Existed: 1928 – present Length 15.6 km | Counties: Allegheny Constructed 1928 | |
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South end: PA 50 in South Fayette Township North end: US 22 / US 30 near Imperial-Enlow County Allegheny County, Pennsylvania | ||
Pennsylvania Route 978, also known as PA 978, is a 9.7-mile-long (15.6 km) north–south state highway located in western Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The southern terminus of the route is at Pennsylvania Route 50 in the vicinity of the Cecil area (of Washington County, although the road remains in Allegheny County) and of the Gladden area. The highway heads slightly to the northwest, and reaches the northern terminus at the intersection of US Route 22 and US Route 30 in the Imperial-Enlow area. (A few other names for US 22 and 30 here are William Penn Highway, Lincoln Highway, and Penn-Lincoln Parkway [here not part of I-376].)
Contents
Map of PA-978, Pennsylvania, USA
Route description
Pennsylvania Route 978 begins at a signalized intersection with PA 50. It heads north and crosses a railroad at an at-grade crossing. Shortly after this, Route 978 meets Action Drive and curves northeast paralleling the railroad and Millers Run. On the right is a junkyard that has spare parts for cars of all types. When it meets Battle Ridge Road, it turns north. At the turn, if you look off to the left you will see a baseball field. Also, Milers Run will be viewable, as it has come back over to this side of Route 50. After the turn, there will be a small Creek running under the road. This creek is called Dolphin Run. It continues going northwest and soon meets up with Mohawk Road. This road is for residential owners. After passing Sterling Road, you will pass through farmland. Whenever it hooks up with Robinson Run Road, the road turns due east. Shortly thereafter, it connects to a three-way intersection with Union Avenue (Orange Beltway). To continue on 978 you must make a left turn. You will see Marshall Road on your left and then a cemetery. Continuing north you will see a rapid change in the number of houses as you reach Oakdale. At the heart of Oakdale you will intersect with Noblestown Road. It will be more industrialized if you take Noblestown Road south, but continuing with 978, you will be touching houses on either side of the road. Soon you will meet Oakdale Road and you must turn. Golden Oil Company's factory was on the left and soon after you must make a short trip off of the road to get to McKee Elementary School. North Branch Road will be on your left. Once again, to stay on PA 978 you must turn. Immediately, you will pass over Willow Creek, which has been going parallel to you since Oakdale. Old North Branch Road will split off and you will soon pass a Jehovah's Witnesses Church. Turn right to get onto Bateman Road. If you were to continue going straight, then you would be driving on former Pennsylvania Route 979. Stonebridge Road will be on your left with a large number of residential houses. Continuing northwest you will encounter your last stretch of forested land. Storage supply and trucking company's property will occupy both sides of the road. Finally, you will reach the western terminus at routes US 22/US 30 in the Imperial-Enlow area, and your road will continue as westbound US 30.
History
Old Pennsylvania Route 978 was a road located in Imperial-Enlow. It existed for roughly 40 years and later was not renamed. It was commissioned in the 1930s and decommissioned in the mid 1970s. Enlow Road, now an Allegheny County maintained road, was one of the local roads that once carried PA 978. It also was one of the many roads that have disappeared with the expansion of the Pittsburgh International Airport. In Enlow, there is still is a few signs that keep the 978 designation alive. Old PA 978 begins at the Steubenville Pike south of the Robinson Town Center just outside Imperial, PA. After originally finding a plethora of houses, you will travel through over a mile of forest. Then you will pass over the Montour Trail and merge with Cliff Mine Road. You will pass Oak Moss Drve, which has numerous large houses. You will continue connecting up with more neighborhoods, and soon go through a tiny stretch of forest. It will soon connect up with six different roads. It continues straight and keeps passing through neighborhoods and splits up into two roads. You turn left and continue for three miles. Interstate 376 will be on your right. You will finish up at US Route 30. As stated above, the growth and additions to Greater Pittsburgh International Airport has altered the former alignments of PA 978. Many parts of the highway's routing from the 30s to the mid 70s have been closed off or torn up. Most of this occurred when the new Midfield Terminal was constructed and opened in the early 90s.
Major intersections
The entire route is in Allegheny County.