Pennsylvania Route 96
Encyclopedia
Pennsylvania Route 96 is a 41.6 miles (66.9 km) long state highway
located in southwestern Pennsylvania
. The southern terminus of the route is at the Mason-Dixon Line
in Londonderry Township
, where PA 96 continues to the south as Maryland Route 35
. The northern terminus is at Pennsylvania Route 869
in Lincoln Township
.
Towns included in this particular stretch of highway include Hyndman, Fossilville, Madley, and Buffalo Mills in Londonderry Township, PA. Route 96 is a main highway between the cities of Cumberland, MD and Bedford, PA which many people travel daily for business purposes.
border in the community of State Line
in Londonderry Township
, where the road continues south into Ellersile, Maryland as MD 35
. From the state line, the route heads northeast on two-lane undivided Hyndman Road, passing homes before entering a mix of farms, woods, and residences in a narrow valley. PA 96 enters more forested areas as it runs a short distance to the west of a CSX railroad line and Wills Creek
. The road runs farther west from the creek and the railroad line as it runs past more farmland and woodland with a few homes, passing through Stringtown and Palo Alto. The route continues through the rural narrow valley and curves northeast, becoming Schellsburg Street before entering Hyndman
. Here, PA 96 passes homes before turning east onto Center Street, at which point it runs past a mix of residences and businesses. The road crosses a CSX rail line and curves to the north, becoming Pennsylvania Avenue. Upon crossing the Wills Creek, the route heads back into Londonderry Township and returns to rural areas with some residential development, passing through Wills Creek.
Farther north, the road runs between the base of Savage Mountain
to the west and valley farm fields to the east. PA 96 passes through forests before heading back into farmland with some homes, running through Fossilville. The route continues northeast through the narrow agricultural and wooded valley, serving Gravel Pit Station and Madley. The road crosses into Harrison Township
and runs through more rural areas with occasional homes, passing through Bard and Buffalo Mills. PA 96 continues through the rural valley for several miles before entering Manns Choice
. Here, the road passes development, coming to an intersection with PA 31
.
At this point, the two routes turn west to form a concurrency
on Allegheny Road, passing by homes. PA 31/PA 96 crosses into Harrison Township and runs through a mix of farmland and woodland with a few residences, curving to the northwest. PA 31 splits to the west and PA 96 continues northwest on Shawnee Road, crossing the Raystown Branch Juniata River
into Napier Township
. The route passes over I-70
/I-76 (Pennsylvania Turnpike
) and heads into forested areas of Shawnee State Park. In this area, the road passes over Shawnee Lake before turning north and running along the western shore of the lake. After leaving the state park, PA 96 enters Schellsburg
and becomes Market Street, passing homes. In the center of town, the route intersects US 30
.
From here, the road passes more residences before becoming the border between Napier Township to the west and Schellsburg to the east. PA 96 fully enters Napier Township again and passes through a mix of woodland and farmland with a few homes as Cortland Road. The road curves northwest and then north again through the countryside, coming to New Paris
. In this borough, the route passes several homes. Crossing back into Napier Township, PA 96 passes through more agricultural areas with some woods and homes. Entering West St. Clair Township
, the road passes through more rural areas of farms and woods with a few residences. The route crosses into Pleasantville
, where it comes to a junction with PA 56
in a commercial area. After this, PA 96 becomes King St. Clair Road and crosses back into West St. Clair Township and passes open farmland with some rural homes. The route makes a turn to the east before curving northeast through agricultural areas with some woods and residences, heading into King Township
. PA 96 bends to the north and continues to its northern terminus at an intersection with PA 869
in Lincoln Township
, with the road continuing north as part of that route.
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 southwestern 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 southern terminus of the route is at the Mason-Dixon Line
Mason-Dixon line
The Mason–Dixon Line was surveyed between 1763 and 1767 by Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon in the resolution of a border dispute between British colonies in Colonial America. It forms a demarcation line among four U.S. states, forming part of the borders of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and...
in Londonderry Township
Londonderry Township, Pennsylvania
Londonderry Township is the name of some places in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania:*Londonderry Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania*Londonderry Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania*Londonderry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania- See also :...
, where PA 96 continues to the south as Maryland Route 35
Maryland Route 35
Maryland Route 35 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. Known as Ellerslie Road, the state highway runs from MD 36 in Corriganville north to the Pennsylvania state line in Ellerslie, where the highway continues north as Pennsylvania Route 96 . MD 35 was constructed in the late 1910s...
. The northern terminus is at Pennsylvania Route 869
Pennsylvania Route 869
Pennsylvania Route 869 is an east–west state route located in Western Pennsylvania. Its western terminus is at Ragers Hill Road just west of US 219 in St...
in Lincoln Township
Lincoln Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania
Lincoln Township is a township in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 380 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 16.2 square miles , all of it land.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there...
.
Towns included in this particular stretch of highway include Hyndman, Fossilville, Madley, and Buffalo Mills in Londonderry Township, PA. Route 96 is a main highway between the cities of Cumberland, MD and Bedford, PA which many people travel daily for business purposes.
Route description
PA 96 begins at the MarylandMaryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
border in the community of State Line
State Line, Bedford County, Pennsylvania
State Line is an unincorporated community in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, just north of Cumberland, Maryland and Frostburg, Maryland.*...
in Londonderry Township
Londonderry Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania
Londonderry Township is a township in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,760 at the 2000 census.-History:The Fischtner Covered Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.-Geography:...
, where the road continues south into Ellersile, Maryland as MD 35
Maryland Route 35
Maryland Route 35 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. Known as Ellerslie Road, the state highway runs from MD 36 in Corriganville north to the Pennsylvania state line in Ellerslie, where the highway continues north as Pennsylvania Route 96 . MD 35 was constructed in the late 1910s...
. From the state line, the route heads northeast on two-lane undivided Hyndman Road, passing homes before entering a mix of farms, woods, and residences in a narrow valley. PA 96 enters more forested areas as it runs a short distance to the west of a CSX railroad line and Wills Creek
Wills Creek (North Branch Potomac River)
Wills Creek is a tributary of the North Branch Potomac River in Pennsylvania and Maryland in the United States.Wills Creek drops off the Allegheny Mountains of southeastern Somerset County, Pennsylvania, and enters the North Branch Potomac River at Cumberland, Maryland.-History:thumb|220px|Fort...
. The road runs farther west from the creek and the railroad line as it runs past more farmland and woodland with a few homes, passing through Stringtown and Palo Alto. The route continues through the rural narrow valley and curves northeast, becoming Schellsburg Street before entering Hyndman
Hyndman, Pennsylvania
Hyndman is a borough in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, United States. 1005 residents were counted during the 2000 census.- History :The first known settler in the area was Samuel Waters, who lived near Wills Creek and built a bridge across it before 1800. About 1800, Jacob Burkett and Amos Raley...
. Here, PA 96 passes homes before turning east onto Center Street, at which point it runs past a mix of residences and businesses. The road crosses a CSX rail line and curves to the north, becoming Pennsylvania Avenue. Upon crossing the Wills Creek, the route heads back into Londonderry Township and returns to rural areas with some residential development, passing through Wills Creek.
Farther north, the road runs between the base of Savage Mountain
Savage Mountain
The two Big Savage Mountain summits are part of Savage Mountain.The two Big Savage Mountain summits are part of Savage Mountain....
to the west and valley farm fields to the east. PA 96 passes through forests before heading back into farmland with some homes, running through Fossilville. The route continues northeast through the narrow agricultural and wooded valley, serving Gravel Pit Station and Madley. The road crosses into Harrison Township
Harrison Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania
Harrison Township is a township in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,007 at the 2000 census.-History:The Diehls Covered Bridge and Heirline Covered Bridge were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980....
and runs through more rural areas with occasional homes, passing through Bard and Buffalo Mills. PA 96 continues through the rural valley for several miles before entering Manns Choice
Manns Choice, Pennsylvania
Manns Choice is a borough in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 291 at the 2000 census.-Name:In 1848, Congressman Job Mann pressured to have a post office at an unnamed village in Harrison Township. The Post Office Department approved the new post office, but as the...
. Here, the road passes development, coming to an intersection with PA 31
Pennsylvania Route 31
Pennsylvania Route 31 is a long state highway located in Western Pennsylvania, paralleling U.S. Route 30 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike for most of its length. The designation begins at PA 136 near West Newton and ends at US 30 near Bedford....
.
At this point, the two routes turn west to form a concurrency
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
on Allegheny Road, passing by homes. PA 31/PA 96 crosses into Harrison Township and runs through a mix of farmland and woodland with a few residences, curving to the northwest. PA 31 splits to the west and PA 96 continues northwest on Shawnee Road, crossing the Raystown Branch Juniata River
Raystown Branch Juniata River
The Raystown Branch Juniata River is the largest and longest tributary of the Juniata River in south-central Pennsylvania in the United States....
into Napier Township
Napier Township, Pennsylvania
Napier Township is a township in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,145 at the 2000 census.-History:The Heirline Covered Bridge and New Paris Covered Bridge were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980...
. The route passes over I-70
Interstate 70 in Pennsylvania
In the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, Interstate 70 runs east–west across the southwest part of the state serving the southern half of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. About half of the route is concurrent with Interstate 76 along the Pennsylvania Turnpike...
/I-76 (Pennsylvania Turnpike
Pennsylvania Turnpike
The Pennsylvania Turnpike is a toll highway system operated by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States. The three sections of the turnpike system total . The main section extends from Ohio to New Jersey and is long...
) and heads into forested areas of Shawnee State Park. In this area, the road passes over Shawnee Lake before turning north and running along the western shore of the lake. After leaving the state park, PA 96 enters Schellsburg
Schellsburg, Pennsylvania
Schellsburg is a borough in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 316 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Schellsburg is located at...
and becomes Market Street, passing homes. In the center of town, the route intersects US 30
U.S. Route 30 in Pennsylvania
In the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, U.S. Route 30 runs east–west across the southern part of the state, passing through Pittsburgh and Philadelphia on its way from the West Virginia state line east to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge over the Delaware River into New Jersey...
.
From here, the road passes more residences before becoming the border between Napier Township to the west and Schellsburg to the east. PA 96 fully enters Napier Township again and passes through a mix of woodland and farmland with a few homes as Cortland Road. The road curves northwest and then north again through the countryside, coming to New Paris
New Paris, Pennsylvania
New Paris is a borough in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 214 at the 2000 census. New Paris is located northwest of Bedford, north of Schellsburg and ENE of Somerset.-History:...
. In this borough, the route passes several homes. Crossing back into Napier Township, PA 96 passes through more agricultural areas with some woods and homes. Entering West St. Clair Township
West St. Clair Township, Pennsylvania
West St. Clair Township is a township in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,647 at the 2000 census.-History:The Dr...
, the road passes through more rural areas of farms and woods with a few residences. The route crosses into Pleasantville
Pleasantville, Bedford County, Pennsylvania
Pleasantville is a borough in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 211 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Pleasantville is located at...
, where it comes to a junction with PA 56
Pennsylvania Route 56
Pennsylvania Route 56 is a major long state highway located in central Pennsylvania. Its western terminus is at the eastern approach to the C.L. Schmitt Bridge in New Kensington. Its eastern terminus is U.S. Route 30 west of Bedford.- Route description :...
in a commercial area. After this, PA 96 becomes King St. Clair Road and crosses back into West St. Clair Township and passes open farmland with some rural homes. The route makes a turn to the east before curving northeast through agricultural areas with some woods and residences, heading into King Township
King Township, Pennsylvania
King Township is a township in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,264 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:...
. PA 96 bends to the north and continues to its northern terminus at an intersection with PA 869
Pennsylvania Route 869
Pennsylvania Route 869 is an east–west state route located in Western Pennsylvania. Its western terminus is at Ragers Hill Road just west of US 219 in St...
in Lincoln Township
Lincoln Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania
Lincoln Township is a township in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 380 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 16.2 square miles , all of it land.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there...
, with the road continuing north as part of that route.