PA 56

West End: New Kensington

Truck PA 56: New Kensington

East End: Wolfburg

The Western Terminus of PA 56 has changed slightly. Originally, it ended at Freeport Road which at the time was PA 28. The terminus was immediately after PA 55 crossed the Allegheny River over the C. L. Schmitt Bridge. In the photos below, Barb and John Bee show the intersection today.

(The Bee Family)

Above: The view from Old PA 28 South. Today, it is signed 'TO' PA 56 East.
Below: Via Freeport Road (Old PA 28) North. In this case this is a ramp from the split roadway. North Freeport Road goes underneath the bridge. This is common feature at many bridges in Western Pennsylvania.

(The Bee Family)

When PA 28 was realigned onto the Allegheny Valley Expressway in the 1970s, PA 56 was extended to an interchange with the new roadway. In the photo below, Eric Lasher shows the BGS on modern-day PA 28 that shows evidence of this occurring.

As you can see, this is no longer the case. PA 56 was later truncated to the New Kensington, Westmoreland County, side of the bridge.

(The Bee Family)

Above is the intersection where PA 56 ends today. However, the signage shows that PA 56 West is to continue across the bridge. But in another contradiction, this is the last PA 56 West shield in the area. And as noted in the earlier photos from the Allegheny County/Freeport Road side of the bridge. It is clearly marked as 'TO' East PA 56. Meaning that the road could possibly end in the middle of the bridge at the county line.

This photo is taken at the New Kensington end of the bridge. And in this photo, Eric Lasher may have clearly solved the mystery and confusion. The C.L. Schmitt Bridge is SR 1038 and ends at PA 56. The first Little White Sign for PA 56 is here. At the beginning of any state route, primary or secondary, a SR XX 10 LWS is found. PA 56 will bear right here. Below, Eric has a photo of a Big Green Sign that is found on the C.L. Schmitt Bridge.

Truck PA 56 New Kensington:

(The Bee Family)

The Western Terminus of Truck PA 56 in New Kensington. The C.L. Schmitt Bridge is in the background. PA 56 West continues straight ahead. The western terminus of PA 56 is a short distance away.

(Denny Pine)

Just outside of New Kensington is the Eastern Terminus of PA 56 Truck.

(Jeff Kitsko)

A closer look at the physical eastern terminus of Truck PA 56.

(The Bee Family) The Eastern Terminus of PA 56. The endpoint is at US 30 in Wolfburg, Bedford County. The overpass in the picture carries the Pennsylvania Turnpike!

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Sources & Links:

PA 56 @ PAHighways.com ---Jeff Kitsko

PA 56 Exit Guide @ PAHighways.com ---Jeff Kitsko

PA 56 Junction List @ Central PA Roads ---Tim Reichard

Page Created: May 28, 2001
Last Updated: April 23, 2007