Pennsylvania_Route_973 Knowpia

Pennsylvania Route 973
Pennsylvania Route 973
Route information
	Maintained by PennDOT
Length	27.3 mi (43.9 km)
Major junctions
West end	PA 44 in Watson Township
	Future I-99 / US 15 in Lycoming Township
East end	PA 87 in Loyalsockville
Location
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
Counties	Lycoming
Highway system
	Pennsylvania State Route System; Interstate; US; State; Scenic; Legislative;

Pennsylvania Route 973 (PA 973) is a highway which runs for 27.3 miles (43.9 km), generally east–west in Lycoming County in north central Pennsylvania in the United States. Its western terminus is on the east bank of Pine Creek at PA 44 in the unincorporated village of Tomb (or Tombs Run) in Watson Township, and its eastern terminus is at the hamlet of Loyalsockville in Upper Fairfield Township at PA 87.

Route description edit

PA 973 from PA 44 in Tomb

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 edit

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]

Major intersections edit

The entire route is in Lycoming County.

Location	mi^[1]	km	Destinations	Notes
Watson Township	0.0	0.0	PA 44 (Coudersport Pike) – Jersey Shore, Waterville	Western terminus
Mifflin Township	6.2	10.0	PA 287 south – Jersey Shore	West end of PA 287 concurrency
Mifflin Township	6.3	10.1	PA 287 north – English Center	East end of PA 287 concurrency
Lycoming Township	15.8	25.4	Future I-99 / US 15	US 15 exit 143; exit from US 15 southbound to PA 973 only
Upper Fairfield Township	27.3	43.9	PA 87 – Forksville, Montoursville	Eastern terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi Concurrency terminus Incomplete access

References edit

^ ^a ^b Google (May 18, 2013). "Pennsylvania Route 973" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
^ Thompson, David (September 9, 2011). "'Worse than Agnes': Record flooding wreaks destruction". Williamsport Sun-Gazette. p. 1. Retrieved September 9, 2011.
^ "PennDOT wrapping up another warm-weather construction season" (Press release). PennDOT. December 18, 2012. Retrieved May 18, 2013.