U.S. Route 20 (US 20) is an east–west United States Numbered Highway in Pennsylvania, which clips the northwestern corner of the state, running entirely in Erie County. While it is part of the nation's longest road, it features the shortest segment of any two-digit U.S. Route in the commonwealth. Although bypassed by Interstate 90 (I-90) as the primary through route in the area, heavy traffic has led to nearly the entire highway being widened to four lanes in width.
Route description
US 20 westbound past PA 89 in North East
US 20 travels for about 45 miles (72 km) through Pennsylvania's Great Lakes region. For most of its journey, it closely parallels a heavily traveled CSX Transportation rail line, which also serves Amtrak passenger trains. The highway enters the state under the moniker of West Ridge Road eastward from the Ohio border, as it journeys through Springfield Township, Girard Township, Fairview Township, and Millcreek Township. This section of road was widened to encompass a mostly four-lane setup after a pair of 1938 and 1946 infrastructural projects, owing to the heavy truck traffic between Erie and Cleveland, Ohio. A 1952 project saw the remainder of the Millcreek Township section of the route widened to four lanes.
At the intersection with Pennsylvania Route 832 (PA 832), just outside the Erie city limits, US 20 becomes West 26th Street. The highway then passes through an industrial and commercial corridor that represents a 1946 alignment change, which saw 26th Street extended to avoid the route's former complicated passage along East Avenue. Soon after a major interchange with Greengarden Boulevard, the highway becomes two lanes, as it passes through Erie's old residential neighborhoods. After a junction with US 19 just south of the city center, it becomes East 26th Street.
US 20 turns sharply northward as Broad Street at the Bayfront Connector, as it resumes four-lane status temporarily. It then turns east again as Buffalo Road through Wesleyville and Harborcreek Township. This portion of road was widened to four lanes during a 1958 overhaul. In North East Township, US 20 becomes West Main Road. Within the town limits of North East, it becomes West Main Street until it reaches the town center at its intersection with PA 89, where it becomes East Main Street. Outside the town limits, it becomes East Main Road until it reaches Pennsylvania's border with New York. The portion of road around North East was widened to four lanes in 1971.
History
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Great Lakes Seaway Trail
Lake Erie Circle Tour
US 20 at Ohio border near West Springfield
US 6N near West Springfield
I-79 in Erie
US 19 in Erie
I-90 near North East
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