Pennsylvania Route 879
Encyclopedia
Pennsylvania Route 879 is a 43 miles (69.2 km) long state highway
located in Clearfield
and Centre
county in Pennsylvania
. The western terminus is at US 219
/PA 729
in Grampian
. The eastern terminus is at PA 144
in Snow Shoe Township
.
and PA 729
in Grampian
, Clearfield County
, heading northeast on two-lane undivided 1st Street. The road passes homes, crossing into Penn Township
and becoming Curwensville Grampian Highway. Here, the route passes through a mix of fields and woods with some residences, curving to the east. PA 879 heads into Pike Township
and winds through more forested areas. The road turns to the northeast and crosses Anderson Creek
, continuing along the north bank of the creek as it passes near industrial areas and heads into Curwensville
. The route becomes State Street and turns southeast and heads through residential areas before heading into the commercial downtown and intersecting the northern terminus of PA 453
. PA 879 heads through woods and crosses under a R.J. Corman Railroad
line, continuing between the railroad line to the north and the West Branch Susquehanna River
to the south. The road passes under another R.J. Corman Railroad line and heads through more wooded areas, crossing back into Pike Township and turning to the northeast as Clearfield Curwensville Highway. The route heads east-northeast through a mix of woodland and farmland, entering Lawrence Township
. PA 879 gains a center left-turn lane and heads northeast through commercial areas, becoming two lanes again and crossing the West Branch Susquehanna River. The road heads through wooded areas of development along the east bank of the river, widening into a four-lane divided highway
.
The route turns east onto two-lane divided limited-access Clearfield Shawville Highway and passes through wooded areas, skirting the southern border of Clearfield
. PA 879 becomes undivided and turns to the northeast, passing through a section of Clearfield before heading back into Lawrence Township and coming to an interchange with PA 153
, at which point it widens into a three-lane divided highway with two eastbound lanes and one westbound lane. The road briefly passes through Clearfield again before reentering Lawrence Township, becoming undivided again and curving to the north. The lane configuration changes to two westbound lanes and one eastbound lane as the route passes over Fire Tower Road and turns northeast again, coming to an interchange with US 322
. Past this interchange, PA 879 crosses over a R.J. Corman Railroad line and the West Branch Susquehanna River, becoming a two-lane divided highway and passing through more wooded areas with some commercial establishments as a surface road. The median changes to a center left-turn lane as the road heads past more businesses and turns north to come to an interchange with I-80
.
Past this interchange, the route becomes two-lane undivided Shawville Croft Highway and winds northeast into forested areas, resuming along the west bank of the West Branch Susquehanna River. PA 879 enters Goshen Township
and continues through more rural areas alongside the river, turning east and coming to an intersection with the northern terminus of PA 970
in the community of Shawville. The road winds northeast through more forests with some fields and residences, curving east and passing through Croft. At this point, a R.J. Corman Railroad line runs in between the road and the river. The route turns southeast and heads into Girard Township
near the community of Surveyor, becoming Shawville Frenchville Highway and running through more forests. PA 879 turns northeast away from the river and railroad line and continues through more rural areas with occasional homes, curving east and passing through Bald Hill. Farther east, the road turns north and east, heading into Covington Township
. At this point, the route becomes Frenchville Karthaus Highway, heading into a mix of farmland and woodland with some homes and passing near Frenchville. PA 879 heads into more forested areas with some fields and residences, passing through an agricultural clearing before turning to the northeast. The road heads through more wooded areas and crosses into Karthaus Township
. Here, the route turns southeast onto Market Street and runs through more woodland before passing east through the residential community of Karthaus. The road turns southeast into more wooded areas and crosses a R.J. Corman Railroad line.
in Centre County
and becomes Pine Glen Road, heading south and southeast through more forests. The road passes through an agricultural clearing before running through more forested areas with occasional homes and small fields. The route turns southeast and passes through the residential community of Pine Glen
before passing through more forests with some residences and farmland. Farther southeast, PA 879 heads into Snow Shoe Township
, reaching its eastern terminus at PA 144
.
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 Clearfield
Clearfield County, Pennsylvania
Clearfield County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 81,642.Clearfield County was created on March 26, 1804, from parts of Huntingdon and Lycoming Counties but was administered as part of Centre County until 1812...
and Centre
Centre County, Pennsylvania
Centre County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is part of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 153,990....
county in 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...
. The western terminus is at US 219
U.S. Route 219
U.S. Route 219 is a spur of U.S. Route 19. It runs for from West Seneca, New York at an interchange with Interstate 90, to Rich Creek, Virginia, intersecting at U.S. Route 460. U.S. 219 is found in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia...
/PA 729
Pennsylvania Route 729
Pennsylvania Route 729 is a long, north–south state highway located in Clearfield county in Pennsylvania. The southern terminus is at PA 253/PA 453 in Gulich Township. The northern terminus is at US 219/PA 879 in Grampain.-Route description:...
in Grampian
Grampian, Pennsylvania
Grampian is a borough in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 441 as of the 2000 census.-Geography:Grampian is located at ....
. The eastern terminus is at PA 144
Pennsylvania Route 144
Pennsylvania Route 144 is a state highway located in the US state of Pennsylvania, covering a distance of 109.3 miles . The southern terminus is located at U.S. Route 322 in Potter Township while the northern terminus is located at U.S. Route 6 in Galeton.- History :PA 144 was first designated by...
in Snow Shoe Township
Snow Shoe Township, Pennsylvania
Snow Shoe Township is a township in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area...
.
Clearfield County
PA 879 begins at an intersection with US 219U.S. Route 219 in Pennsylvania
From near Grantsville, Maryland north to Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. Route 219 is Corridor N of the Appalachian Development Highway System. From Somerset, Pennsylvania to just south of Carrolltown, Pennsylvania, US 219 is a limited-access highway...
and PA 729
Pennsylvania Route 729
Pennsylvania Route 729 is a long, north–south state highway located in Clearfield county in Pennsylvania. The southern terminus is at PA 253/PA 453 in Gulich Township. The northern terminus is at US 219/PA 879 in Grampain.-Route description:...
in Grampian
Grampian, Pennsylvania
Grampian is a borough in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 441 as of the 2000 census.-Geography:Grampian is located at ....
, Clearfield County
Clearfield County, Pennsylvania
Clearfield County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 81,642.Clearfield County was created on March 26, 1804, from parts of Huntingdon and Lycoming Counties but was administered as part of Centre County until 1812...
, heading northeast on two-lane undivided 1st Street. The road passes homes, crossing into Penn Township
Penn Township, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania
Penn Township is a township in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,326 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 25.3 square miles , of which, 25.3 square miles of it is land and...
and becoming Curwensville Grampian Highway. Here, the route passes through a mix of fields and woods with some residences, curving to the east. PA 879 heads into Pike Township
Pike Township, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania
Pike Township is a township in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,309 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 42.1 square miles , of which, 40.7 square miles of it is land and...
and winds through more forested areas. The road turns to the northeast and crosses Anderson Creek
Anderson Creek
Anderson Creek is a tributary of the West Branch Susquehanna River in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania in the United States.-References:*Gertler, Edward. Keystone Canoeing, Seneca Press, 2004. ISBN 0-9749692-0-6...
, continuing along the north bank of the creek as it passes near industrial areas and heads into Curwensville
Curwensville, Pennsylvania
Curwensville is a borough located in Clearfield County, Pennsylvaniain the United States of America, northwest of Altoona on the West Branch Susquehanna River. Coal mining, tanning, and the manufacture of fire bricks were the industries at the turn of the 20th century. In 1900, 1,937 people lived...
. The route becomes State Street and turns southeast and heads through residential areas before heading into the commercial downtown and intersecting the northern terminus of PA 453
Pennsylvania Route 453
Pennsylvania Route 453 is a long state highway located in Huntingdon, Blair, and Clearfield counties in Pennsylvania. The southern terminus is at US 22 in Water Street; the northern terminus is at PA 879 in Curwensville....
. PA 879 heads through woods and crosses under a R.J. Corman Railroad
R.J. Corman Railroad/Pennsylvania Lines
R.J. Corman Railroad/Pennsylvania Lines is a railroad in the R.J. Corman Railroad Group, operating a number of lines in central Pennsylvania. It primarily carries coal between mines and Norfolk Southern Railway connections at Cresson and Keating...
line, continuing between the railroad line to the north and the West Branch Susquehanna River
West Branch Susquehanna River
The West Branch Susquehanna River is one of the two principal branches, along with the North Branch, of the Susquehanna River in the northeastern United States. The North Branch, which rises in upstate New York, is generally regarded as the extension of the main branch, with the shorter West Branch...
to the south. The road passes under another R.J. Corman Railroad line and heads through more wooded areas, crossing back into Pike Township and turning to the northeast as Clearfield Curwensville Highway. The route heads east-northeast through a mix of woodland and farmland, entering Lawrence Township
Lawrence Township, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania
Lawrence Township is a township in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 7,712 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of...
. PA 879 gains a center left-turn lane and heads northeast through commercial areas, becoming two lanes again and crossing the West Branch Susquehanna River. The road heads through wooded areas of development along the east bank of the river, widening into a four-lane divided highway
Divided Highway
Divided Highway is a compilation album by American rock band The Doobie Brothers, released in 2003. . All tracks are taken from the albums Cycles and Brotherhood .-Track listing:...
.
The route turns east onto two-lane divided limited-access Clearfield Shawville Highway and passes through wooded areas, skirting the southern border of Clearfield
Clearfield, Pennsylvania
Clearfield is a borough in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 6,631 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Clearfield County.-Geography:Clearfield is located at ....
. PA 879 becomes undivided and turns to the northeast, passing through a section of Clearfield before heading back into Lawrence Township and coming to an interchange with PA 153
Pennsylvania Route 153
Pennsylvania Route 153 is an long state highway located in Clearfield and Elk counties in Pennsylvania. The southern terminus is at PA 253/PA 453 near Viola...
, at which point it widens into a three-lane divided highway with two eastbound lanes and one westbound lane. The road briefly passes through Clearfield again before reentering Lawrence Township, becoming undivided again and curving to the north. The lane configuration changes to two westbound lanes and one eastbound lane as the route passes over Fire Tower Road and turns northeast again, coming to an interchange with US 322
U.S. Route 322 in Pennsylvania
U.S. Route 322 is a U.S. highway running from Cleveland, Ohio east to Atlantic City, New Jersey. In the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, the route runs from the Ohio border in West Shenango Township southeast to the Commodore Barry Bridge over the Delaware River in Chester, at which point the route...
. Past this interchange, PA 879 crosses over a R.J. Corman Railroad line and the West Branch Susquehanna River, becoming a two-lane divided highway and passing through more wooded areas with some commercial establishments as a surface road. The median changes to a center left-turn lane as the road heads past more businesses and turns north to come to an interchange with I-80
Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania
The transcontinental Interstate 80 is designated across northern Pennsylvania as the Keystone Shortway, officially the Z.H. Confair Memorial Highway. This route was built mainly along a completely new alignment, not paralleling any earlier U.S. Routes, as a shortcut to the tolled Pennsylvania...
.
Past this interchange, the route becomes two-lane undivided Shawville Croft Highway and winds northeast into forested areas, resuming along the west bank of the West Branch Susquehanna River. PA 879 enters Goshen Township
Goshen Township, Pennsylvania
Goshen Township is a township in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 496 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of...
and continues through more rural areas alongside the river, turning east and coming to an intersection with the northern terminus of PA 970
Pennsylvania Route 970
Pennsylvania Route 970 is a long state highway in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. The route runs from U.S. Route 322 in Woodland to Pennsylvania Route 879 in Shawville.-Route description:...
in the community of Shawville. The road winds northeast through more forests with some fields and residences, curving east and passing through Croft. At this point, a R.J. Corman Railroad line runs in between the road and the river. The route turns southeast and heads into Girard Township
Girard Township, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania
Girard Township is a township in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 674 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of...
near the community of Surveyor, becoming Shawville Frenchville Highway and running through more forests. PA 879 turns northeast away from the river and railroad line and continues through more rural areas with occasional homes, curving east and passing through Bald Hill. Farther east, the road turns north and east, heading into Covington Township
Covington Township, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania
Covington Township is a civil township in Clearfield County of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 621.-Geography:...
. At this point, the route becomes Frenchville Karthaus Highway, heading into a mix of farmland and woodland with some homes and passing near Frenchville. PA 879 heads into more forested areas with some fields and residences, passing through an agricultural clearing before turning to the northeast. The road heads through more wooded areas and crosses into Karthaus Township
Karthaus Township, Pennsylvania
Karthaus Township is a township in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 811 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of...
. Here, the route turns southeast onto Market Street and runs through more woodland before passing east through the residential community of Karthaus. The road turns southeast into more wooded areas and crosses a R.J. Corman Railroad line.
Centre County
PA 879 crosses the West Branch Susquehanna River into Burnside TownshipBurnside Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania
Burnside Township is a township in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is at . The CDP of Pine Glen is within Burnside Township...
in Centre County
Centre County, Pennsylvania
Centre County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is part of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 153,990....
and becomes Pine Glen Road, heading south and southeast through more forests. The road passes through an agricultural clearing before running through more forested areas with occasional homes and small fields. The route turns southeast and passes through the residential community of Pine Glen
Pine Glen, Pennsylvania
Pine Glen is a census-designated place in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is part of Burnside Township, Pennsylvania...
before passing through more forests with some residences and farmland. Farther southeast, PA 879 heads into Snow Shoe Township
Snow Shoe Township, Pennsylvania
Snow Shoe Township is a township in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, reaching its eastern terminus at PA 144
Pennsylvania Route 144
Pennsylvania Route 144 is a state highway located in the US state of Pennsylvania, covering a distance of 109.3 miles . The southern terminus is located at U.S. Route 322 in Potter Township while the northern terminus is located at U.S. Route 6 in Galeton.- History :PA 144 was first designated by...
.