Starting at its western end at PA 44 in Tomb, PA 973 runs east along Tombs Run, then northeast along the North Fork of Tombs Run. It then heads east into Mifflin Township, following Mud Run and the First Fork of Larrys Creek before crossing Larrys Creek and PA 287, and turning north into the borough of Salladasburg. It follows Larrys Creek northeast into Anthony Township, where it leaves Larrys Creek and follows Stoney Gap Run into Lycoming Township.
PA 973 eastbound in Hepburn Township
There PA 973 follows Hoaglands Run east through the village of Quiggleville and hamlet of Perryville, passing a single offramp from southbound US 15 and overpasses carrying US 15 before crossing Lycoming Creek into Hepburn Township. Following Lycoming Creek southeast, PA 973 passes through the villages of Cogan Station and Hepburnville, then turns northeast to follow Mill Creek to the hamlet of Balls Mills, and on into Eldred Township. There it passes through the village of Warrensville, then the Loyalsock State Game Farm, and crosses Loyalsock Creek just before it meets PA 87 at Loyalsockville and its eastern end.
History
The destroyed PA 973 bridge over Loyalsock Creek, seen from PA 87
On September 8, 2011 the bridge at the eastern end of the highway over Loyalsock Creek (known as the Slabtown Bridge) was destroyed by flooding. Heavy rain from the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee raised the creek "higher than anything we've seen in recorded history", according to a Lycoming County official. The western portion of the bridge collapsed.[2] A replacement bridge was completed in November 2012 at a cost of $3 million.[3]
PA 44 in Watson Township
Future I-99 / US 15 in Lycoming Township
PA 87 in Loyalsockville
