Pennsylvania Route 48
Encyclopedia
Pennsylvania Route 48 is 18.9 miles (30.4 km) long state highway
located in the Pittsburgh
, Pennsylvania
area. The route is predominantly a two-lane highway as it runs through McKeesport
and other suburb
s. The entire routing of PA 48 is part of the Orange Belt, both reaching their southern terminus at Pennsylvania Route 51
, southeast of Elizabeth
. Until 1998, the northern terminus of PA 48 was at the intersection of Old Haymaker and Center Roads, about 1/2 mile from its current terminus at U.S. Route 22 Business in Monroeville
.
in Forward Township
, heading northeast on two-lane undivided Scenery Drive. PA 48 is concurrent with the Orange Belt of the Allegheny County belt system
at this point, with which it remains concurrent with for the entire length. The route immediately turns to the north-northwest and forms the border between Forward Township to the west and Elizabeth Township
to the east, passing through a mix of fields and woods with some homes. The road fully enters Elizabeth Township and curves north-northeast. At an intersection with Weigles Hill Road, PA 48 makes a turn to the east, passing residences and turning to the northwest. The road passes through more areas of housing and woods, curving northeast as it passes more residential areas. The route makes a bend northeast prior to turning north at the Simpson Howell Road intersection and running past a mix of homes and businesses. PA 48 winds north through more areas of woodland and development, with the name becoming Boston Hollow Road at the Lovedale Road junction. Farther north, the road becomes the border between Lincoln
to the west and Elizabeth Township to the east as it heads through more forested areas with a few homes. The route fully enters Elizabeth Township again and heads into commercial areas as it comes to the community of Boston, crossing the Youghiogheny River
on the Boston Bridge
.
At this point, PA 48 heads northwest into Versailles
, passing over a CSX railroad line and becoming Walnut Street as it passes a mix of homes and businesses. The route crosses into McKeesport
and widens into a divided highway
as it comes to an intersection with PA 148
. Here, PA 148 continues along Walnut Street and PA 48 turns east onto four-lane undivided Long Run Road, passing through more residential and commercial areas. The road curves south by more businesses prior to curving east past a mix of woods and commercial development, briefly entering Versailles again before crossing back into McKeesport. The route curves north before heading northeast and entering White Oak
. Upon crossing Lincoln Way, PA 48 becomes Jacks Run Road and narrows to two lanes, entering more forested areas with occasional homes and businesses. The road continues north and heads into North Versailles Township and passes through more wooded areas of development, turning northeast and coming to an intersection with US 30
.
Past this junction, the route becomes Mosside Boulevard and runs past businesses prior to heading into forested areas. The road briefly passes through Wall
prior to crossing back into North Versailles Township and heading into commercial areas, turning northeast. The route widens into a four-lane divided highway and passes over a Norfolk Southern railroad line and Turtle Creek
, entering Monroeville
. Here, PA 48 becomes an undivided road as it comes to an intersection with PA 130
. Following this, the road narrows to two lanes and passes through woods, curving more to the north. Farther north, the route enters commercial areas, widening into a four-lane road at the Haymarker Road intersection. PA 48 turns northwest, passing more businesses and reaching its northern terminus at an intersection with US 22 Business near an interchange that has access to I-376
/US 22
and I-76
(Pennsylvania Turnpike
).
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
located in the Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
area. The route is predominantly a two-lane highway as it runs through McKeesport
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
McKeesport is a city in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in the United States; it is located at the confluence of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers and is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The population was 19,731 at the 2010 census...
and other suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
s. The entire routing of PA 48 is part of the Orange Belt, both reaching their southern terminus at Pennsylvania Route 51
Pennsylvania Route 51
Pennsylvania Route 51 is a major state highway in Western Pennsylvania. It runs for from Uniontown to the Ohio state line near Darlington, where it connects with Ohio State Route 14. Route 51 is the termination point for Pennsylvania Route 43, Pennsylvania Route 48 and Pennsylvania Route 88. ...
, southeast of Elizabeth
Elizabeth, Pennsylvania
Elizabeth is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, on the east bank of the Monongahela River, where Pennsylvania Route 51 crosses, upstream of Pittsburgh and close to the county line. The population was 1,493 at the 2010 census...
. Until 1998, the northern terminus of PA 48 was at the intersection of Old Haymaker and Center Roads, about 1/2 mile from its current terminus at U.S. Route 22 Business in Monroeville
Monroeville, Pennsylvania
Monroeville is a home rule municipality in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. Located about east of the city of Pittsburgh, Monroeville is a bustling suburb with mixed residential and commercial developments...
.
Route description
PA 48 begins at an intersection with PA 51Pennsylvania Route 51
Pennsylvania Route 51 is a major state highway in Western Pennsylvania. It runs for from Uniontown to the Ohio state line near Darlington, where it connects with Ohio State Route 14. Route 51 is the termination point for Pennsylvania Route 43, Pennsylvania Route 48 and Pennsylvania Route 88. ...
in Forward Township
Forward Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Forward Township is a township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,376 at the 2010 census. The township is named after Walter Forward, U.S...
, heading northeast on two-lane undivided Scenery Drive. PA 48 is concurrent with the Orange Belt of the Allegheny County belt system
Allegheny County belt system
The Allegheny County Belt System color codes miscellaneous county roads to form a unique system of routes in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania and around the city of Pittsburgh....
at this point, with which it remains concurrent with for the entire length. The route immediately turns to the north-northwest and forms the border between Forward Township to the west and Elizabeth Township
Elizabeth Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Elizabeth Township is a township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 13,271 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which is land and , or 1.96%, is water.-Demographics:As of the census of...
to the east, passing through a mix of fields and woods with some homes. The road fully enters Elizabeth Township and curves north-northeast. At an intersection with Weigles Hill Road, PA 48 makes a turn to the east, passing residences and turning to the northwest. The road passes through more areas of housing and woods, curving northeast as it passes more residential areas. The route makes a bend northeast prior to turning north at the Simpson Howell Road intersection and running past a mix of homes and businesses. PA 48 winds north through more areas of woodland and development, with the name becoming Boston Hollow Road at the Lovedale Road junction. Farther north, the road becomes the border between Lincoln
Lincoln, Pennsylvania
Lincoln is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,072 at the 2010 census.As of 2009, the mayor is Nick Vay.Lincoln does not have its own post office...
to the west and Elizabeth Township to the east as it heads through more forested areas with a few homes. The route fully enters Elizabeth Township again and heads into commercial areas as it comes to the community of Boston, crossing the Youghiogheny River
Youghiogheny River
The Youghiogheny River , or the Yough for short, is a tributary of the Monongahela River in the U.S. states of West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania...
on the Boston Bridge
Boston Bridge
The Boston Bridge is a structure that crosses the Youghiogheny Riverbetween Versailles and Elizabeth Township, Pennsylvania. Its name is derived not from the Massachusetts city, but rather from an eponymous neighborhood in Elizabeth Township....
.
At this point, PA 48 heads northwest into Versailles
Versailles, Pennsylvania
Versailles is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,515 at the 2010 census. Despite being named after the extraordinary Palace of Versailles, the name of the borough is almost universally pronounced ver-sales by residents of the area.-Geography:Versailles...
, passing over a CSX railroad line and becoming Walnut Street as it passes a mix of homes and businesses. The route crosses into McKeesport
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
McKeesport is a city in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in the United States; it is located at the confluence of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers and is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The population was 19,731 at the 2010 census...
and widens into a divided highway
Divided Highway
Divided Highway is a compilation album by American rock band The Doobie Brothers, released in 2003. . All tracks are taken from the albums Cycles and Brotherhood .-Track listing:...
as it comes to an intersection with PA 148
Pennsylvania Route 148
Pennsylvania Route 148 is an long, north–south state highway located in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The southern terminus is at PA 48 in Versailles...
. Here, PA 148 continues along Walnut Street and PA 48 turns east onto four-lane undivided Long Run Road, passing through more residential and commercial areas. The road curves south by more businesses prior to curving east past a mix of woods and commercial development, briefly entering Versailles again before crossing back into McKeesport. The route curves north before heading northeast and entering White Oak
White Oak, Pennsylvania
White Oak is a suburban Pittsburgh borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 7,862 at the 2010 census.The borough's motto is "Come Grow With Us."-Geography:White Oak is located at ....
. Upon crossing Lincoln Way, PA 48 becomes Jacks Run Road and narrows to two lanes, entering more forested areas with occasional homes and businesses. The road continues north and heads into North Versailles Township and passes through more wooded areas of development, turning northeast and coming to an intersection with US 30
U.S. Route 30 in Pennsylvania
In the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, U.S. Route 30 runs east–west across the southern part of the state, passing through Pittsburgh and Philadelphia on its way from the West Virginia state line east to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge over the Delaware River into New Jersey...
.
Past this junction, the route becomes Mosside Boulevard and runs past businesses prior to heading into forested areas. The road briefly passes through Wall
Wall, Pennsylvania
Wall is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 580 at the 2010 census.-History:Wall is located at the site of a farm purchased by James Walls in 1829. The property, on the south bank of Turtle Creek, was passed to James' sons Henry and John Walls, who lived...
prior to crossing back into North Versailles Township and heading into commercial areas, turning northeast. The route widens into a four-lane divided highway and passes over a Norfolk Southern railroad line and Turtle Creek
Turtle Creek (Pennsylvania)
Turtle Creek is a tributary of the Monongahela River in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. At its juncture with the Monongahela is Braddock, Pennsylvania, where the Battle of the Monongahela was fought in 1755...
, entering Monroeville
Monroeville, Pennsylvania
Monroeville is a home rule municipality in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. Located about east of the city of Pittsburgh, Monroeville is a bustling suburb with mixed residential and commercial developments...
. Here, PA 48 becomes an undivided road as it comes to an intersection with PA 130
Pennsylvania Route 130
Pennsylvania Route 130 is a long state highway located in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties in Pennsylvania. The western terminus is at PA 8 in Pittsburgh. The eastern terminus is at PA 381 near Kregar....
. Following this, the road narrows to two lanes and passes through woods, curving more to the north. Farther north, the route enters commercial areas, widening into a four-lane road at the Haymarker Road intersection. PA 48 turns northwest, passing more businesses and reaching its northern terminus at an intersection with US 22 Business near an interchange that has access to I-376
Interstate 376
Interstate 376 is a major auxiliary route of the Interstate Highway System in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, located entirely within the Allegheny Plateau. It runs from I-80 near Sharon south and east to a junction with the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Monroeville, after having crossed the Turnpike...
/US 22
U.S. Route 22 in Pennsylvania
U.S. Route 22 is an east–west route stretching from Cincinnati, Ohio in the west to Newark, New Jersey in the east. In Pennsylvania, the route runs for between the West Virginia state line at Washington County, where it is a limited-access expressway-grade route through the western suburbs...
and I-76
Interstate 76 (east)
Interstate 76 is an Interstate Highway in the United States, running 435 miles from an interchange with Interstate 71 west of Akron, Ohio, east to Interstate 295 near Camden, New Jersey....
(Pennsylvania Turnpike
Pennsylvania Turnpike
The Pennsylvania Turnpike is a toll highway system operated by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States. The three sections of the turnpike system total . The main section extends from Ohio to New Jersey and is long...
).