Interstate 81 in Pennsylvania

Infobox road
state=PA
type=I
route=81
alternate_name=American Legion Memorial Highway


length_mi=232.63
length_round=2
length_ref= [ [http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/reports/routefinder/table1.htm Route Log - Main Routes of the Eisenhower National System Of Interstate and Defense Highways - Table 1] ]
established=
direction_a=South
terminus_a=
junction=
direction_b=North
terminus_b=
previous_type=PA
previous_route=80
next_type=Interstate
next_route=81E
commons=category
customcommons=Interstate 81

Interstate 81 is an 824 mile long north-south interstate highway, stretching from Dandridge, Tennessee to Fisher's Landing, New York at the US/Canadian border. In the state of Pennsylvania, I-81 runs for 234 miles from the Maryland state line near Chambersburg to the New York state line near Hallstead and is called the American Legion Memorial Highway.

Route description

Maryland to Interstate 78

I-81 enters Pennsylvania at the Maryland state line about 13 miles south of Chambersburg. In Chambersburg at mile marker 16, it meets with a major highway; U.S. Route 30 (the Chambersburg Pike to Gettysburg). About a mile north of Carlisle at exit 52, it meets with U.S. Route 11 which takes passengers to the Pennsylvania Turnpike/ Interstate 76, a stretch known locally as the "Miracle Mile" [http://www.centralpa.org/archives/02may3miracle.html] . From here, I-81 travels in a more east-west direction for the next 40 miles (until exit 89). At mile marker 59, it has an interchange with the western terminus of Pennsylvania Route 581, the Harrisburg Expressway. I-81 becomes the Capital Beltway from exit 59 to exit 70. As passengers approach exit 67, a major complex interchange is seen. The interchange consists of U.S. Route 22 and U.S. Route 322; US Route 322 merges with Interstate 81. Exit 70 is the eastern terminus of the US 322 concurrency and the northern termnius of Interstate 83; Exit 70 takes place in Colonial Park.

Interstate 78 to New York State

At mile marker 89, I-81 meets the western terminus of I-78; I-78 picks up the east-west direction and heads east towards Allentown and New York City, while I-81 turns back northward. From mile marker 141 to mile marker 146; I-81 passes near the city of Hazleton. At exit 151, I-81 meets a major interstate; Interstate 80. As passengers enter Wilkes-Barre at mile marker 165, Interstate 81 merges with a major Pennsylvania route for 5 miles; Pennsylvania Route 309. At exit 175, I-81 meets with Pennsylvania Route 315 which will lead passengers to the north east extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike/ Interstate 476. In Scranton at mile marker 185, there is a short freeway called the Central Scranton Expressway which will lead passengers into downtown Scranton. At mile marker 187, I-81 is at the Throop Dunmore Interchange which consists of Interstate 84, Interstate 380, and U.S. Route 6. US 6 merges with I-81 for 7 miles from mile marker 187 to mile marker 194. At mile marker 194, is the northern terminus of Interstate 476 which is the north east extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The last exit in Pennsylvania is exit 230 which is Pennsylvania Route 171 near Hallstead. 4 miles north of exit 230, passengers have entered the state of New York.

Exit list

ee also

*Interstate 81
*Throop Dunmore Interchange

References

External links

* [http://www.pahighways.com/exits/I81exits.html Interstate 81 exits in Pennsylvania]