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Pennsylvania's New US Highways?

For all of you fans of the numbering of I-99, how about some strange signs for "US 981," "US 156" and "US 819." It seems someone was goofing around at the sign shop.
 I have confirmed through sources at PennDOT's District 12 that this really isn't a US highway. The signs were wrong, but were posted anyway.

 And here I am, asking questions, doing my civic duty...

US 981?

MAP - SIGN PIX

 Near Avonmore, Westmoreland County, PA, 1.95 mile section of two-lane roadway has been built with wider asphalt lanes, shoulders nearly as wide as the travel lanes, and shallow sloped embankments. It bypasses an earlier route which passes through the town of Salina, PA. It is signed with US shield signs indicating it is "US 981."

 PA 981 runs from an intersection with PA 819 near Mt. Pleasant in southern Westmoreland County northward to PA 156 near Avonmore in northern of Westmoreland County. Maps and other official documents show PA 981 stops at this intersection, never meeting PA 819 again just past Salina. The new section of 981 continues from the intersection of PA 981 and PA 156 to meet PA 819. 

The date on the reverse of the new US route markers is May 14, 1998. The Pennsylvania route markers are dated August 22, 1994.

 US 81 runs through Kansas on its way from North Dakota to Texas. I notice that US 81 is multiplexed with I-135 through Salina, KS. Maybe that's how they justified the US 981 designation as it bypasses Salina, PA (grin).

 Because of I-81, I don't believe there is a PA 81. If there is, it's not near US 981 or PA 981. 

Other PA x81 roadways nearby include: 

  • PA 281 (US 30 between Ligonier and Laughlintown to PA-WV border WV 26 near Markleysburg, PA), 
  • PA 381 (US 30 near Stoystown to PA-WV border near Bruceton Mills, WV) 

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Also, PA 982 roughly parallels the southern part of PA 981 from near Connellsville to Latrobe. 

US 156 in PA?

Near the intersection with US 981, PA 156 has been re-signed heading north into Avonmore. At the junction, US shield signs indicate it is "US 156." Driving father north on 156, the signs have not been changed from the Pennsylvania keystone. Someone made a mistake at the sign shop, but they installed the incorrect signs anyway.

 PA 156 runs from the intersection near Avonmore northeastward to US 422 at Shelocta.

 PA 56 runs southeastward from near New Kensington to Bedford. PA 156 intersects PA 56 at Shady Plain, Armstrong County. 

Other x56 roadways connecting to PA 156 include: 

  • PA 356 (US 422 near Butler to PA 66 near Oklahoma, PA) 
  • PA 756 (PA 403 near Ferndale to PA 160 at Elton, in the Johnstown vicinity)

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PA 156 follows the common number scheme of connecting to it 2-digit parent. However, as a US route, it obviously makes no sense. US 56 runs from Missouri to New Mexico. And the other existing US 156 is in Kansas. 

US 819?

Near the intersection with "US 981," there are signs for "US 819." As happened with "US 156" above, someone made a mistake, but installed the incorrect signs anyway.

 PA 819 is still signed with Pennsylvania keystones, except in this location.

 PA 819 runs southward from an intersection with PA 66 near Apollo, crosses US 119 near Scottdale, and ends at PA 201 in Vanderbilt.

 Other x19 roadways nearby include: 

  • US 19 (from Erie to PA-WV border)
  • US 119 (From US 219 near Du Bois to PA-WV border)
  • US 219 (From PA-NY border to PA-MD border)
According to other US Highway web pages, such as James Sterbenz, there is no other US 819.

Back to main page with more highway info.

updated 06-04-01 - Bruce Cridlebaugh/William Lawson