Pennsylvania Route 166
Encyclopedia
Pennsylvania Route 166 is a north–south state route in Fayette County. It follows the path of the Monongahela River
along the entire western border of Fayette County.
in Springhill Township
just north of the confluence
of the Monongahela
and Cheat River
s at Point Marion
. From this point, PA 166 heads northwest on two-lane undivided New Geneva Road, following the Monongahela River downstream. The route passes through forested areas with a few homes and farms, turning north and reaching the Friendship Hill National Historic Site
. The road turns northeast and runs through the community of Friendship Heights, crossing the George Creek into Nicholson Township
. Here, the route passes through the residential community of New Geneva, with a CSX railroad line running in between the road and the Monongahela River. After passing through New Geneva, the road heads back into forests. PA 166 turns off of New Geneva Road and stays parallel to the Monongahela River, heading to the north on an unnamed road. The route continues through more wooded areas, passing through the residential communities of Martin, Gallatin, and Grays Landing. Upon crossing into German Township
and curving northeast away from the river, PA 166 becomes Masontown Woodside Road and passes through more woodland. The road turns north and enters Masontown
, becoming South Main Street and running past homes. The route heads into the commercial downtown and becomes North Main Street, heading past more residences in the northern part of town.
Upon crossing back into German Township, PA 166 comes to an interchange with PA 21
, at which point the route heads northeast to form a concurrency
with PA 21 on four-lane divided
McClellandtown Road. The two routes head through a mix of farmland and woodland with some commercial development, passing through Lardin. PA 166 splits from PA 21 by heading north on two-lane undivided Edenborn Road into wooded areas. The route passes through the residential community of Edenborn before continuing north through forested areas with some homes on Ball Hill Road. PA 166 enters more wooded surroudings as it continues further north along Hartley Hill Road. Upon reaching the community of Hibbs, the road enters Redstone Township
and becomes Thompson 1 Road, heading north through a mix of farmland and woodland with some homes. After passing the Thompson No. 1 mine, PA 166 continues into forests, becoming Tower Hill Road as it crosses into Luzerne Township
. The road heads back into Redstone Township and passes through the residential community of Republic
. Entering a patch of woods, the route crosses into Luzerne Township again and becomes Thornton Road as it serves the community of Allison. PA 166 heads into Redstone Township for a third time and heads through forested areas with a few homes, crossing the PA 43 toll freeway that is under construction. The route turns northeast into a commercial area and intersects US 40 Business, becoming four-lane divided Grindstone Road. A short distance later, PA 166 comes to its northern terminus at an intersection with US 40
.
Monongahela River
The Monongahela River is a river on the Allegheny Plateau in north-central West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania in the United States...
along the entire western border of Fayette County.
Route description
PA 166 begins at an intersection with US 119U.S. Route 119 in Pennsylvania
U.S. Route 119 travels through Connellsville, Greensburg, and Punxsutawney, and bypasses Uniontown and Indiana. There are numerous other boroughs and villages along its route in the Keystone State. The southern entrance of US 119 is at the West Virginia state line one-half mile south of Point...
in Springhill Township
Springhill Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania
Springhill Township is a township in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,974 at the 2000 census. The Albert Gallatin Area School District serves the region....
just north of the confluence
Confluence
Confluence, in geography, describes the meeting of two or more bodies of water.Confluence may also refer to:* Confluence , a property of term rewriting systems...
of the Monongahela
Monongahela River
The Monongahela River is a river on the Allegheny Plateau in north-central West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania in the United States...
and Cheat River
Cheat River
The Cheat River is a tributary of the Monongahela River in eastern West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Via the Monongahela and Ohio rivers, it is part of the Mississippi River watershed, ultimately draining into the Gulf of Mexico.-Geography:The Cheat is formed at...
s at Point Marion
Point Marion, Pennsylvania
Point Marion is a borough in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,333 at the 2000 census. It is served by the Albert Gallatin Area School District.Point Marion is located at the confluence of the Monongahela and Cheat Rivers...
. From this point, PA 166 heads northwest on two-lane undivided New Geneva Road, following the Monongahela River downstream. The route passes through forested areas with a few homes and farms, turning north and reaching the Friendship Hill National Historic Site
Friendship Hill National Historic Site
Friendship Hill National Historic Site, maintained by the National Park Service, was the home of early American politician Albert Gallatin. It overlooks the Monongahela River near Point Marion, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, about south of Pittsburgh....
. The road turns northeast and runs through the community of Friendship Heights, crossing the George Creek into Nicholson Township
Nicholson Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania
Nicholson Township is a township in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. The population was 1,989 at the 2000 census. The Albert Gallatin Area School District serves the township....
. Here, the route passes through the residential community of New Geneva, with a CSX railroad line running in between the road and the Monongahela River. After passing through New Geneva, the road heads back into forests. PA 166 turns off of New Geneva Road and stays parallel to the Monongahela River, heading to the north on an unnamed road. The route continues through more wooded areas, passing through the residential communities of Martin, Gallatin, and Grays Landing. Upon crossing into German Township
German Township, Pennsylvania
German Township is a township in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 5,595 at the 2000 census. McClellandtown is the township's largest village...
and curving northeast away from the river, PA 166 becomes Masontown Woodside Road and passes through more woodland. The road turns north and enters Masontown
Masontown, Pennsylvania
Masontown is a borough in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The population was 3,611 at the 2000 census. The town is served by the Albert Gallatin Area School District...
, becoming South Main Street and running past homes. The route heads into the commercial downtown and becomes North Main Street, heading past more residences in the northern part of town.
Upon crossing back into German Township, PA 166 comes to an interchange with PA 21
Pennsylvania Route 21
Pennsylvania Route 21 is a long east–west state highway in the US state of Pennsylvania. The western terminus of the route is at the West Virginia state line in Richhill Township, where PA 21 continues into West Virginia as West Virginia Route 891. The eastern terminus is at U.S. Route 40...
, at which point the route heads northeast to form a concurrency
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
with PA 21 on four-lane divided
Divided Highway
Divided Highway is a compilation album by American rock band The Doobie Brothers, released in 2003. . All tracks are taken from the albums Cycles and Brotherhood .-Track listing:...
McClellandtown Road. The two routes head through a mix of farmland and woodland with some commercial development, passing through Lardin. PA 166 splits from PA 21 by heading north on two-lane undivided Edenborn Road into wooded areas. The route passes through the residential community of Edenborn before continuing north through forested areas with some homes on Ball Hill Road. PA 166 enters more wooded surroudings as it continues further north along Hartley Hill Road. Upon reaching the community of Hibbs, the road enters Redstone Township
Redstone Township, Pennsylvania
Redstone Township is a township in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 6,397 at the 2000 census. The Brownsville Area School District serves the region....
and becomes Thompson 1 Road, heading north through a mix of farmland and woodland with some homes. After passing the Thompson No. 1 mine, PA 166 continues into forests, becoming Tower Hill Road as it crosses into Luzerne Township
Luzerne Township, Pennsylvania
Luzerne Township is a township in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 4,683 at the 2000 census. The township is served by the Brownsville Area School District....
. The road heads back into Redstone Township and passes through the residential community of Republic
Republic, Pennsylvania
Republic is a census-designated place in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,396 at the 2000 census. Republic is found in Redstone Township.Republic is like Brownsville, PA but still has a handful of buisnesses....
. Entering a patch of woods, the route crosses into Luzerne Township again and becomes Thornton Road as it serves the community of Allison. PA 166 heads into Redstone Township for a third time and heads through forested areas with a few homes, crossing the PA 43 toll freeway that is under construction. The route turns northeast into a commercial area and intersects US 40 Business, becoming four-lane divided Grindstone Road. A short distance later, PA 166 comes to its northern terminus at an intersection with US 40
U.S. Route 40 in Pennsylvania
U.S. Route 40 enters Pennsylvania at West Alexander. It closely parallels I-70 from West Virginia until it reaches Washington where it follows Jefferson Avenue and Maiden Street. In Washington, US 40 passes to the south of Washington & Jefferson College. Following Maiden Street out of town, the...
.