Pennsylvania Route 405

PA Route 405
Major Highways in the Williamsport are with PA 405 in red.
Route information
Maintained by PennDOT
Length:	28.05 mi[1] (45.14 km)
Existed:	1941 – present
Major junctions
South end:	PA 147 near Milton
	I-180 in Muncy
North end:	US 220 in Hughesville
Location
Counties:	Lycoming, Northumberland
Highway system
Roads in Pennsylvania Interstate • US • State • Legislative ← PA 404 PA 407 →

Pennsylvania Route 405 (designated by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation as SR 0405) is a state highway that runs for 28.05 miles (45.14 km) in north central Pennsylvania, United States. The southern terminus of Pennsylvania Route 147 in West Chillisquaque Township. The route heads northward along the West Branch Susquehanna River through Milton, Watsontown and Muncy until entering Hughesville, where it terminates at an intersection with U.S. Route 220.

Route 405 originated as the Muncy and Hughesville Plank Road, a 5-mile (8.0 km) plank road from Muncy to Hughesville, created in 1853. The plank road also consisted of a bridge over the Muncy Canal on the outskirts of the community. Route 405 was assigned in 1941, after switching between numerous designations, including alignments of U.S. Route 15, U.S. Route 111, U.S. Route 220, and U.S. Route 711. The alignment of Route 405 was extended to its current southern terminus when Route 147 was realigned onto a new highway. As part of the Central Susquehanna Valley Transportation Project, PA 405 will continue south from its current southern terminus, replacing the stretch of PA 147 until its junction with PA 61 in Sunbury, its new southern terminus. PA 147 will have an alternate route between those two junctions and will not be duplexed with PA 405 at any point.

History

The Fence Drive-In, a landmark along Route 405

Old roads

The short alignment of Route 405 from Muncy to Hughesville contains the most of the highway's history. The bridge over the West Branch of the Susquehanna River was originally privately maintained, with the charter for its construction coming down from the Pennsylvania State Legislature on March 13, 1835.^[2] The charter designated the company that owned the bridge as the Susquehanna Bridge Company at Walton's Landing (now Muncy) and the state appointed eleven commissioners to help erect the toll bridge.^[3] In 1853, a portion of land from the Susquehanna River West Branch (which was a canal at the time) was chartered to become a canal. The canal was constructed in 1848 by a privately-maintained company for $3,000 (1848 USD). The bridge over the canal that currently uses Route 405 was constructed in 1854 at a cost of $27,000 (1854 USD), nine times the amount to construct the canal. The portion of Route 405 from Muncy to Hughesville was also chartered in 1853, consisting of a plank road between the two towns.^[4]

Designation

U.S. Route 711 was signed on a small piece of Route 405 from 1926 to 1928

On May 31, 1911, the state of Pennsylvania signed the Sproul Road Bill, which started a drastic state takeover of highways. Originally, only several routes were assigned around the state. The stretch of Route 405 from the southern terminus to the current day intersection with Pennsylvania Route 44 was designated as Legislative Route 18. The portion of Route 405 along the Route 44 concurrency to Delwart was designated as Legislative Route 240 (most of this alignment is Route 44). The stretch from Delwart to Montgomery was not designated in 1911. From Montgomery to Muncy, Route 405 follows more of Legislative Route 240. After Muncy, Route 405 follows Legislative Route 19 until the current terminus in Hughesville.^[5]

When the switch was made in 1924 from the old highway system in Pennsylvania, the alignment of Route 405 was designated as Pennsylvania Legislative Route 4 from the community of Chillisquaque to the intersection with the Susquehanna Trail. Route 4 was designated in 1925 along the main alignment of the Susquehanna Trail.^[6][7] The route designation remained in place for a short time. The stretch from Muncy to Hughesville (which followed the alignment of the Penn's Plank Road), was designated in 1926 as an alignment of U.S. Route 220.^[8] The portion of Route 4 from Chillisquaque to the Susquehanna trail was also designated as U.S. Route 111 and U.S. Route 711, both decommissioned spurs of U.S. Route 11 in 1926. Route 111 remained in place until 1936, while Route 711 and Route 4 were decommissioned in 1928^[9] and 1930 respectively.^[10] In 1928, the segment of Route 4 from Watsontown to Muncy was re-designated as Pennsylvania Route 14.^[9] In 1936, U.S. Route 111 was decommissioned, and the route from Chillisquaque to Watsontown was redesignated as part of U.S. Route 15.^[11] PA 14, US 220 and US 15 remained on most of Route 405's alignment until 1941, when the alignment of all three routes were changed.^[12] Upon the decommissioning, Route 405 was designated onto the alignment from the Susquehanna Trail (where it intersected with Route 147) to Hughesville.^[13] The alignment of Route 405 south of the Susquehanna Trail was part of Route 147^[14] until 1972, when it was realigned, and Route 405 was extended to Chillisquaque.^[15]

Involvement with Route 147

Route 405 currently has its southern terminus at Route 147 in the community of Chillisquaque. Near that intersection, Route 147 turns into a super-2 freeway towards Williamsport. The Central Susquehanna Transportation Project is proposing to extend the super-two freeway alignment of PA 147 on a new freeway along the opposite side of the Susquehanna. The designation of Route 405 is proposed to be extended over the non-freeway alignment of Route 147 down to an intersection with Pennsylvania Route 61 in Sunbury. An interchange with Route 405 would also be constructed.^[16] The 12 miles (19 km) long project will also involve a realignment of U.S. Route 11 and U.S. Route 15 onto the new alignment as well, a proposal that lost funding in the 1970s.^[17] As of July 2009, the design is 40% completed, while the project was put on a freeze by Governor Edward Rendell. The project, which will take $9 million (2009 USD) to study and design, and another $525 million (2009 USD) to construct.^[18]

Route description

Route 147 to Watsontown

The stretch of Route 405 and Route 44 through Watsontown

Route 405 begins at an intersection with Pennsylvania Route 147 in Chillisquaque. The route heads to the northwest, heading along a parallel to Route 147 near rural farms and houses. The route reaches the center of Chillisquaque, where it turns westward for a distance through an isolated area along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. The route meets the shoreline, where Route 405 turns to the northwest along a rural, unpopulated stretch of West Chillisquaque Township. The route heads northward, crossing through a deep patch of forests. A short distance later, the forests dissipate, and Route 405 intersects with Pennsylvania Route 45 (the Purple Heart Highway) just across the river from Lewisburg. Route 405 continues northward along the Susquehanna River, intersecting with a former alignment of Route 45 a short distance later. The route continues through the rural farmland along the river, entering the small community of East Lewisburg. North of East Lewisburg, Route 405 passes a large farmland plot before leaving the shoreline of the Susquehanna West Branch. The route continues northward a short distance from the Susquehanna River before entering the community of Milton. ^[1]

In Milton, Route 405 crosses over a set of railroad tracks and turns onto Ferry Lane. The route heads eastward until turning northward onto Garfield Street, heading past homes and businesses and intersecting with Pennsylvania Route 642 (Mahoning Street). The route continues northward onto South Arch Street, intersecting with Center Street, where it turns northward. At the end of the block, Route 405 intersects with Pennsylvania Route 254 (Broadway Road). The highway continues northward, intersecting with local streets and paralleling railroad tracks. At the intersection with 10th Street, Route 405 turns to the northwest and leaves the community of Milton. The route returns to the shoreline of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, continuing northward along the Turbot Hills Golf Course. The route continues northward, intersecting with Golf Course Road, where the route becomes surrounded by forests. A short distance later, Route 405 crosses under the four lane alignment of Interstate 80 and intersects an old alignment of the Susquehanna Trail. The route continues northward along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, passing a large industrial complex before reaching a merge in the railroad tracks. At the merge, Route 405 enters the community of Watsontown.^[1]

Watsontown to Hughesville

Route 405 heading through the community of Muncy

After entering Watsontown, Route 405 passes the local memorial park and intersects with Pennsylvania Route 44 (South Main Street). Route 405 and Route 44 become concurrent along Main Street into downtown Watsontown. The two highways continue several blocks from the Susquehanna River, intersecting with Brimmer Avenue. The surroundings of the highways are highly populated, and the two routes continue in Watsontown until an intersection with East 11th Street, when the two roads leave the community. Routes 405 and 44 continue northward, intersecting with local roads in a rural region north of Watsontown. The highways continue, entering the community of Dewart, where Route 44 turns to the west towards the Susquehanna West Branch. Route 405 continues northward, bypassing around Dewart and crossing the railroad tracks it had been paralleling for the distance. The route continues northward, leaving Dewart at an intersection with Delaware Drive. The route heads northward, crossing through the rural areas before intersecting with Pennsylvania Route 54, where they merge. Routes 405 and 54 continue through a deep patch of forests before crossing the river, entering the community of Montgomery.^[1]

PA 405 at the intersection with the western terminus of PA 118 in Hughesville

In Montgomery, Routes 405 and 54 continue for a short distance along Second Street, until Montgomery Street, where Route 405 turns to the northeast, while Route 54 turns to the northwest. Route 405 continues along Montgomery Street, passing through downtown. At an intersection with School House Road, the highway leaves Montgomery. Route 405 continues to the northeast along a set of railroad tracks and at an intersection with Saegers Station Road, enters the community of Saegers. At a merge with Private 158 Road, Route 405 turns to the north, passing the small community to the north. At an intersection with Armstrong Road, the highway turns to the northeast, leaving Saegers. The route continues to the east, crossing over the West Branch once again, entering the community of Muncy. In Muncy, the highway heads to the southeast along Water Street into the community center, where it turns to the northeast. The route leaves Muncy a short distance later, interchanging with Interstate 180 Exit 13. Route 405 heads to the northeast until reaching Muncy Creek, where it turns to the southeast, intersecting with the western terminus of Pennsylvania Route 442. Route 405 continues farther, intersecting with local roads, running along South Main Street for a distance, entering the community of Hughesville, where the highway becomes densely populated. The route heads northward, intersecting with the western terminus of Pennsylvania Route 118. The route continues northward for a short distance, with the Route 405 designation terminating at an intersection with U.S. Route 220.^[1]

Major intersections

County	Location	Mile[19]	Destinations	Notes
Northumberland	West Chillisquaque Township	0.00	PA 147 (Susquehanna Trail)	Interchange, southern terminus
		2.74	PA 45 (Purple Heart Highway)
	Milton	6.44	PA 642 (Mahoning Street)
		6.79	PA 254 (Broadway Street)	Western terminus of PA 254
	Watsontown	11.02	PA 44 south (Main Street)	Southern terminus of concurrency
	Delaware Township	13.31	PA 44 north (Bridge Street)	Northern terminus of concurrency
		16.77	PA 54 east	Southern terminus of concurrency
Lycoming	Montgomery	17.86	PA 54 west (Montgomery Street)	Northern terminus of concurrency
	Muncy	24.14	I-180	Exit 13 (I-180)
	Muncy Creek Township	24.89	PA 442	Western terminus of PA 442
	Hughesville	27.70	PA 118 (Water Street)	Western terminus of PA 118
		28.05	US 220	Northern terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

• List of State Routes in Pennsylvania
• West Branch of the Susquehanna River

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} Yahoo! Inc. Yahoo! Maps – Overview map of Pennsylvania Route 405 (Map). Cartography by NAVTEQ. http://maps.yahoo.com/#mvt=m&lat=41.245711&lon=-76.727448&zoom=16&q1=40.936602,-76.850572&w0=&q2=40.989361,-76.867867&w1=&q3=41.054861,-76.853619&w2=&q4=41.157077,-76.873188&w3=41.20968756417983,-76.77379131317139&q5=41.220667,-76.745687&q6=41.245195,-76.720539. Retrieved August 6, 2009. 
2. ^ Beitel, Calvin Gustavus (1874). A digest of titles of corporations chartered by the legislature of Pennsylvania, between the years 1700 and 1873 inclusive: giving the dates of acts of incorporation, with the several supplements thereto, with a reference to the pages of the pamphlet laws, where they may be found (2 ed.). J. Cambbell & Son. pp. 151. http://books.google.com/books?id=Zr0ZAAAAYAAJ&dq=Gulph%20Plank%20Road&client=firefox-a&pg=PA151. Retrieved August 6, 2009. 
3. ^ "An act to incorporate a company to erect a toll bridge over the West Branch of the river Susquehanna at Walton's landing.". Pennsylvania State Legislature. March 13, 1835. http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/1pa/xmisc/1835laws.txt. Retrieved August 6, 2009. 
4. ^ Meginness, John Franklin (1857). Otzinachson. John Meginness. pp. 423. http://books.google.com/books?id=GCNQ5Ey-3KcC&pg=PA423&lpg=PA423&dq=Muncy+and+Hughesville+Plank+Road&source=bl&ots=UUn7HzEg0j&sig=LkTkhG-P6dtSRqEzXwBL_0AQTns&hl=en&ei=2xh7SsTOKJGsNq3VxdkC&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false. Retrieved August 6, 2009. 
5. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Highways (1911) (PDF). Map of State Roads (Map). ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/pdf/BPR_pdf_files/Maps/Statewide/Historic_OTMs/1911.pdf. Retrieved July 24, 2009. 
6. ^ "U.S. Route 22 - The William Penn Highway". United States Department of Transportation. 2009. http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/us22.cfm. Retrieved July 24, 2009. 
7. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Highways (1925). Map Showing Pennsylvania State Highway Routes (Map). Cartography by Pennsylvania Department of Highways. 
8. ^ United States Department of Transportation (1926). Overview map of all proposed U.S. Routes (Map). Cartography by United States Department of Transportation. http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/hqdiv/p-r-div/maps/misc-maps/1926us.pdf. Retrieved July 24, 2009. 
9. ^ ^{a b} Pennsylvania Department of Highways (1928). Map Showing Pennsylvania State Highways (Map). 
10. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Highways (1930). Tourist Map of Pennsylvania State Highways (Map). Cartography by Pennsylvania Department of Highways. 
11. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Highways (1937). Official Pennsylvania Road Map (Map). Cartography by Pennsylvania Department of Highways. 
12. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Highways (1941). Pennsylvania Official Road Map (Map). 
13. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Highways (1942). Pennsylvania Official Road Map (Map). 
14. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Highways (1963). Pennsylvania (Map). 
15. ^ Pennsylvania Department of Highways (1972). Pennsylvania (Map). 
16. ^ "Proposed Roadway Route Designations". Central Susquehanna Valley Transportation Project. 2009. http://www.csvt.com/maps/potential%20roadway%20designations.pdf. Retrieved August 6, 2009. 
17. ^ Carney, Christopher P. (July 17, 2007). "Oberstar: I Am Very Optimsitc About This Project". Office of Christopher P. Carney, 10th Legislative District. http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/pa10_carney/oberstarvisit.html. Retrieved August 6, 2009. 
18. ^ Morton, Gina (July 17, 2009). "Thruway makes progress (on paper)". The Daily Item. http://www.dailyitem.com/0100_news/local_story_198221350.html. Retrieved August 6, 2009. 
19. ^ Yahoo! Inc. Yahoo! Maps – PA 405 Distance Map (Map). Cartography by NAVTEQ. http://maps.yahoo.com/#mvt=m&lat=41.240933&lon=-76.724764&zoom=18&q1=40.936682,-76.850646&q2=40.967441,-76.876202&q3=41.015576,-76.855538&q4=41.020223,-76.853263&q5=41.07987,-76.858435&q6=41.108056,-76.88&q7=41.15722,-76.87309&q8=41.170418,-76.874678&q9=41.210762,-76.770855&q10=41.211585,-76.758496. Retrieved August 6, 2009. 

External links

• Kitsko, Jeffrey J. (2009). "PA 405". Pennsylvania Highways. http://www.pahighways.com/state/PA401-450.html#PA405. Retrieved August 6, 2009.