I-99/US 15 Update

Over the past 30 years, NYSDOT and PennDOT have been working together to bring US 15 up to interstate standards. Only recently has it been determined that US 15 would be designated as Interstate 99, a number that has caused controversy on a number of fronts, mainly due to how the number was chosen (written into law) and its being "out of place" in the interstate numbering system. I-99 has already been designated from Bedford to Bald Eagle in Pennsylvania, and signs are posted along US 15 announcing it as the "Future I-99 Corridor." I-99 will be built or designated along the US 220 corridor from Bald Eagle to Williamsport (Some sections of US 220 in this area are already at Interstate standards) where it will meet up with and follow US 15 north toward Painted Post in New York.

This page will focus on the progress and projects along the US 15 corridor between Williamsport and Painted Post. Several sections are already at interstate standards and some even have 65 MPH posted speed limits. Many of these sections were upgraded during the 1990's.

Last Updated 10 December 2003

I-86/NY 15/NY 17 Interchange: The interchange is not at interstate standards for US 15 as ramps are controlled by traffic signals. There are plans in the works to change this, however. Work to build a stack interchange is slated to begin in 2004. More information about this project can be found at the project's official website. Painted Post (I-86/NY 15/NY 17) to Presho (Steuben CR 5): Except for the I-86/NY 15/NY 17 interchange, this section was built to interstate standards in the mid-1970's. Presho (Steuben CR 5) to Tioga (PA 287): Currently carries two way traffic with at-grade intersections. This is also the only section, excluding the I-86/NY 15/NY 17 interchange, with traffic signals (PA 49 in Lawrenceville and PA 328 in Tioga Center). This section will be the last to be upgraded. However, work has already begun. In 2003, PennDOT built the overpasses at what will become the PA 49 interchange in Lawrenceville. Construction of this section, as a whole, will be a joint effort between PennDOT (3 miles) and NYSDOT (5 miles). PennDOT has created the designs for the entire section, but each state's Department of Transportation will build their respective section. A welcome center will also be built for northbound drivers in New York. The new four lane, interstate standard highway will be built approximately one mile west of the present US 15. Ghost ramps have been in place at the PA 287 interchange for some time, and the interchange will be reonfigured to accomodate the new highway, which will connect with the existing US 15 just south of the Presho (Steuben CR 5) interchange. When completed, the existing two lane road will likely become PA 287. Tioga (PA 287) to Mansfield (US 6): The twinning of the Super-2 between the north end of the Mansfield bypass and Tioga was completed in December 2002. A short, mile long super-2 section still remains at the north end, and won't likely be twinned until the Tioga-Presho section is built. A Pennsylvania Welcome Center for southbound travellers opened in April 2003. Twinning of the Mansfield bypass is still in progress and is not expected to be completed until September 2004, the same time that construction of the Mansfield-Blossburg section is expected to be completed. Mansfield (US 6) to Blossburg: In April 2002, ground was broken on construction of a 4 lane, interstate standard section between Blossburg and the southern end of the Mansfield Bypass. Construction on this section is expected to be completed in the fall of 2004. When completed, US 15 will be routed onto the new highway and PA 660 will be extended east to US 6 in Mansfield. PennDOT has established a toll-free number for those who have questions or concerns about this upgrade project. That number is 1-877-578-8007 and is available 24 hours a day. Blossburg to Buttonwood (PA 284): US 15 is at interstate standards and has a posted speed limit of 65 MPH. The section from Buttonwood to Liberty was opened in November 1998. Ghost ramps indicating parts of the old alignment at Buttonwood (PA 284) are still present. The section between Liberty (PA 414) and Blossburg was the most recent section completed, opening to traffic in November 2000. Buttonwood (PA 284) to Trout Run (PA 14): Currently four lanes, but not at interstate standards. The northbound lanes are at interstate standards with the exception of the PA 184 intersection, which is at-grade. Southbound, in addition to the PA 184 intersection, US 15 winds down a steep hill with a 5% grade (Large trucks have a 40 MPH speed limit). The southbound lanes serviced both directions of travel on US 15 until June 1998 when the northbound lanes were built and opened to traffic. The current plan is to build a new pair of northbound lanes east of the existing pair, and switching the existing pair to southbound lanes. The current southbound lanes would then be relegated to a local road or an extension of PA 184. Trout Run (PA 14) to Williamsport (I-180/US 220): US 15 is at interstate standards. Sections in this area were completed as follows: Williamsport to Hepburnville in October 1990, Hepburnville to Perryville (PA 973) in October 1994, and Perryville to Trout Run in October 1996.

There is speculation that once the I-99 designation goes into effect, US 15 will be truncated to I-180 and US 220 in Williamsport. The NY 15 designation will probably extend south via NY 417 and Steuben CR 73 and the current two-lane US 15 where it would likely become PA 287 at the state line.

Additional Links...

The Susquehanna Beltway's official website provides information about the 9 mile section of US 220 between Jersey Shore and Williamsport and its upgrade status.

PAHighways.com's history of I-99, including exit listings and links to other related sites.

Sources of Some Information: Steve Anderson, Scott M. Kozel, PennDOT, Adam Prince, Len Pundt, David Slauenwhite

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