Pennsylvania Route 73

PA Route 73
Route information
Maintained by PennDOT
Length:	62.319 mi[1] (100.293 km)
Existed:	1928[2][3] – present
Major junctions
West end:	PA 61 in Leesport
	US 222 in Maiden Creek PA 12 in Breezy Corner PA 100 near Boyertown PA 29 in Schewenksville US 202 in Blue Bell PA 309 in Springfield PA 611 near Jenkintown US 1 in Philadelphia US 13 in Philadelphia I-95 in Philadelphia
East end:	Route 73 in Philadelphia
Location
Counties:	Berks, Montgomery, Philadelphia
Highway system
Pennsylvania State Route System Interstate US State Scenic Byways Legislative ← PA 72 PA 74 →

Pennsylvania Route 73 (PA 73) is a 62.32-mile (100.29 km) long east–west state highway in southeastern Pennsylvania. It runs from PA 61 in Leesport southeast to the New Jersey state line on the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge over the Delaware River in Philadelphia, where it continues as New Jersey Route 73. The route passes through rural areas of Berks County, crossing U.S. Route 222 (US 222) in Maiden Creek before continuing southeast through Oley and Boyertown. PA 73 continues into Montgomery County and intersects PA 100 in Gilbertsville and PA 29 in Schwenksville before it continues into the northwest suburbs of Philadelphia. The route passes through Skippack and intersects US 202 in Center Square, PA 309 in Springfield Township, and PA 611 near Jenkintown. PA 73 continues through Northeast Philadelphia on Cottman Avenue, crossing US 1 (Roosevelt Boulevard) and US 13 (Frankford Avenue) before coming to an interchange with Interstate 95 (I-95) near the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge.

Predating the Interstate and U.S. Highway Systems, the Skippack Pike, a modern section of the route, served as the primary connector between Philadelphia and the northwest suburbs. The Skippack Pike dates back to 1713 and was completed as a turnpike in 1855. Legislative Route 197 connected Reading to Philadelphia along the PA 73 corridor in 1911. PA 73 was designated in 1928 to run from PA 23 near Blue Ball to US 1 in Philadelphia, heading north to Reading and northeast to Oley before heading southeast to Philadelphia. The route was extended east to the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge after it opened in 1929. The portion of route between Leesport and Maiden Creek became the eastern part of PA 383 by 1930. PA 73 was shifted to its current alignment in eastern Montgomery County in the 1950s. The western terminus of PA 73 was realigned to Leesport by 1966, with the route between Blue Ball and Reading becoming PA 625 with most of the remainder between Reading and Oley now unnumbered. PA 73 was realigned to its current routing to Tacony-Palmyra Bridge in the 1960s, having previously followed Frankford Avenue and Robbins and Levick streets on a one-way pair.

Route description

Berks County

PA 73 in Berks County, near its western terminus

PA 73 begins at an intersection with PA 61 in Ontelaunee Township, Berks County to the north of Reading and the southeast of Leesport. From this intersection, the route heads northeast on two-lane undivided Lake Shore Drive past a mix of farm fields and development. The road heads east into wooded areas and runs along the south shore of Lake Ontelaunee, where it crosses Maiden Creek. Past the lake, PA 73 crosses into Maidencreek Township and comes to a bridge over Norfolk Southern's Evansville Industrial Track as it enters agricultural areas with some homes. The route heads east-southeast and crosses US 222 in the community of Maiden Creek. PA 73 continues along Main Street and runs through residential areas in the community of Blandon, where it crosses Norfolk Southern's Reading Line at-grade. Past Blandon, the road curves south into forested mountain areas and enters Ruscombmanor Township as Blandon Road. The route turns southeast through wooded areas with some residential and commercial development and intersects PA 12 in Breezy Corner. PA 73 continues east through rural land to Oley Township, where it reaches a junction with PA 662.^[4][5]

At this point, PA 662 joins PA 73 for a concurrency, and the two routes follow Memorial Highway through farms and woods before running past a few businesses in the community of Oley. At the east end of Oley, PA 662 splits to the southeast and PA 73 continues east on West Philadelphia Avenue past residential development. The route heads into a mix of farmland and woodland with some homes, curving southeast and passing through the community of Pleasantville. The road enters Earl Township and runs through forested areas with some fields and residences, passing through Shanesville. PA 73 heads east and crosses into Colebrookdale Township, where it makes a turn to the south. The route runs through more rural areas with some homes and curves southeast near Gablesville. The road continues east into the borough of Boyertown and becomes lined with homes. PA 73 heads southeast into the commercial downtown and intersec ts the eastern terminus of PA 562, at which point it becomes East Philadelphia Avenue. The route crosses the Colebrookdale Railroad and continues past more residences in the eastern part of Boyertown.^[4][5]

Montgomery County

PA 73 westbound in Whitpain Township past Butler Pike.

PA 73 crosses into Douglass Township in Montgomery County and continues along East Philadelphia Avenue into commercial areas, widening into a four-lane divided highway as it reaches an interchange with PA 100. Past this interchange, the route becomes a three-lane road with a center left-turn lane and passes a mix of homes and businesses in the community of Gilbertsville. PA 73 narrows to two lanes and continues to an intersection with Swamp Pike, at which point it turns east onto Big Road and runs past residential subdivisions. The road enters New Hanover Township and passes through a mix of fields and woods with some development. In the community of Layfield, the route intersects PA 663, with that route joining for a short concurrency before it heads northeast. Following this, PA 73 runs southeast through farmland with some trees and homes, passing through New Hanover Square. The road heads into Upper Frederick Township, where it heads through rural land with residences and runs through Frederick and Obelisk. The route continues into Lower Frederick Township and passes through farmland with some development before it reaches a roundabout at PA 29 in the community of Zieglerville. Here, PA 73 turns southeast to join PA 29 on Gravel Pike, running through wooded areas with some homes and crossing Swamp Creek. The road becomes Main Street and heads south on the border between the borough of Schwenksville to the west and Lower Frederick Township to the east, running between wooded neighborhoods to the west and the Perkiomen Creek and Perkiomen Trail to the east. PA 29/PA 73 fully enters Schwenksville and runs past homes and businesses, turning to the southeast.^[4][6]

At the south end of the borough, PA 73 splits from PA 29 by turning northeast onto Skippack Pike and immediately crossing the Perkiomen Creek into Perkiomen Township. The road turns southeast through wooded areas on the east bank of the creek and crosses the East Branch Perkiomen Creek into Skippack Township. The route curves east away from the Perkiomen Creek and runs through a mix of farmland and woodland with some homes to the north of Graterford Prison, curving southeast. PA 73 comes to an intersection with PA 113 in a commercial area and continues through the community of Skippack, where it is lined with homes and businesses. The road passes through wooded areas and fields within Evansburg State Park, where it crosses Skippack Creek. The route continues past suburban residential development with some woods and fields as it enters Worcester Township and comes to an intersection with PA 363 in the community of Worcester. Past this intersection, PA 73 runs through a mix of fields, woods, and homes and comes to a bridge under I-476 (Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension) immediately before it crosses North Wales Road into Whitpain Township in the community of Belfry. The road crosses CSX's Stony Creek Branch and passes residential neighborhoods as it comes to a junction with US 202 in the community of Center Square. The route continues through suburban residential areas with some businesses and runs through Blue Bell. PA 73 crosses into Whitemarsh Township at the Butler Pike intersection and runs through a mix of fields and woods with some homes, passing under the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-276). The road crosses the Wissahickon Creek in Fort Washington State Park before it comes to Bethlehem Pike in the community of Whitemarsh.^[4][6]

PA 73 follows Bethlehem Pike south under Norfolk Southern's Morrisville Line and widens to a four-lane road. The route splits from Bethlehem Pike by heading southeast onto two-lane undivided Church Road, passing suburban neighborhoods and entering Springfield Township. The road widens into a divided highway briefly as it has an interchange with the PA 309 freeway. PA 73 continues past homes as a two-lane undivided road and enters Cheltenham Township, where it runs to the northeast of Westminster Theological Seminary and a cemetery. The route passes to the northeast of Arcadia University before it comes to an intersection with PA 152 and passes under Easton Road near Glenside. The route continues southeast through wooded residential neighborhoods in Wyncote and comes to an intersection with Washington Lane. At this point, PA 73 turns northeast onto four-lane Washington Lane and passes near more homes before coming to a bridge over SEPTA's Main Line. At the southern tip of the borough of Jenkintown, the route turns southeast onto four-lane Township Line Road and forms the border between Abington Township to the northeast and Cheltenham Township to the southwest, passing multifamily residential development as it comes to an intersection with PA 611 (Old York Road). The road narrows to two lanes and continues past wooded residential development in Elkins Park. PA 73 passes some businesses before it runs near more homes. The route gains a center left-turn lane and runs past residential and commercial development, passing to the northeast of Einstein Medical Center Elkins Park.^[4][6]

Philadelphia

Cottman (PA 73) and Frankford (US 13) avenues, a central location in Northeast Philadelphia

At the Laurel Avenue intersection, PA 73 becomes Cottman Avenue and becomes a three-lane road with one eastbound lane and two westbound lane that forms the border between the city of Philadelphia to the northeast and Cheltenham Township, Montgomery County to the southwest. The route passes between Burholme Park in Philadelphia and homes in Cheltenham Township. The road passes more homes and fully enters Philadelphia upon passing under SEPTA's Fox Chase Line near the Ryers station in the Ryers neighborhood. PA 73 heads into Northeast Philadelphia and becomes a four-lane road as it runs through commercial areas, reaching a bridge over CSX's Trenton Subdivision.^[4][7] The route intersects PA 232 (Oxford Avenue) at an intersection locally known as Five Points.^[4][7][8] The road heads past a mix of homes and businesses, running between the Burholme neighborhood to the northeast and the Lawncrest neighborhood to the southwest. PA 73 gains a center left-turn lane and crosses Castor Avenue near the Rhawnhurst neighborhood. The route continues past several shopping centers and intersects Bustleton Avenue, at which point it passes southwest of Roosevelt Mall. PA 73 comes to an interchange with US 1 (Roosevelt Boulevard), intersecting the local lanes at-grade and passing over the express lanes.^[4][7]

Following this, the road continues into the residential Mayfair neighborhood as a four-lane undivided road. The route enters business areas and comes to an intersection with US 13 (Frankford Avenue). Past this, PA 73 continues southeast past more dense residential areas to the southwest of the Holmesburg neighborhood. The road heads into the Tacony neighborhood and passes more homes and businesses. At the Torresdale Avenue intersection, the route narrows to three lanes, with one eastbound lane and two westbound lanes. PA 73 enters industrial areas and crosses under Amtrak's Northeast Corridor. The route splits from Cottman Avenue by turning southwest onto State Road, which has two eastbound lanes and one westbound lanes. At this intersection, Cottman Avenue has access from a ramp leading from northbound I-95. PA 73 passes near urban homes and commercial development and comes to a ramp to northbound I-95 at the Princeton Avenue intersection. The route turns south onto New State Road, with State Road continuing southwest to provide access to I-95, and passes under I-95 before it curves southwest to parallel the interstate as a four-lane road through industrial areas. PA 73 reaches an interchange at Levick Street and the approach to the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge, at which point the route heads southeast onto the bridge over the Delaware River. PA 73 ends on the bridge at the New Jersey border, at which point Route 73 continues into Palmyra, New Jersey.^[4][7]

History

Former Reading designation of PA 73.

The Skippack Pike, a portion of PA 73 between Skippack and Bethlehem Pike in Whitemarsh, dates back to 1713, when settlers in Skippack petitioned Philadelphia officials for a road to their community for purposes of hauling grain to the mill in Whitemarsh.^[9] During the American Revolutionary War, George Washington's army suffered a defeat at the Battle of Germantown on October 4, 1777 and had to encamp along the Skippack Pike until October 8. The Americans later marched east on the road while preparing for a counterattack at the Battle of White Marsh.^[10] The Skippack Turnpike Company was incorporated in 1845 to construct a turnpike from Whitemarsh to Skippack but the project was abandoned after several efforts. In 1853, a second charter was granted and the turnpike was completed in 1855 near Worcester Township.^[9]

When the state began maintenance over roads via the Sproul Road Bill that was signed on May 31, 1911,^[11] the system did not include the direct Reading–Philadelphia routes that PA 73 and US 422 are today. PA 73 was adopted as Legislative Route 197, the main route that connected Philadelphia and its northwest suburbs. Legislative Routes paved the way for Pennsylvania's first Traffic Routes in 1924^[12] and a new set of routes, including PA 73, that were added in the late 1920s.^[13][14]

In the original 1928 routing, PA 73 ran between PA 23 near Blue Ball and US 1 (Roosevelt Boulevard) in Philadelphia. The route followed the New Holland Road north through Bowmansville and Knauers to Reading, where it passed through the city along US 222 (Lancaster Avenue), Bingaman Street, Chestnut Street, and US 422 (Perkiomen Avenue). From Reading, PA 73 split from US 422 in Mount Penn and followed Carsonia Avenue and Friedensburg Road to Oley, where it picked up its current routing to Cheltenham Township. Here, PA 73 continued east along Church Road, Township Line Road, and Cottman Avenue to US 1.^[3][15][16] Upon being designated, PA 73 was paved between south of Reading and Schwenksville and between Skippack and Philadelphia.^[3] After the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge was built in 1929,^[17] the eastern terminus was moved to its current location on the bridge at the New Jersey state line. It followed Cottman Avenue, US 13 (Frankford Avenue), and US 422 (Levick Street) to the bridge.^[18]

By 1930, PA 73 was paved in the Bowmansville area and from south of Reading to south of Angelica; the remainder of the route between Blue Ball and Reading was under construction at this time. The route was also paved between Schwenksville and Skippack. Also, the current route between US 120 (now PA 61) in Leesport and US 22 (now US 222) in Maiden Creek became a paved extension of PA 383, which continued west from Leesport to PA 83 (now PA 183) near Leinbachs.^[15] In the 1930s, PA 383 was realigned off the present-day route west of Ontelanuee Drive, having been rerouted to head north on Ontelaunee Drive. By 1940, the entire length of PA 73 was paved.^[19] The route was realigned to follow Greenwood Avenue from Church Road to Jenkintown, where it turned southeast onto Township Line Road. Also in the 1930s, US 422/PA 73 was shifted to follow Mineral Spring Road between Reading and Mount Penn.^[18] In 1950, PA 73 was moved to a straighter alignment to the east of Oley.^[20][21]

In the 1950s, PA 73 was routed onto the one-way pair of Robbins Street eastbound and Levick Street westbound between US 13 (Frankford Avenue) and the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge; the US 422 concurrency was removed as well. Also, the route was realigned to use Washington Lane between Church Road and Township Line Road. Between Reading and Mount Penn, US 422/PA 73 was shifted to the one-way pair of Perkiomen Avenue eastbound and Mineral Spring Road westbound while PA 73 was designated concurrent with westbound US 422 Alt. on Chestnut Street between Bingaman Street and US 422 in Reading.^[22] By 1966, PA 73 was realigned at Oley to follow its current alignment west to PA 61 in Leesport, replacing a portion of PA 383 between east of Leesport and Maiden Creek. The former alignment of PA 73 became PA 625 between PA 23 in Blue Ball and US 222 (now US 222 Bus.) in Reading with most of the remainder between Reading and Oley becoming unnumbered except along the concurrencies with US 222 and US 422 Bus.^[23][24] In the 1960s, PA 73 was rerouted at US 13 (Frankford Avenue) to follow Cottman Avenue, the one-way pair of Princeton Avenue eastbound and Cottman Avenue westbound past Torresdale Avenue, State Road, and New State Road to the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge.^[25]

Major intersections

County	Location	mi[1]	km	Destinations	Notes
Berks	Ontelaunee Township	0.000	0.000	PA 61 (Pottsville Pike) – Reading, Leesport, Pottsville
	Maidencreek Township	2.750	4.426	US 222 (Allentown Pike) – Allentown, Reading
	Ruscombmanor Township	6.660	10.718	PA 12 (Pricetown Road) – Pricetown, Reading
	Oley Township	8.877	14.286	PA 662 north (Memorial Highway) – Fleetwood	Western terminus of concurrency
		10.550	16.979	PA 662 south (Memorial Highway) – Douglassville	Eastern terminus of concurrency
	Boyertown	20.297	32.665	PA 562 west (Reading Avenue) – St. Lawrence	Eastern terminus of PA 562
Montgomery	Douglass Township	21.221	34.152	PA 100 – Allentown, Pottstown	Interchange
	New Hanover Township	24.388	39.249	PA 663 south (North Charlotte Street) – Pottstown	Western terminus of concurrency
		24.624	39.628	PA 663 north (Layfield Road) – Pennsburg	Eastern terminus of concurrency
	Lower Frederick Township	30.236	48.660	PA 29 north (Gravel Pike) – Perkiomenville	Roundabout, western terminus of concurrency
	Perkiomen Township	32.487	52.283	PA 29 south (Gravel Pike) – Collegeville	Eastern terminus of concurrency
	Skippack Township	36.165	58.202	PA 113 (Bridge Road) – Harleysville, Rahns
	Worcester Township	39.905	64.221	PA 363 (Valley Forge Road) – Lansdale, Fairview
	Whitpain Township	43.708	70.341	US 202 (Dekalb Pike) – Doylestown, Norristown
	Springfield Township	49.814	80.168	PA 309 (Fort Washington Expressway) – Montgomeryville, Philadelphia	Interchange
	Cheltenham Township	52.328	84.214	PA 152 (Limekiln Pike) – Edge Hill, Philadelphia
		54.542	87.777	PA 611 (Old York Road) – Willow Grove, Philadelphia
Philadelphia	Philadelphia	57.499	92.536	PA 232 (Oxford Avenue)
		59.422	95.630	US 1 (Roosevelt Boulevard)	Interchange
		60.323	97.080	US 13 (Frankford Avenue)
		61.630	99.184	I-95 (Delaware Expressway) – Trenton, Central Philadelphia, Chester	Exit 30 (I-95)
Delaware River		62.319	100.293	Tacony-Palmyra Bridge
Burlington	Palmyra	62.319	100.293	Route 73 south	Continuation into New Jersey
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi       Concurrency terminus

PA 73 Alternate Truck

Pennsylvania Route 73 Alternate Truck are truck routes of PA 73 that bypass a weight-restricted bridge over a branch of the Wissahickon Creek at the PA 309 interchange in Oreland, on which trucks over 36 tons and combination loads over 40 tons are prohibited. The eastbound alternate truck route follows PA 309 and Paper Mill Road. The westbound alternate truck route follows Paper Mill Road and Bethlehem Pike. There is also a PA 73 Alt. Truck for traffic from northbound PA 309 to access westbound PA 73, following PA 309 north from PA 73 to the Pennsylvania Turnpike interchange, where it utilizes the cloverleaf ramps to return to southbound PA 309 and head south to the PA 73 exit. PA 73 Alt. Truck was signed in 2013.^{[26][27][28][29]}

See also

• U.S. Roads portal
• Pennsylvania portal
• Philadelphia portal

References

External links

Route map: Bing / Google

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pennsylvania Route 73.

• Burlington County Bridge Commission - Tacony-Palmyra Bridge
• PA State Route 73 Ends