Pennsylvania Route 116

Pennsylvania Route 116 (PA 116) is an east–west route located in southern Pennsylvania. The route begins at Pennsylvania Route 16 in Carroll Valley 1.5 miles (2.4 km) north of the Pennsylvania-Maryland state line. It passes through the historic Civil War town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in Adams County, intersecting U.S. Route 30 in the town center, before terminating at US 30 in West Manchester Township, west of York in York County. Major junctions of this road include U.S. Route 15 in Straban Township east of Gettysburg and Pennsylvania Route 94 in Hanover.

Route description

Adams County

PA 116 begins at an intersection with PA 16 in Carroll Valley, Adams County, heading north on two-lane undivided Fairfield Road. The road heads through forested areas with some housing developments to the west of the road. The route runs through a mix of fields and residential subdivisions before heading into Hamiltonban Township and turning northeast through rural areas with some commercial development. PA 116 continues into Fairfield and passes homes along Main Street. The route heads back into Hamiltonban Township and becomes Fairfield Road again, continuing through agricultural areas with some woods and homes. The road enters Highland Township and passes through more rural areas, curving more to the east. PA 116 crosses the Marsh Creek into Cumberland Township, running through more farmland before rural residential and business development. The road runs near portions of Gettysburg National Military Park prior to entering Gettysburg and becoming West Middle Street. The route heads into residential areas and turns east, reaching the commercial downtown. Upon reaching the intersection with US 15 Business, PA 116 turns north to form a concurrency with that route for a block on Baltimore Street. At Lincoln Square, PA 116 turns east to join US 30 on York Street, passing more downtown businesses. US 30 splits to the northeast and PA 116 heads east on Hanover Street, heading into residential areas.^[1][2]

The route crosses the Rock Creek into Straban Township and becomes Hanover Road, running near a portion of Gettysburg National Military Park as it heads into areas of woods and farms with a few homes. The road comes to an interchange with the US 15 freeway and continues through more agricultural areas with some residences as it continues into Mount Pleasant Township. Farther east, PA 116 enters Bonneauville and passes homes along with a few businesses. The route heads back into Mount Pleasant Township and passes through more farmland with occasional development, running through Square Corner. The road runs through a portion of Union Township and briefly becomes the border between Mount Pleasant Township to the north and Union Township to the south before crossing the South Branch Conewago Creek into Conewago Township. PA 116 runs through Brushtown and heads through a mix of farmland and residential development prior to curving northeast into McSherrystown. Here, the road becomes Main Street and is lined with several homes. PA 116 turns southeast on South Oxford Avenue, becoming the border between McSherrystown to the west and Conewago Township to the east. The route curves east fully into Conewago Township and becomes 3rd Street, passing several residences in the community of Midway.^[1][2]

York County

PA 116 crosses into Hanover, York County and continues through residential areas. The route splits from 3rd Street by heading southeast on High Street, passing homes and businesses. The road crosses a York Railway line before reaching an intersection with PA 194. At this point, PA 116 forms a concurrency with PA 194 by turning northeast onto a one-way pair that follows two-way Frederick Street eastbound and one-way Chestnut Street westbound. In the commercial center, the one-way pair crosses PA 94, with northbound PA 194/PA 116 becoming Broadway at this point. A short distance later, PA 116 splits from PA 194 by turning east onto two-way York Street and passes more homes, crossing into Penn Township. The route comes to an intersection with PA 216 and turns northeast into a mix of farmland and industry. The road crosses a CSX railroad line in York Road, at which point it enters Heidelberg Township and becomes Hanover Road. PA 116 runs through agricultural areas with some development and woods, passing through Ambau. The route crosses the West Branch Codorus Creek into North Codorus Township and becomes York Road, passing through more rural areas with residential development, crossing another York Railway line.^[1][3]

The road intersects the northern terminus of PA 516 and turns north, crossing the West Branch Codorus Creek into Spring Grove. Here, PA 116 becomes Main Street and runs through an industrial area, crossing a York Railway line. Farther north, the route heads into residential and commercial areas, crossing another York Railway line. After a roundabout, the road forms the border between Spring Grove to the west and Jackson Township to the east, passing more development. PA 116 fully enters Jackson Township and crosses the York Railway again, continuing northeast through agricultural areas with a few housing devleopments as it passes through Nashville. The route continues into West Manchester Township and reaches its terminus at an intersection with US 30.^[1][3]

Major intersections

References

• Pennsylvania's Civil War Heritage magazine