Pennsylvania Route 252
Encyclopedia
Pennsylvania Route 252 is a north–south route that connects at its northern terminus Pennsylvania Route 23
in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
to Pennsylvania Route 320
in Nether Providence Township, Pennsylvania
at its southern terminus.
PA 252 in its current form was originally established in 1928 to run from Media to Newtown Square. In 1970, the route was changed to its current course.
Less than 5 blocks outside of Chester, PA 252 spurs off PA 320, signed as Providence Road and proceeds northward from that point. Soon, the route passes through the eastern part of the borough of Media
, the county seat of Delaware County. After interchanging with the Media Bypass (U.S. 1
), Providence Road passes Rose Tree Park
in Upper Providence Township
, where there is a fork in the road: Providence Road continues northward from the left-hand branch of the fork, but Route 252 continues northeastward from the right-hand branch, which is signed as Palmer's Mill Road. Route 252 continues across the top of the dam where the Springton Reservoir empties into Crum Creek
and into Marple Township
, at which point Palmer's Mill Road diverges from Route 252 and Route 252 continues northward, now signed as Newtown Street Road and passes alongside Delaware County Community College
's campus. Through Newtown Township, Pennsylvania
, 252 crosses West Chester Pike (PA 3). Right before the Chester-Delaware County Line, 252 splits from Newtown Street Road, signed as Darby Paoli Road.
) in Paoli
, 252 crosses under a railroad bridge and intersects with and changes names to Swedesford Road, taking a more east–west alignment. It then intersects Chesterbrook Blvd., and shortly after becomes parallel with US 202 with a limited access interchange. It continues along US 202 until intersecting with Valley Forge Road. At this intersection, drivers are forced to take a left onto Valley Forge Road to continue being on 252. Immediately north of this intersection, PA 252 has a full access interchange with US 202. Valley Forge Road continues north (as 252 had been going east–west before), heading toward the historical Valley Forge
. Within the park lines and shortly before the county line, 252 drops the Valley Forge Road moniker in favor of Valley Creek Road.
.
Pennsylvania Route 23
Pennsylvania Route 23 is a state highway in southeastern Pennsylvania. The route begins at Pennsylvania Route 441 in Marietta and heads east to U.S. Route 1 in Philadelphia.-Marietta to Valley Forge:...
in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
The Village of Valley Forge is an unincorporated settlement located on the west side of Valley Forge National Historical Park at the confluence of Valley Creek and the Schuylkill River in Pennsylvania, United States. The remaining village is in Schuylkill Township of Chester County, but once...
to Pennsylvania Route 320
Pennsylvania Route 320
Pennsylvania Route 320 is a north–south state highway in southeastern Pennsylvania. The southern terminus of the long route is at PA 291 in Chester...
in Nether Providence Township, Pennsylvania
Nether Providence Township, Pennsylvania
Nether Providence Township is a first class township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. Many residents refer to the township by the name of its largest community, Wallingford, because the Wallingford postal code is used for most of the township....
at its southern terminus.
History
In 1683 the Court of Chester County approved the construction of "Providence Great Road" on what is now PA 252.PA 252 in its current form was originally established in 1928 to run from Media to Newtown Square. In 1970, the route was changed to its current course.
Delaware County
Media, Pennsylvania
The borough of Media is the county seat of Delaware County, Pennsylvania and is located west of Philadelphia. Media was incorporated in 1850 at the same time that it was named the county seat. The population was 5,533 at the 2000 census. Its school district is the Rose Tree Media School District...
, the county seat of Delaware County. After interchanging with the Media Bypass (U.S. 1
U.S. Route 1 in Pennsylvania
U.S. Route 1 is a major north–south U.S. Highway, extending from the Florida Keys in the south to the Canadian border in the north. In the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, US 1 runs for from the Maryland state line near Oxford to the New Jersey state line near Trenton.-Maryland to Interstate...
), Providence Road passes Rose Tree Park
Rose Tree Park
Rose Tree Park is located on Providence Road in Upper Providence Township, Pennsylvania in the suburbs of Philadelphia and used to be used for steeplechase racing. The park is in size and is open to the public. There are benches, picnic tables, a gazebo, a nature trail, an outdoor amphitheater,...
in Upper Providence Township
Upper Providence Township, Pennsylvania
There are two Upper Providence Townships in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania:*Upper Providence Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania*Upper Providence Township, Montgomery County, PennsylvaniaSee also:...
, where there is a fork in the road: Providence Road continues northward from the left-hand branch of the fork, but Route 252 continues northeastward from the right-hand branch, which is signed as Palmer's Mill Road. Route 252 continues across the top of the dam where the Springton Reservoir empties into Crum Creek
Crum Creek
Crum Creek is a creek in Delaware County and Chester County, Pennsylvania, flowing approximately , generally in a southward direction and draining into the Delaware River in Eddystone, Pennsylvania. It begins in a swamp near Newtown Square, Pennsylvania along which several mills were established...
and into Marple Township
Marple Township, Pennsylvania
Marple Township is a township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 23,737 at the 2000 census. ZIP codes include mainly 19008, but also partially 19064 and 19063.-Geography:...
, at which point Palmer's Mill Road diverges from Route 252 and Route 252 continues northward, now signed as Newtown Street Road and passes alongside Delaware County Community College
Delaware County Community College
Delaware County Community College, also known as DCCC, DC3, "Route 252 U" or Delco, is a 2-year community college in the Philadelphia area. While it is based in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, it has two campuses, one of which is located in Chester County, Pennsylvania...
's campus. Through Newtown Township, Pennsylvania
Newtown Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Newtown Township is a township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States . Newtown Township is the oldest township in Delaware County. The population was 11,700 as of the 2000 census.-History:...
, 252 crosses West Chester Pike (PA 3). Right before the Chester-Delaware County Line, 252 splits from Newtown Street Road, signed as Darby Paoli Road.
Chester County
Darby Paoli Road becomes a four-lane highway, but soon after entering Chester County it decreases in lanes to two. At Lancaster Avenue (U.S. Route 30U.S. Route 30
U.S. Route 30 is an east–west main route of the system of United States Numbered Highways, with the highway traveling across the northern tier of the country. It is the third longest U.S. route, after U.S. Route 20 and U.S. Route 6. The western end of the highway is at Astoria, Oregon; the...
) in Paoli
Paoli, Pennsylvania
Paoli is a census-designated place in Chester County near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It is situated in portions of two townships: Tredyffrin and Willistown...
, 252 crosses under a railroad bridge and intersects with and changes names to Swedesford Road, taking a more east–west alignment. It then intersects Chesterbrook Blvd., and shortly after becomes parallel with US 202 with a limited access interchange. It continues along US 202 until intersecting with Valley Forge Road. At this intersection, drivers are forced to take a left onto Valley Forge Road to continue being on 252. Immediately north of this intersection, PA 252 has a full access interchange with US 202. Valley Forge Road continues north (as 252 had been going east–west before), heading toward the historical Valley Forge
Valley Forge
Valley Forge in Pennsylvania was the site of the military camp of the American Continental Army over the winter of 1777–1778 in the American Revolutionary War.-History:...
. Within the park lines and shortly before the county line, 252 drops the Valley Forge Road moniker in favor of Valley Creek Road.
Montgomery County
252 briefly enters this county as Valley Creek Road before terminating at PA 23 in the unincorporated community of Valley ForgeValley Forge, Pennsylvania
The Village of Valley Forge is an unincorporated settlement located on the west side of Valley Forge National Historical Park at the confluence of Valley Creek and the Schuylkill River in Pennsylvania, United States. The remaining village is in Schuylkill Township of Chester County, but once...
.