. 220 Business with Interstate 99 and U.S. 220. Overhead signs were added here by 2008. 10/08/01

US 220 Business at I-99/US 220 - 2001

Replaced by 2005, traffic partitioned into ramps for I-99/U.South. 220 north to Land College and U.S. 220 southward to Cumberland across this fix of push button copy overheads. ten/08/01

Sources:

  1. "Steuben County stretch of Route xv designated as Interstate 99." The Leader (Corning, NY), June 27, 2014.
  2. "Infrastructure – Speed limit extension announced." Wayne Independent, The (Honesdale, PA) May vii, 2016.
  3. "Long-awaited Interstate 99 Finished – Road was Long, Rocky and with Stops for Management." Centre Daily Times (State College, PA), Nov 23, 2008.
  4. "Map Makers Must Draw in New I-99." Centre Daily Times (Country College, PA), December 1, 1995.
  5. "Drivers Hit Onramps of New I-99." Middle Daily Times (State College, PA), Nov 26, 2002.
  6. "I-99 Link Opens – Connectedness to Skytop Complete after Years of Setbacks." Centre Daily Times (State College, PA), December xviii, 2007.
  7. "Piece of work complete on U.S. 15 section." Leader, The (Corning, NY), October 2, 2008.
  8. "Final phase of U.S. fifteen upgrade underway – I-99 Conversion." Leader, The (Corning, NY), August 21, 2012.
  9. "I-86, Rt. fifteen interchange under way." Leader, The (Corning, NY), January 7, 2004.
  10. "Interchange project prepares for final phase." Leader, The (Corning, NY), October 22, 2004.
  11. "Interchange complete." Leader, The (Corning, NY), Baronial 14, 2008.
  12. "Route xv open for business 10-yr futurity I-99 project hits terminate line in Lindley – 10-year time to come I-99 project hits finish line in Lindley." Leader, The (Corning, NY), October ix, 2013.
  13. Interstate 86 / Road 15 Interchange Website – Project History, http://www.dot.state.ny.united states/reg/r6/i86_project/i86projhistory.html NYSDOT.
  14. "PennDOT Details New Local Access Tied to I-80/I-99 Interchange Project." Middle County Gazette (State College, PA), March 1, 2019.

Page updated July seven, 2021.