U.S. Route 119
Encyclopedia
U.S. Route 119, commonly abbreviated as US 119, is a spur of US 19
. It is a north–south route that was an original United States highway of 1926. It is often referred to as Corridor G east of US 23 and KY 80 in Kentucky
to Interstate 64
at Charleston, West Virginia
.
at U.S. Route 25E
to the West Virginia state line at South Williamson
.
From Pineville to US 23 (Country Music Highway) at Jenkins
, it is part of Corridor F. During its concurrency from Jenkins north to Pikeville
, where it departs eastward towards West Virginia, it is part of Corridor B. From US 23/KY 80 at Pikeville eastward towards the state line, it is part of Corridor G.
US 119 passes near Harlan
and Pikeville
.
to Charleston
. The earliest segment of Corridor G to open was in 1972 and was finished in 1997. Formerly, US 119 was a typical two-lane mountain highway. Old US 119 now comprises all or parts of US 52
, WV 44, WV 10, WV 17, WV 85, WV 3, WV 94 and WV 61.
The US route becomes a mostly two-lane highway north of Charleston, having functionally been replaced by Interstate 79
. Compared to its replacement, US 119 takes a rather winding course. A trip from the Charleston
area to the Morgantown
area (I-79/US 119 Exit #1 to I-68 Exit #1) is 147 miles (236.6 km) via I-79 and 182 miles (292.9 km) via US 119. The travel time is about double taking US 119, over 4 hours instead of about 2 hours.
From Charleston, US 119 heads roughly east along the Elk River
to Clendenin
, where it turns north for 29 miles (46.7 km) to Spencer
. At Spencer, it begins to head east with US 33
for 81.4 miles (131 km). Along the way, it passes through Glenville
and Weston
, where it intersects parent route US 19
and replacement I-79
. From I-79 to WV 20 at Buckhannon
, US 33/US 119 follow Corridor H.
At Buckhannon
, US 119 again turns north — first with WV 20 then by itself as it travels to Philippi
. At Philippi it joins with US 250
for 12 miles (19.3 km). From there, US 119 heads on its own through Grafton
and towards Morgantown
.
Just south of Morgantown
, US 119 intersects Interstate 68's
Exit #1, immediately east of its end at I-79
. US 119 then enters downtown Morgantown, again meeting with US 19
. It leaves town via the narrow and winding North Willey Street and congested Mileground.
Just after the Mileground, US 119 intersects with the Monongalia County Route 857 connector to I-68
Exit #7, which effectively allows through traffic to bypass Morgantown. US 119 finally turns north to enter Pennsylvania
near Point Marion
. The Hamilton Farm Petroglyphs
are along this section. Much of this last stretch of US 119 heading towards Uniontown, Pennsylvania
is already bypassed by traffic using I-68
, Monongalia County Route 857 and PA 857
. While this alternate route is longer, it has a better alignment and is faster to travel.
, Greensburg
, and Punxsutawney
, and bypasses Uniontown
and Indiana. There are numerous other boroughs and villages along its 133 miles (214 km) route in the Keystone State.
The southern entrance of US 119 is at the West Virginia state line one-half mile south of Point Marion
. The northern terminus is at US 219
two miles (3 km) south of DuBois, Pennsylvania
.
US 119's control cities include Morgantown, West Virginia
, Uniontown, Connellsville, New Stanton
(for northbound traffic only), Greensburg, Blairsville
, Indiana, Punxsutawney, and DuBois.
changed drastically with the opening of Corridor G from 1972 to 1997.
The original routing southeast of capital city was WV 61 to Marmet
, where it took WV 94 southwest to Racine
. From Racine to Danville
, it followed today's WV 3 and onward to Madison
. From Madison south to Logan
, it followed today's WV 17.
South of Logan to Mountain View
, it followed WV 44. At Mountain View, it junctioned US 52 and overlapped it northwest to Williamson
, where it entered Kentucky.
U.S. Route 19
U.S. Route 19 is a north–south U.S. Highway. Despite encroaching Interstate Highways, the route has remained a long-haul route, connecting the Gulf of Mexico with Lake Erie....
. It is a north–south route that was an original United States highway of 1926. It is often referred to as Corridor G east of US 23 and KY 80 in Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
to Interstate 64
Interstate 64
Interstate 64 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Its western terminus is at I-70, U.S. 40, and U.S. 61 in Wentzville, Missouri. Its eastern terminus is at an interchange with I-264 and I-664 at Bowers Hill in Chesapeake, Virginia. As I-64 is concurrent with...
at Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of West Virginia. It is located at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers in Kanawha County. As of the 2010 census, it has a population of 51,400, and its metropolitan area 304,214. It is the county seat of Kanawha County.Early...
.
Kentucky
US 119 is a two and four-lane highway running from PinevillePineville, Kentucky
Pineville is a city in Bell County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,093 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Bell County. It is located on a small strip of land between the Cumberland River and Pine Mountain.-History:...
at U.S. Route 25E
U.S. Route 25E
U.S. Route 25E is the eastern branch of U.S. Route 25 from Newport, Tennessee, where US 25 splits into US 25E and US 25W, to North Corbin, Kentucky, where the two highways rejoin...
to the West Virginia state line at South Williamson
South Williamson, Kentucky
South Williamson is an unincorporated town in the Appalachian Mountains of northeastern Pike County, Kentucky, borders with West Virginia. It is separated from Williamson, West Virginia by the Tug Fork River. The town is located 23 miles east of Pikeville, Kentucky and 28 miles southwest of...
.
From Pineville to US 23 (Country Music Highway) at Jenkins
Jenkins, Kentucky
As of the census of 2010, there were 2,203 people, 877 households, and 671 families residing in the city. The population density was 281.2 people per square mile . There were 1,122 housing units at an average density of 131.4 per square mile...
, it is part of Corridor F. During its concurrency from Jenkins north to Pikeville
Pikeville, Kentucky
Pikeville is a city in Pike County, Kentucky. The population was 6,903 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Pike County.-History:On March 25, 1822, the county's government officials decided to build a new county seat named Liberty, one and one-half mile below the mouth of the Russell Fork...
, where it departs eastward towards West Virginia, it is part of Corridor B. From US 23/KY 80 at Pikeville eastward towards the state line, it is part of Corridor G.
US 119 passes near Harlan
Harlan, Kentucky
Harlan is a city in Harlan County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,081 at the 2000 census and was estimated at 1,880 in 2007. It is the county seat of Harlan County.-History:...
and Pikeville
Pikeville, Kentucky
Pikeville is a city in Pike County, Kentucky. The population was 6,903 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Pike County.-History:On March 25, 1822, the county's government officials decided to build a new county seat named Liberty, one and one-half mile below the mouth of the Russell Fork...
.
West Virginia
U.S. Route 119 enters West Virginia from Kentucky via Corridor G, a four-lane limited-access highway stretching from WilliamsonWilliamson, West Virginia
Williamson is a city in Mingo County, West Virginia, USA, along the Tug Fork River. The population was 3,414 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Mingo County, and is the county's largest and most populous city. Williamson is home to Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College...
to Charleston
Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of West Virginia. It is located at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers in Kanawha County. As of the 2010 census, it has a population of 51,400, and its metropolitan area 304,214. It is the county seat of Kanawha County.Early...
. The earliest segment of Corridor G to open was in 1972 and was finished in 1997. Formerly, US 119 was a typical two-lane mountain highway. Old US 119 now comprises all or parts of US 52
U.S. Route 52
U.S. Route 52 is a United States highway that runs across the northern, eastern and southeastern regions of the United States. Contrary to most other even-numbered U.S...
, WV 44, WV 10, WV 17, WV 85, WV 3, WV 94 and WV 61.
The US route becomes a mostly two-lane highway north of Charleston, having functionally been replaced by Interstate 79
Interstate 79
Interstate 79 is an Interstate Highway in the eastern United States, designated from Interstate 77 in Charleston, West Virginia to Pennsylvania Route 5 and Pennsylvania Route 290 in Erie, Pennsylvania...
. Compared to its replacement, US 119 takes a rather winding course. A trip from the Charleston
Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of West Virginia. It is located at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers in Kanawha County. As of the 2010 census, it has a population of 51,400, and its metropolitan area 304,214. It is the county seat of Kanawha County.Early...
area to the Morgantown
Morgantown, West Virginia
Morgantown is a city in Monongalia County, West Virginia. It is the county seat of Monongalia County. Placed along the banks of the Monongahela River, Morgantown is the largest city in North-Central West Virginia, and the base of the Morgantown metropolitan area...
area (I-79/US 119 Exit #1 to I-68 Exit #1) is 147 miles (236.6 km) via I-79 and 182 miles (292.9 km) via US 119. The travel time is about double taking US 119, over 4 hours instead of about 2 hours.
From Charleston, US 119 heads roughly east along the Elk River
Elk River (West Virginia)
The Elk River is a tributary of the Kanawha River, long, in central West Virginia in the United States. Via the Kanawha and Ohio Rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River.-Course:...
to Clendenin
Clendenin, West Virginia
Clendenin is a town in Kanawha County, West Virginia along the Elk River. The population was 1,227 at the 2010 census. Clendenin was incorporated in 1904 and named for the Clendenins, an early pioneer family in the Kanawha River Valley. Charleston, WV retains the namesake of George Clendenin's...
, where it turns north for 29 miles (46.7 km) to Spencer
Spencer, West Virginia
Spencer is a city in Roane County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 2,352 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Roane County. Spencer is the home of the annual West Virginia Black Walnut Festival. Points of interest include Charles Fork Lake, Chrystal Water and Power...
. At Spencer, it begins to head east with US 33
U.S. Route 33
U.S. Route 33 is a United States federal highway that runs northwest-southeast for 709 miles from northern Indiana to Richmond, Virginia, passing through Ohio and West Virginia en route. Although most odd-numbered U.S...
for 81.4 miles (131 km). Along the way, it passes through Glenville
Glenville, West Virginia
Glenville is a town in and the county seat of Gilmer County, West Virginia, United States, along the Little Kanawha River. The population was 1,544 at the 2000 census. It is the home of Glenville State College.-History:...
and Weston
Weston, West Virginia
Weston is a city in Lewis County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 4,317 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Lewis County, and home to the West Virginia Museum of American Glass.-History:...
, where it intersects parent route US 19
U.S. Route 19
U.S. Route 19 is a north–south U.S. Highway. Despite encroaching Interstate Highways, the route has remained a long-haul route, connecting the Gulf of Mexico with Lake Erie....
and replacement I-79
Interstate 79
Interstate 79 is an Interstate Highway in the eastern United States, designated from Interstate 77 in Charleston, West Virginia to Pennsylvania Route 5 and Pennsylvania Route 290 in Erie, Pennsylvania...
. From I-79 to WV 20 at Buckhannon
Buckhannon, West Virginia
Buckhannon is the only incorporated city in, and the county seat of, Upshur County, West Virginia, United States, and is located along the Buckhannon River. The population was 5,725 at the 2000 census. Buckhannon is home to West Virginia Wesleyan College and the West Virginia Strawberry Festival,...
, US 33/US 119 follow Corridor H.
At Buckhannon
Buckhannon, West Virginia
Buckhannon is the only incorporated city in, and the county seat of, Upshur County, West Virginia, United States, and is located along the Buckhannon River. The population was 5,725 at the 2000 census. Buckhannon is home to West Virginia Wesleyan College and the West Virginia Strawberry Festival,...
, US 119 again turns north — first with WV 20 then by itself as it travels to Philippi
Philippi, West Virginia
Philippi is a city in — and the county seat of — Barbour County, West Virginia, USA. The population was 2,870 at the 2000 census. In 1861, the city was the site of the Battle of Philippi, known as "The Philippi Races"...
. At Philippi it joins with US 250
U.S. Route 250
U.S. Route 250 is a route of the United States Numbered Highway System, and is a spur of U.S. Route 50. It currently runs for from Sandusky, Ohio to Richmond, Virginia. It passes through the states of Virginia, West Virginia, and Ohio. It goes through the cities of Richmond, Virginia,...
for 12 miles (19.3 km). From there, US 119 heads on its own through Grafton
Grafton, West Virginia
Grafton is a city in, and county seat of, Taylor County, West Virginia, USA. The population was 5,489 at the 2000 census. The only two national cemeteries in West Virginia are located in Grafton. Mother's Day was founded in Grafton on May 10, 1908; the city is the home to the International Mother's...
and towards Morgantown
Morgantown, West Virginia
Morgantown is a city in Monongalia County, West Virginia. It is the county seat of Monongalia County. Placed along the banks of the Monongahela River, Morgantown is the largest city in North-Central West Virginia, and the base of the Morgantown metropolitan area...
.
Just south of Morgantown
Morgantown, West Virginia
Morgantown is a city in Monongalia County, West Virginia. It is the county seat of Monongalia County. Placed along the banks of the Monongahela River, Morgantown is the largest city in North-Central West Virginia, and the base of the Morgantown metropolitan area...
, US 119 intersects Interstate 68's
Interstate 68
Interstate 68 is a Interstate highway in the U.S. states of West Virginia and Maryland, connecting in Morgantown to in Hancock. is also Corridor E of the Appalachian Development Highway System. From 1965 until the freeway's construction was completed in 1991, it was designated as...
Exit #1, immediately east of its end at I-79
Interstate 79
Interstate 79 is an Interstate Highway in the eastern United States, designated from Interstate 77 in Charleston, West Virginia to Pennsylvania Route 5 and Pennsylvania Route 290 in Erie, Pennsylvania...
. US 119 then enters downtown Morgantown, again meeting with US 19
U.S. Route 19
U.S. Route 19 is a north–south U.S. Highway. Despite encroaching Interstate Highways, the route has remained a long-haul route, connecting the Gulf of Mexico with Lake Erie....
. It leaves town via the narrow and winding North Willey Street and congested Mileground.
Just after the Mileground, US 119 intersects with the Monongalia County Route 857 connector to I-68
Interstate 68
Interstate 68 is a Interstate highway in the U.S. states of West Virginia and Maryland, connecting in Morgantown to in Hancock. is also Corridor E of the Appalachian Development Highway System. From 1965 until the freeway's construction was completed in 1991, it was designated as...
Exit #7, which effectively allows through traffic to bypass Morgantown. US 119 finally turns north to enter 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...
near Point Marion
Point Marion, Pennsylvania
Point Marion is a borough in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,333 at the 2000 census. It is served by the Albert Gallatin Area School District.Point Marion is located at the confluence of the Monongahela and Cheat Rivers...
. The Hamilton Farm Petroglyphs
Hamilton Farm Petroglyphs
Hamilton Farm Petroglyphs, also known as Pictured Rocks and Indian Picture Rocks, are a series of ancient petroglyphs located U.S. Route 119 southeast of Ringgold, in Monongalia County of northern West Virginia...
are along this section. Much of this last stretch of US 119 heading towards Uniontown, Pennsylvania
Uniontown, Pennsylvania
Uniontown is a city in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, southeast of Pittsburgh and part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. Population in 1900, 7,344; in 1910, 13,344; in 1920, 15,692; and in 1940, 21,819. The population was 10,372 at the 2010 census...
is already bypassed by traffic using I-68
Interstate 68
Interstate 68 is a Interstate highway in the U.S. states of West Virginia and Maryland, connecting in Morgantown to in Hancock. is also Corridor E of the Appalachian Development Highway System. From 1965 until the freeway's construction was completed in 1991, it was designated as...
, Monongalia County Route 857 and PA 857
Pennsylvania Route 857
Pennsylvania Route 857 is an long state highway located within Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States. The southern terminus of the route is at the West Virginia state line southeast of Gans in Springhill Township, where the route continues south as County Route 857, a secondary state...
. While this alternate route is longer, it has a better alignment and is faster to travel.
Pennsylvania
US 119 travels through ConnellsvilleConnellsville, Pennsylvania
Connellsville is a city in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, USA, 57 miles southeast of Pittsburgh on the Youghiogheny River, a tributary of the Monongahela River. It is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. In 1890, 5,629 people lived in Connellsville, which was a borough at that time...
, Greensburg
Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Greensburg is a city in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States, and a part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The city is named after Nathanael Greene, a major general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War...
, and Punxsutawney
Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
Punxsutawney is a borough in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, United States, northeast of Pittsburgh. In 1907, Punxsutawney and Claysville boroughs were consolidated and incorporated as Greater Punxsutawney. A high-grade soft coal was mined in the surrounding region...
, and bypasses Uniontown
Uniontown, Pennsylvania
Uniontown is a city in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, southeast of Pittsburgh and part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. Population in 1900, 7,344; in 1910, 13,344; in 1920, 15,692; and in 1940, 21,819. The population was 10,372 at the 2010 census...
and Indiana. There are numerous other boroughs and villages along its 133 miles (214 km) route in the Keystone State.
The southern entrance of US 119 is at the West Virginia state line one-half mile south of Point Marion
Point Marion, Pennsylvania
Point Marion is a borough in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,333 at the 2000 census. It is served by the Albert Gallatin Area School District.Point Marion is located at the confluence of the Monongahela and Cheat Rivers...
. The northern 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...
two miles (3 km) south of DuBois, Pennsylvania
DuBois, Pennsylvania
DuBois is a city in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, northeast of Pittsburgh. It is the principal city in the DuBois, Pa Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
.
US 119's control cities include Morgantown, West Virginia
Morgantown, West Virginia
Morgantown is a city in Monongalia County, West Virginia. It is the county seat of Monongalia County. Placed along the banks of the Monongahela River, Morgantown is the largest city in North-Central West Virginia, and the base of the Morgantown metropolitan area...
, Uniontown, Connellsville, New Stanton
New Stanton, Pennsylvania
New Stanton is a borough in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,906 at the 2000 census. New Stanton is often used as a control city in western parts of Pennsylvania, as I-70 joins the Pennsylvania Turnpike eastbound towards Breezewood, Pennsylvania in New...
(for northbound traffic only), Greensburg, Blairsville
Blairsville, Pennsylvania
-External links:* * *...
, Indiana, Punxsutawney, and DuBois.
West Virginia
The routing of US 119 south of CharlestonCharleston, West Virginia
Charleston is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of West Virginia. It is located at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers in Kanawha County. As of the 2010 census, it has a population of 51,400, and its metropolitan area 304,214. It is the county seat of Kanawha County.Early...
changed drastically with the opening of Corridor G from 1972 to 1997.
The original routing southeast of capital city was WV 61 to Marmet
Marmet, West Virginia
Marmet is a city in Kanawha County, West Virginia, USA, along the Kanawha River.-Geography:Marmet is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.5 square miles , of which, 1.4 square miles of it is land and 0.1 square miles of it is...
, where it took WV 94 southwest to Racine
Racine, West Virginia
Racine is an unincorporated census-designated place in Boone County, West Virginia, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 256. The post office was opened on December 10, 1881, having been named by the Sayre family whose ancestors lived in Racine, Ohio. Racine is home to the...
. From Racine to Danville
Danville, West Virginia
Danville is a town in Boone County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 550 at the 2000 census. Danville was incorporated in 1911 by the Circuit Court and named for Dan Rock, the town's first postmaster...
, it followed today's WV 3 and onward to Madison
Madison, West Virginia
Madison is a city in Boone County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 3,076 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Boone County.-History:...
. From Madison south to Logan
Logan, West Virginia
Logan is a city in Logan County, West Virginia, United States, along the Guyandotte River. The population was 1,779 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Logan County.-History:...
, it followed today's WV 17.
South of Logan to Mountain View
Mountain View, Logan County, West Virginia
Mountain View is an unincorporated community in Logan County, West Virginia, United States. Mountain View is located near Island Creek and the junction of U.S. Route 52 and West Virginia Route 44, west-northwest of Gilbert....
, it followed WV 44. At Mountain View, it junctioned US 52 and overlapped it northwest to Williamson
Williamson, West Virginia
Williamson is a city in Mingo County, West Virginia, USA, along the Tug Fork River. The population was 3,414 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Mingo County, and is the county's largest and most populous city. Williamson is home to Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College...
, where it entered Kentucky.