Pennsylvania Route 978
Encyclopedia
Pennsylvania Route 978, designated by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
(PennDOT) as State Route 978, is a 10.9 miles (17.5 km) long west–east state highway
located in the southeast Pennsylvania
counties of Allegheny
and Washington
. The southern terminus of the route is at Pennsylvania Route 50
(Millers Run Road) in the vicinity of the Cecil
area of Washington County
. The highways 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 of Gladden where Route 978 intersects with two other U.S. Routes. A few other names for these routes intersected is the William Penn Highway
, the Lincoln Highway
, and Penn-Lincoln Parkway.
and Reissing Road in the community of Cecil, Pennsylvania
. From there it serves as a small road through a few neighborhood houses that serve a few families.
into Allegheny County
. The route so far has run next to Millers Run on the right and a railroad on the left. Then, Route 978 weaves to its left and passes under the railroad. After one-half of a mile, it then returns to the other side of the railroad. Millers Run is no longer on the left as it has passed under Pennsylvania Route 50
. It then moves into a neighborhood.
Right after that, it meets up with Old Pennsylvania Route 50
(Parks Road). When reaching this, Route 978 veers north and meets the railroad once more with an at-grade crossing. Shortly after this, Route 978 meets Action Drive and swerves northeast. 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 drivind 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 end at routes US 22/US 30 in the Imperial-Enlow
area.
. It existed for roughly 40 years and later was not renamed. It was commissioned in the 1930's and decommissioned in the mid 1970's. 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 of 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 30's to the mid 70's have been closed off or torn up. Most of this occurred when the new Midfield Terminal was constructed and opened in the early 90's.
|-
!County
!Location
!Mile
!Road
!Notes
|-
|rowspan=1|Washington
|rowspan=3|Cecil
|0.0
|
|Eastern terminus of PA 978
|-
|rowspan=9|Allegheny
|1.2
|
Old PA 50
|Former section of PA 50
|-
|2.0
|Battleridge Road
|
|-
|rowspan=4|Oakdale
|5.1
|Robinson Run Road
|
|-
|5.5
|
Orange Belt
|Part of Allegheny County Belt system
|-
|6.5
|Noblestown Road
|
|-
|7.4
|McKee Road
|Road splits into two
|-
|rowspan=1|South Fayette
|8.7
|North Branch Road
|Former PA 979
|-
|rowspan=2|Imperial-Enlow
|10.8
|
|Eastern terminus of concurrency
|-
|10.9
|
|Western terminus of concurrency
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation oversees transportation issues in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The administrator of PennDOT is the Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation, currently Barry Schoch Presently, PennDOT supports over of state roads and highways, about 25,000...
(PennDOT) as State Route 978, is a 10.9 miles (17.5 km) long west–east state highway
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 southeast 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...
counties of 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...
and 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...
. The southern terminus of the route is at Pennsylvania Route 50
Pennsylvania Route 50
Pennsylvania Route 50 is a long state highway located in western Pennsylvania. The western terminus of the route is at Pennsylvania Route 844 in the Independence Township community of Independence less than a mile from the West Virginia state line. The eastern terminus is at Pennsylvania Route 60...
(Millers Run Road) in the vicinity of the Cecil
Cecil-Bishop, Pennsylvania
Cecil-Bishop is a census-designated place in Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,585 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Cecil-Bishop is located at ....
area of Washington County
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...
. The highways 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
Imperial-Enlow, Pennsylvania
Imperial-Enlow was a census-designated place in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, for the 2000 census. The population at the time was 3,514...
area of Gladden where Route 978 intersects with two other U.S. Routes. A few other names for these routes intersected is the William Penn Highway
William Penn Highway
The William Penn Highway was an auto trail in the United States, generally running from Pittsburgh east to New York City. It served as the eastern end of the Pikes Peak Ocean-to-Ocean Highway. The William Penn Highway Association of Pennsylvania was organized March 27, 1916 to promote a road...
, the Lincoln Highway
Lincoln Highway
The Lincoln Highway was the first road across the United States of America.Conceived and promoted by entrepreneur Carl G. Fisher, the Lincoln Highway spanned coast-to-coast from Times Square in New York City to Lincoln Park in San Francisco, originally through 13 states: New York, New Jersey,...
, and Penn-Lincoln Parkway.
Washington County
Route 978 begins at a three segment intersection with Pennsylvania Route 50Pennsylvania Route 50
Pennsylvania Route 50 is a long state highway located in western Pennsylvania. The western terminus of the route is at Pennsylvania Route 844 in the Independence Township community of Independence less than a mile from the West Virginia state line. The eastern terminus is at Pennsylvania Route 60...
and Reissing Road in the community of Cecil, Pennsylvania
Cecil-Bishop, Pennsylvania
Cecil-Bishop is a census-designated place in Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,585 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Cecil-Bishop is located at ....
. From there it serves as a small road through a few neighborhood houses that serve a few families.
Allegheny County
After going 0.3 miles, Route 978 passes from Washington CountyWashington 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...
into Allegheny County
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...
. The route so far has run next to Millers Run on the right and a railroad on the left. Then, Route 978 weaves to its left and passes under the railroad. After one-half of a mile, it then returns to the other side of the railroad. Millers Run is no longer on the left as it has passed under Pennsylvania Route 50
Pennsylvania Route 50
Pennsylvania Route 50 is a long state highway located in western Pennsylvania. The western terminus of the route is at Pennsylvania Route 844 in the Independence Township community of Independence less than a mile from the West Virginia state line. The eastern terminus is at Pennsylvania Route 60...
. It then moves into a neighborhood.
Right after that, it meets up with Old Pennsylvania Route 50
Pennsylvania Route 50
Pennsylvania Route 50 is a long state highway located in western Pennsylvania. The western terminus of the route is at Pennsylvania Route 844 in the Independence Township community of Independence less than a mile from the West Virginia state line. The eastern terminus is at Pennsylvania Route 60...
(Parks Road). When reaching this, Route 978 veers north and meets the railroad once more with an at-grade crossing. Shortly after this, Route 978 meets Action Drive and swerves northeast. 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
Oakdale, Pennsylvania
Oakdale is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,459 at the 2010 census. Its zip code is 15071.Oakdale is affectionately known as "America's Home Town"...
. 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 drivind 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 end at routes US 22/US 30 in the Imperial-Enlow
Imperial-Enlow, Pennsylvania
Imperial-Enlow was a census-designated place in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, for the 2000 census. The population at the time was 3,514...
area.
History
Old Pennsylvania Route 978 was a road located in Imperial-EnlowImperial-Enlow, Pennsylvania
Imperial-Enlow was a census-designated place in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, for the 2000 census. The population at the time was 3,514...
. It existed for roughly 40 years and later was not renamed. It was commissioned in the 1930's and decommissioned in the mid 1970's. 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 of 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
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...
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 30's to the mid 70's have been closed off or torn up. Most of this occurred when the new Midfield Terminal was constructed and opened in the early 90's.
Major intersections
{| class="wikitable"|-
!County
!Location
!Mile
!Road
!Notes
|-
|rowspan=1|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...
|rowspan=3|Cecil
Cecil-Bishop, Pennsylvania
Cecil-Bishop is a census-designated place in Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,585 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Cecil-Bishop is located at ....
|0.0
|
|Eastern terminus of PA 978
|-
|rowspan=9|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...
|1.2
|
|Former section of PA 50
|-
|2.0
|Battleridge Road
|
|-
|rowspan=4|Oakdale
Oakdale, Pennsylvania
Oakdale is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,459 at the 2010 census. Its zip code is 15071.Oakdale is affectionately known as "America's Home Town"...
|5.1
|Robinson Run Road
|
|-
|5.5
|
Orange Belt|Part of Allegheny County Belt system
|-
|6.5
|Noblestown Road
|
|-
|7.4
|McKee Road
|Road splits into two
|-
|rowspan=1|South Fayette
South Fayette Township, Pennsylvania
South Fayette Township is a township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 14,416 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
|8.7
|North Branch Road
|Former PA 979
|-
|rowspan=2|Imperial-Enlow
Imperial-Enlow, Pennsylvania
Imperial-Enlow was a census-designated place in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, for the 2000 census. The population at the time was 3,514...
|10.8
|
|Eastern terminus of concurrency
|-
|10.9
|
|Western terminus of concurrency