Pennsylvania Route 32
Encyclopedia
Pennsylvania Route 32 is a scenic two-lane highway that runs along the side of the Delaware River
in Bucks County, Pennsylvania
. It begins at U.S. 1
in Falls Township
and ends at Pennsylvania Route 611
near the village of Kintnersville
. Most notably it passes through Washington Crossing Historic Park
, a Revolutionary War-themed historical park on the site of George Washington
's Christmas 1776 crossing. It also passes through the towns of Yardley
and New Hope
.
For most of its length the speeds are reduced to 35 mi/h, although there are sections of 45 mph. As such, it is more of a scenic river route than a highway and most motorists in Bucks County use parallel roads in that area. It is known as River Road throughout its length. The road is popular for Sunday drivers, bikers, fishermen, and viewers
of fall foliage.
, 26 miles (41.8 km) northeast of Philadelphia. The highway enters the borough of Morrisville from the west as Bridge Street parallel to US 1. One mile east of the termini, Route 32 intersects Pennsylvania Avenue; motorists use this street to enter the US 1 expressway. Route 32 east of Pennsylvania Avenue turns north on to Delmorr Avenue and is parallel to the Delaware River
. While parallel to the Delaware River, the highway intersects many bridges, two of which, US 1 and US 202, are one way toll into Pennsylvania from New Jersey
. Outside of Morrisville, the highway continues its north alignment heading to the north and west.
While traversing Yardley
, Route 32 is called Delaware Avenue and meets the eastern terminus of PA Route 332
. North of the borough, the highway is known as River Road and passes under Interstate 95. North of the I-95 underpass, the road is parallel to the Delaware River
and Pennsylvania Canal
. In the town of Washington Crossing
, the route traverses Washington Crossing Historic Park
, the site where George Washington
's troops crossed the Delaware River during the Revolutionary War. Route 32 meets PA Route 532
in downtown Washington Crossing. North of the park, the route travels on a north alignment with a couple of curves.
Route 32 enters New Hope
from the south as Main Street, upon briefly intersecting the northern terminus of PA Route 232
. The highway later intersects PA Route 179: another route that terminates at the New Jersey
state line. North of New Hope, Route 32 interchanges with U.S. Route 202
. In Centre Bridge
, Route 32 meets the northern terminus of PA Route 263
. The continues to curve along the Delaware River north of PA 263. The rest of the designation of Route 32 is parallel to the Delaware River. The highway terminates at junction with PA Route 611
in Nockamixon Township
.
in 1928. In 1932 a parkway was proposed along the route from Morrisville
to New Hope
, however, it was never built. In 1969, another proposal was created for a $30 million Pennsylvania Route 32 expressway from I-95
near Yardley
to US 202
in New Hope. However, the proposal was canceled in 1974 due to low traffic volume and environmental issues.
, Route 32 is prone to flood
s. Several floods, including the Mid-Atlantic Flood of June 2006, left many parts of the road impassable. The sections of road between PA 263 and Greenhill Road and near Fleecydale Road in Solebury Township
and between PA 611 and Narrows Hill Road in Nockamixon Township
were closed from the damage. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
undertook a $11.4 million project to fix these sections of road in 2008. The section between PA 263 and Greenhill Road was completed by Memorial Day 2008 and the section between PA 611 and Narrows Hill Road was completed in summer of 2008. Road closures and detours have affected many businesses along Route 32, with many seeing a decline in customers and some closing down or being put up for auction. However, the once-closed part of the far northern terminus in Nockamixon Township has been completed, and is now open for both northbound and southbound travelers.
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
in Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Bucks County, Pennsylvania
- Industry and commerce :The boroughs of Bristol and Morrisville were prominent industrial centers along the Northeast Corridor during World War II. Suburban development accelerated in Lower Bucks in the 1950s with the opening of Levittown, Pennsylvania, the second such "Levittown" designed by...
. It begins at 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...
in Falls Township
Falls Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Falls Township is a township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 34,300 at the 2010 census. Portions of Fairless Hills and Levittown, Pennsylvania, are located in the township...
and ends at Pennsylvania Route 611
Pennsylvania Route 611
Pennsylvania Route 611 is a major state highway in Pennsylvania, United States, running from Interstate 95 south of downtown Philadelphia north to Interstate 380 in Coolbaugh Township, Pennsylvania in The Poconos....
near the village of Kintnersville
Nockamixon Township, Pennsylvania
Nockamixon Township is a township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,441 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 22.6 square miles , of which, 22.2 square miles of it is land and...
. Most notably it passes through Washington Crossing Historic Park
Washington Crossing Historic Park
Washington Crossing Historic Park is a 500-acre site operated by The Friends Of Washington Crossing Historic Park. The park is headquartered in the village of Washington Crossing located in Upper Makefield Township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania...
, a Revolutionary War-themed historical park on the site of George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
's Christmas 1776 crossing. It also passes through the towns of Yardley
Yardley, Pennsylvania
Yardley is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The small community of Yardley is bordered by the Delaware River and Ewing, New Jersey on the east, and by Lower Makefield Township on the north, west, and south...
and New Hope
New Hope, Pennsylvania
New Hope, formerly known as Coryell's Ferry, is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, USA. The population was 2,528 at the 2010 census. The borough lies on the west bank of the Delaware River at its confluence with Aquetong Creek. A two-lane bridge carries automobile and foot traffic across the...
.
For most of its length the speeds are reduced to 35 mi/h, although there are sections of 45 mph. As such, it is more of a scenic river route than a highway and most motorists in Bucks County use parallel roads in that area. It is known as River Road throughout its length. The road is popular for Sunday drivers, bikers, fishermen, and viewers
Leaf peeping
Leaf peeping is an informal term, commonly used in the United States, for people who travel to view and photograph the fall foliage in areas where foliage changes colors, particularly New England.The origin of the term "leaf peeping" is not well known....
of fall foliage.
Route description
Route 32 begins at an incomplete interchange with U.S. Route 1 in Falls TownshipFalls Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Falls Township is a township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 34,300 at the 2010 census. Portions of Fairless Hills and Levittown, Pennsylvania, are located in the township...
, 26 miles (41.8 km) northeast of Philadelphia. The highway enters the borough of Morrisville from the west as Bridge Street parallel to US 1. One mile east of the termini, Route 32 intersects Pennsylvania Avenue; motorists use this street to enter the US 1 expressway. Route 32 east of Pennsylvania Avenue turns north on to Delmorr Avenue and is parallel to the Delaware River
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
. While parallel to the Delaware River, the highway intersects many bridges, two of which, US 1 and US 202, are one way toll into Pennsylvania from New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. Outside of Morrisville, the highway continues its north alignment heading to the north and west.
While traversing Yardley
Yardley, Pennsylvania
Yardley is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The small community of Yardley is bordered by the Delaware River and Ewing, New Jersey on the east, and by Lower Makefield Township on the north, west, and south...
, Route 32 is called Delaware Avenue and meets the eastern terminus of PA Route 332
Pennsylvania Route 332
Pennsylvania Route 332 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The route runs from Pennsylvania Route 263 in Hatboro, Montgomery County east to Pennsylvania Route 32 in Yardley, Bucks County.-Route description:...
. North of the borough, the highway is known as River Road and passes under Interstate 95. North of the I-95 underpass, the road is parallel to the Delaware River
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
and Pennsylvania Canal
Pennsylvania Canal
Pennsylvania Canal refers generally to a complex system of canals, dams, locks, tow paths, aqueducts, and other infrastructure including, in some cases, railroads in Pennsylvania...
. In the town of Washington Crossing
Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania
Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania, is a small unincorporated village located in Upper Makefield Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with a zip code of 18977. Formerly known as "Taylorsville," it is most famous for Washington's crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas of 1776 during the...
, the route traverses Washington Crossing Historic Park
Washington Crossing Historic Park
Washington Crossing Historic Park is a 500-acre site operated by The Friends Of Washington Crossing Historic Park. The park is headquartered in the village of Washington Crossing located in Upper Makefield Township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania...
, the site where George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
's troops crossed the Delaware River during the Revolutionary War. Route 32 meets PA Route 532
Pennsylvania Route 532
Pennsylvania Route 532 is a state route located in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area.-Philadelphia:PA 532 begins as Welsh Road, where it intersects with Roosevelt Boulevard in Northeast Philadelphia. After less than a mile, PA 532 leaves Welsh Road and follows Bustleton Avenue...
in downtown Washington Crossing. North of the park, the route travels on a north alignment with a couple of curves.
Route 32 enters New Hope
New Hope, Pennsylvania
New Hope, formerly known as Coryell's Ferry, is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, USA. The population was 2,528 at the 2010 census. The borough lies on the west bank of the Delaware River at its confluence with Aquetong Creek. A two-lane bridge carries automobile and foot traffic across the...
from the south as Main Street, upon briefly intersecting the northern terminus of PA Route 232
Pennsylvania Route 232
Pennsylvania Route 232 is a long state highway located in southeastern Pennsylvania. The southern terminus of the route is at U.S. Route 1 and US 13 at the Oxford Circle in Philadelphia. The northern terminus is at PA 32 in the borough of New Hope, Bucks County, on the banks of the Delaware River...
. The highway later intersects PA Route 179: another route that terminates at the New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
state line. North of New Hope, Route 32 interchanges with U.S. Route 202
U.S. Route 202
U.S. Route 202 is a highway stretching from Delaware to Maine, also passing through the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire....
. In Centre Bridge
Centre Bridge, Pennsylvania
Centre Bridge is an unincorporated community on the Delaware River in Solebury Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. Located at the crossroads of River Road and 263), it lies north of New Hope...
, Route 32 meets the northern terminus of PA Route 263
Pennsylvania Route 263
Pennsylvania Route 263 is a north–south state highway located in southeast Pennsylvania. The southern terminus of the route is at PA 611 in Willow Grove, Montgomery County. The northern terminus is at PA 32 in Centre Bridge, Bucks County on the banks of the Delaware River near the Centre...
. The continues to curve along the Delaware River north of PA 263. The rest of the designation of Route 32 is parallel to the Delaware River. The highway terminates at junction with PA Route 611
Pennsylvania Route 611
Pennsylvania Route 611 is a major state highway in Pennsylvania, United States, running from Interstate 95 south of downtown Philadelphia north to Interstate 380 in Coolbaugh Township, Pennsylvania in The Poconos....
in Nockamixon Township
Nockamixon Township, Pennsylvania
Nockamixon Township is a township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,441 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 22.6 square miles , of which, 22.2 square miles of it is land and...
.
History
Pennsylvania Route 32 was designated along its current alignment in 1928. The original alignment, created in 1925, followed the same route but continued south from Morrisville to Philadelphia. The PA 32 designation between Morrisville and Philadelphia was removed in favor of U.S. Route 13U.S. Route 13 in Pennsylvania
U.S. Route 13 passes through the Philadelphia metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The route enters the state from Delaware in Marcus Hook, Delaware County. It continues in a northeasterly direction through Delaware County, passes through Philadelphia, and continues into Bucks...
in 1928. In 1932 a parkway was proposed along the route from Morrisville
Morrisville, Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Morrisville is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 8,728 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Morrisville is located at . It is situated on the Delaware River directly across from Trenton, New Jersey...
to New Hope
New Hope, Pennsylvania
New Hope, formerly known as Coryell's Ferry, is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, USA. The population was 2,528 at the 2010 census. The borough lies on the west bank of the Delaware River at its confluence with Aquetong Creek. A two-lane bridge carries automobile and foot traffic across the...
, however, it was never built. In 1969, another proposal was created for a $30 million Pennsylvania Route 32 expressway from I-95
Interstate 95 in Pennsylvania
Interstate 95 is an Interstate highway running from Miami, Florida north to Houlton, Maine. In the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, the route is known by many as the Delaware Expressway, but is officially named The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. and locally known as "95"...
near Yardley
Yardley, Pennsylvania
Yardley is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The small community of Yardley is bordered by the Delaware River and Ewing, New Jersey on the east, and by Lower Makefield Township on the north, west, and south...
to US 202
U.S. Route 202 in Pennsylvania
U.S. Route 202 runs through the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, passing through the northern and western suburbs of Philadelphia. It follows in a general southwest to northeast direction through the state, passing through West Chester, King of Prussia, Norristown,...
in New Hope. However, the proposal was canceled in 1974 due to low traffic volume and environmental issues.
Flooding
Due to its route along the Delaware RiverDelaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
, Route 32 is prone to flood
Flood
A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. The EU Floods directive defines a flood as a temporary covering by water of land not normally covered by water...
s. Several floods, including the Mid-Atlantic Flood of June 2006, left many parts of the road impassable. The sections of road between PA 263 and Greenhill Road and near Fleecydale Road in Solebury Township
Solebury Township, Pennsylvania
Solebury Township is a township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 8,692 at the 2010 census.The Solebury School is located in the township, off U.S...
and between PA 611 and Narrows Hill Road in Nockamixon Township
Nockamixon Township, Pennsylvania
Nockamixon Township is a township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,441 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 22.6 square miles , of which, 22.2 square miles of it is land and...
were closed from the damage. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
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...
undertook a $11.4 million project to fix these sections of road in 2008. The section between PA 263 and Greenhill Road was completed by Memorial Day 2008 and the section between PA 611 and Narrows Hill Road was completed in summer of 2008. Road closures and detours have affected many businesses along Route 32, with many seeing a decline in customers and some closing down or being put up for auction. However, the once-closed part of the far northern terminus in Nockamixon Township has been completed, and is now open for both northbound and southbound travelers.
Major intersections
The entire route is in Bucks County.| Location | Mile | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falls Township Falls Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania Falls Township is a township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 34,300 at the 2010 census. Portions of Fairless Hills and Levittown, Pennsylvania, are located in the township... |
0.00 | Interchange | |
| Morrisville Morrisville, Bucks County, Pennsylvania Morrisville is a borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 8,728 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Morrisville is located at . It is situated on the Delaware River directly across from Trenton, New Jersey... |
Bridge Street | Former US 1 north | |
| Trenton Avenue, Calhoun Street Bridge | |||
| Yardley | 5.52 | ||
| Upper Makefield Township | 9.50 | ||
| New Hope | 16.27 | ||
| 16.77 | |||
| Solebury Township | 17.90 | – New Jersey New Jersey New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware... |
Interchange |
| 20.14 | , Stockton | ||
| Tinicum Township Tinicum Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania Tinicum Township is a township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,995 at the 2010 census.The Uhlerstown-Frenchtown Bridge, a free Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission bridge over the Delaware River, connects Uhlerstown to Frenchtown in Hunterdon County, New... |
Uhlerstown-Frenchtown Bridge | ||
| Bridgeton Township | Upper Black Eddy-Milford Bridge Upper Black Eddy-Milford Bridge The Upper Black Eddy-Milford Bridge is a free bridge over the Delaware River, owned and operated by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission. The bridge carries Bridge Street, connecting CR 519 in Milford, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, with Pennsylvania Route 32 in Upper Black Eddy, Bucks... |
||
| Nockamixon Township | 40.56 |