Pennsylvania Route 576
Encyclopedia
Pennsylvania Route 576, the Southern Beltway, is a partially completed highway
in the southern suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
, United States
. Upon completion it will serve as a southern beltway around the metro Pittsburgh area from the Pittsburgh International Airport
to the historic Steel Valley of the Monongahela River
.
The first section of the highway from Interstate 376
(former PA 60
) near Pittsburgh International Airport to U.S. Route 22 opened on October 11, 2006 at 3 p.m. Construction on two additional segments of the beltway that will link U.S. Route 22
to Interstate 79 and PA Turnpike 43 is pending. Federal approval has been given for both segments.
Although PA 576 runs north–south between I-376 and US 22, the route is signed as east–west to reflect the routing that the completed beltway will take.
Like the Mon–Fayette Expressway
, the Southern Beltway will have no direct connection to the Pennsylvania Turnpike
's mainline despite being built and maintained by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
. (Both the tolled section of Interstate 376 and the tolled section of Pennsylvania Route 66
as well as the Northeast Extension have direct connections to the Turnpike's mainline.) Both highways, however, will have indirect connections with the Turnpike's mainline via Interstate 376
.
at the entrance to Pittsburgh International Airport
. The interchange is defined as exit 1 of PA 576. Although the road is signed as east–west, it has a north–south alignment. This is because when it is complete to PA Turnpike 43, it will be more east–west.
All toll plazas are equipped with an electronic fare collection system (E-ZPass
) and for cash customers, a dual-height, automated machine for toll collection.
When the Southern Beltway is completed around Pittsburgh, it will be signed as Interstate 576. Interstate 576 will also apply to the northeastern branch of the Mon–Fayette Expressway that will extend to Monroeville
. Both the Southern Beltway and the Mon–Fayette Expressway are being built to Interstate standards just for such a designation, though the majority of the Mon–Fayette Expressway itself is not expected to get a designation.
Highway
A highway is any public road. In American English, the term is common and almost always designates major roads. In British English, the term designates any road open to the public. Any interconnected set of highways can be variously referred to as a "highway system", a "highway network", or a...
in the southern suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Upon completion it will serve as a southern beltway around the metro Pittsburgh area from the Pittsburgh International Airport
Pittsburgh International Airport
Pittsburgh International Airport , formerly Greater Pittsburgh Airport, Greater Pittsburgh International Airport and commonly referred to as Pittsburgh International, is a joint civil–military international airport located in the Pittsburgh suburb of Findlay Township, approximately west of...
to the historic Steel Valley of the Monongahela River
Monongahela River
The Monongahela River is a river on the Allegheny Plateau in north-central West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania in the United States...
.
The first section of the highway from Interstate 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...
(former PA 60
Pennsylvania Route 60
Pennsylvania Route 60 is a state highway located in the western suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Although the route follows a mostly east–west alignment, it is signed as a north–south highway. The southern terminus of the route is at a pseudo-interchange with U.S...
) near Pittsburgh International Airport to U.S. Route 22 opened on October 11, 2006 at 3 p.m. Construction on two additional segments of the beltway that will link U.S. Route 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...
to Interstate 79 and PA Turnpike 43 is pending. Federal approval has been given for both segments.
Although PA 576 runs north–south between I-376 and US 22, the route is signed as east–west to reflect the routing that the completed beltway will take.
Like the Mon–Fayette Expressway
Mon–Fayette Expressway
The Mon–Fayette Expressway is an interstate tolled freeway that is planned to eventually link Interstate 68 near Morgantown, West Virginia with two branches to Interstate 376 near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
, the Southern Beltway will have no direct connection to the 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...
's mainline despite being built and maintained by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission was created in 1937 to construct, finance, operate and maintain the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The commission consists of five members. Four members are appointed by the Governor of Pennsylvania. The fifth member is the Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation.In...
. (Both the tolled section of Interstate 376 and the tolled section of Pennsylvania Route 66
Pennsylvania Route 66
Pennsylvania Route 66 is a long state highway in Western Pennsylvania. Its northern terminus is at U.S. Route 6 in Kane. Its southern terminus is at US 119 near New Stanton. West of Greensburg, PA 66 becomes the tolled Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass, a part of the Pennsylvania Turnpike System. The...
as well as the Northeast Extension have direct connections to the Turnpike's mainline.) Both highways, however, will have indirect connections with the Turnpike's mainline via Interstate 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...
.
Route description
PA 576 begins at an interchange with Interstate 376Interstate 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...
at the entrance to Pittsburgh International Airport
Pittsburgh International Airport
Pittsburgh International Airport , formerly Greater Pittsburgh Airport, Greater Pittsburgh International Airport and commonly referred to as Pittsburgh International, is a joint civil–military international airport located in the Pittsburgh suburb of Findlay Township, approximately west of...
. The interchange is defined as exit 1 of PA 576. Although the road is signed as east–west, it has a north–south alignment. This is because when it is complete to PA Turnpike 43, it will be more east–west.
All toll plazas are equipped with an electronic fare collection system (E-ZPass
E-ZPass
E-ZPass is an electronic toll-collection system used on most tolled roads, bridges, and tunnels in the northeastern US, south to Virginia and West Virginia, and west to Illinois. Currently, there are 25 agencies spread across 14 states that make up the . All member agencies use the same technology,...
) and for cash customers, a dual-height, automated machine for toll collection.
Future
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...
. Both the Southern Beltway and the Mon–Fayette Expressway are being built to Interstate standards just for such a designation, though the majority of the Mon–Fayette Expressway itself is not expected to get a designation.
Exit list
Currently, four exits are open along PA 576.| County | Location | Mile | Exit Exit number An exit number is a number assigned to a road junction, usually an exit from a freeway. It is usually marked on the same sign as the destinations of the exit, as well as a sign in the gore.... |
Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allegheny Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Allegheny County is a county in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,223,348; making it the second most populous county in Pennsylvania, following Philadelphia County. The county seat is Pittsburgh... |
Findlay Township Findlay Township, Pennsylvania Findlay Township is a township located west of Pittsburgh in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 5,060 at the 2010 census.The township is the home of Pittsburgh International Airport.-Geography:... |
0.0 | 1A-B | Western terminus of highway. Direct entrance into Pittsburgh International Airport Pittsburgh International Airport Pittsburgh International Airport , formerly Greater Pittsburgh Airport, Greater Pittsburgh International Airport and commonly referred to as Pittsburgh International, is a joint civil–military international airport located in the Pittsburgh suburb of Findlay Township, approximately west of... |
|
| 0.4 | 2 | Toll plaza for motorists entering northbound and exiting southbound. ($0.50 fare) | |||
| 2.7 | 4 | Westport Road (formerly Santiago-Bavington) | Toll plaza for motorists entering northbound and exiting southbound. ($0.50 fare) | ||
| Washington Washington County, Pennsylvania -Government and politics:As of November 2008, there are 152,534 registered voters in Washington County .* Democratic: 89,027 * Republican: 49,025 * Other Parties: 14,482... |
Robinson Township Robinson Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania Robinson Township is a township in Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,193 at the 2000 census. It was formerly an area of interest concerning coal mining... |
4.2 | 6 | Toll plaza for motorists entering northbound and exiting southbound. ($0.50 fare). Temporary eastern terminus of highway. |