Pennsylvania Route 281
Encyclopedia
Pennsylvania Route 281 is an 45 miles (72.4 km) long state highway
located in Fayette
and Somerset
counties in Pennsylvania
. The southern terminus is the West Virginia
state line near Markleysburg
. The northern terminus is at US 30
in Stoystown
.
border in Henry Clay Township
, Fayette County
, where the road continues into that state as WV 26. From the state line, the route heads northeast on two-lane undivided Bruceton Road, heading through wooded areas with some fields and homes. PA 281 curves to the east and crosses into Markleysburg
, where it heads into residential areas and turns north-northeast onto Main Street. The road passes more homes before heading back into Henry Clay Township and continues through woodland with a few small fields and residences. The route comes to an intersection with US 40
and turns east to form a short concurrency
with that route on National Pike before turning north onto Mae West Road. PA 281 continues through rural areas with some homes, winding to the northeast before turning east.
PA 281 crosses the Youghiogheny River
into Addison Township
in Somerset County
and becomes an unnamed road, heading into Confluence
and crossing the Casselman River
. Here, the route comes to an intersection with PA 523
. At this point, PA 281 turns north to form a concurrency
with that route on Oden Street, passing residences. PA 523 ends at the point where PA 281 turns to the east onto Logan Place. The route heads past businesses before turning northeast onto Park Street and passing under a CSX railroad line. The road turns east and crosses Laurel Hill Creek
, passing between woods to the north and fields to the south as it enters Lower Turkeyfoot Township
. A short distance later, PA 281 heads into Ursina
and passes through residential areas with some fields and trees. The road curves northeast and heads back into Lower Turkeyfoot Township, becoming Kingwood Road and crossing Laurel Hill Creek again. The route winds through a mix of farmland and woodland with some homes as it runs a short distance to the north of a CSX railroad line, passing through Brook. PA 281 continues into Upper Turkeyfoot Township
and heads away from the railroad tracks, running through open agricultural areas with some woods and homes as it goes through Paddytown. The road curves more to the north and heads through more rural areas, passing through the residential community of Kingwood. The route continues northeast and heads into Middlecreek Township
, curving north and intersecting PA 653
in New Lexington. At this point, PA 281 turns east to form a concurrency with PA 653, passing through more farmland on Kingwood Road. The road heads into wooded areas, crossing the Middle Creek into Milford Township
and turning northeast. The two routes head into more agricultural land and cross into New Centerville
, passing homes. PA 653 splits from PA 281 by turning south onto Bridge Street and PA 281 runs through more residential areas on New Centerville Road. The road curves north and heads back into Milford Township, running through open farmland. The route runs northeast through more agricultural areas with some trees and homes, crossing into Somerset Township
.
PA 281 continues through more rural areas, entering Somerset
and becoming Tayman Avenue as it passes homes. At the Harrison Avenue intersection, PA 281 becomes a one-way pair
concurrent with PA 31
, heading east on Tayman Avenue northbound and west on West Main Street southbound, carrying two lanes in each direction. The one-way pairing becomes West Patriot Street northbound and West Main Street southbound as it heads into the commercial downtown of Somerset. PA 31/PA 281 intersect the southern terminus of PA 601
, becoming East Patriot Street northbound and East Main Street southbound. PA 281 splits from PA 31 by turning north onto two-way, two-lane, undivided North Pleasant Avenue, passing between homes to the west and a CSX railroad line to the east. The route becomes the border between Somerset to the west and Somerset Township to the east, turning northeast onto Stoystown Road to fully enter Somerset Township and cross the railroad tracks. The road passes through residential areas as it crosses under I-70
/I-76 (Pennsylvania Turnpike
). PA 281 passes through farmland and woodland with some homes and businesses as it comes to an interchange with the US 219
freeway, becoming a divided highway
at this point. Past this interchange, the road becomes undivided again and continues through more rural areas with residences, crossing the CSX line again. The route passes to the northwest of Somerset County Airport and runs through the residential community of Friedens
. The road enters Quemahoning Township
and runs through farmland with some woods and homes, turning north into more wooded areas and passing through Reading Mines. PA 281 continues north to its terminus at an interchange with US 30
, where the road heads north into Stoystown
as East Main Street.
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
located in Fayette
Fayette County, Pennsylvania
Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the2010 census, the population was 136,606. The county is part of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area....
and Somerset
Somerset County, Pennsylvania
Somerset County is a county located in the state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 77,742. Somerset County was created on April 17, 1795, from part of Bedford County and named for Somerset, United Kingdom. Its county seat is Somerset. It is part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania,...
counties in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. The southern terminus is the West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
state line near Markleysburg
Markleysburg, Pennsylvania
Markleysburg is a borough in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 282 at the 2000 census. The town is served by the Uniontown Area School District.-Geography:Markleysburg is located at ....
. The northern terminus is at US 30
U.S. Route 30
U.S. Route 30 is an east–west main route of the system of United States Numbered Highways, with the highway traveling across the northern tier of the country. It is the third longest U.S. route, after U.S. Route 20 and U.S. Route 6. The western end of the highway is at Astoria, Oregon; the...
in Stoystown
Stoystown, Pennsylvania
Stoystown is a borough in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 428 at the 2000 census...
.
Fayette County
PA 281 begins at the West VirginiaWest Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
border in Henry Clay Township
Henry Clay Township, Pennsylvania
Henry Clay Township is a township in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,984 at the 2000 census. The township was created June 9, 1824 from the eastern portion of Wharton Township. It is named for 19th century American statesman Henry Clay. The northwestern corner of...
, Fayette County
Fayette County, Pennsylvania
Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the2010 census, the population was 136,606. The county is part of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, where the road continues into that state as WV 26. From the state line, the route heads northeast on two-lane undivided Bruceton Road, heading through wooded areas with some fields and homes. PA 281 curves to the east and crosses into Markleysburg
Markleysburg, Pennsylvania
Markleysburg is a borough in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 282 at the 2000 census. The town is served by the Uniontown Area School District.-Geography:Markleysburg is located at ....
, where it heads into residential areas and turns north-northeast onto Main Street. The road passes more homes before heading back into Henry Clay Township and continues through woodland with a few small fields and residences. The route comes to 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...
and turns east to form a short 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 that route on National Pike before turning north onto Mae West Road. PA 281 continues through rural areas with some homes, winding to the northeast before turning east.
Somerset County
Youghiogheny River
The Youghiogheny River , or the Yough for short, is a tributary of the Monongahela River in the U.S. states of West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania...
into Addison Township
Addison Township, Pennsylvania
Addison Township is a township in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,019 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
in Somerset County
Somerset County, Pennsylvania
Somerset County is a county located in the state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 77,742. Somerset County was created on April 17, 1795, from part of Bedford County and named for Somerset, United Kingdom. Its county seat is Somerset. It is part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania,...
and becomes an unnamed road, heading into Confluence
Confluence, Pennsylvania
Confluence is a borough in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 834 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Confluence is located at ....
and crossing the Casselman River
Casselman River
The Casselman River is a tributary of the Youghiogheny River in western Maryland and Pennsylvania in the United States.The Casselman River rises atop the plateau of western Maryland and then follows a great arc across the Laurel Highlands of Somerset County, Pennsylvania to the appropriately named...
. Here, the route comes to an intersection with PA 523
Pennsylvania Route 523
Pennsylvania Route 523 is an long state highway located in Somerset county in Pennsylvania. The southern terminus is at US 40 in Addison. The northern terminus is at PA 281 in Confluence.-Route description:...
. At this point, PA 281 turns north 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 that route on Oden Street, passing residences. PA 523 ends at the point where PA 281 turns to the east onto Logan Place. The route heads past businesses before turning northeast onto Park Street and passing under a CSX railroad line. The road turns east and crosses Laurel Hill Creek
Laurel Hill Creek
Laurel Hill Creek is a tributary of the Casselman River in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is part of the Youghiogheny River watershed, flowing to the Monongahela River, the Ohio River, and ultimately the Mississippi River....
, passing between woods to the north and fields to the south as it enters Lower Turkeyfoot Township
Lower Turkeyfoot Township, Pennsylvania
Lower Turkeyfoot Township is a township in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 672 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
. A short distance later, PA 281 heads into Ursina
Ursina, Pennsylvania
Ursina is a borough in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 254 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Ursina is located at ....
and passes through residential areas with some fields and trees. The road curves northeast and heads back into Lower Turkeyfoot Township, becoming Kingwood Road and crossing Laurel Hill Creek again. The route winds through a mix of farmland and woodland with some homes as it runs a short distance to the north of a CSX railroad line, passing through Brook. PA 281 continues into Upper Turkeyfoot Township
Upper Turkeyfoot Township, Pennsylvania
Upper Turkeyfoot Township is a township in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,232 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
and heads away from the railroad tracks, running through open agricultural areas with some woods and homes as it goes through Paddytown. The road curves more to the north and heads through more rural areas, passing through the residential community of Kingwood. The route continues northeast and heads into Middlecreek Township
Middlecreek Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania
Middlecreek Township is a township in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 797 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, curving north and intersecting PA 653
Pennsylvania Route 653
Pennsylvania Route 653 is an long state highway located in Fayette and Somerset counties in Pennsylvania. The western terminus is at PA 381 in Springfield Township. The eastern terminus is at US 219 in Garrett.-Fayette County:...
in New Lexington. At this point, PA 281 turns east to form a concurrency with PA 653, passing through more farmland on Kingwood Road. The road heads into wooded areas, crossing the Middle Creek into Milford Township
Milford Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania
Milford Township is a township in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,561 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
and turning northeast. The two routes head into more agricultural land and cross into New Centerville
New Centerville, Pennsylvania
New Centerville is a borough in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 193 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, passing homes. PA 653 splits from PA 281 by turning south onto Bridge Street and PA 281 runs through more residential areas on New Centerville Road. The road curves north and heads back into Milford Township, running through open farmland. The route runs northeast through more agricultural areas with some trees and homes, crossing into Somerset Township
Somerset Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania
Somerset Township is a township in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 12,122 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area and encompasses the census-designated place of Friedens, Pennsylvania.-Geography:According to the...
.
PA 281 continues through more rural areas, entering Somerset
Somerset, Pennsylvania
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 6,762 people, 3,035 households, and 1,717 families residing in the borough. The population density was 2,466.0 people per square mile . There were 3,313 housing units at an average density of 1,208.2 per square mile...
and becoming Tayman Avenue as it passes homes. At the Harrison Avenue intersection, PA 281 becomes a one-way pair
One-way pair
A one-way pair, one-way couple, or just couplet is a pair of parallel, usually one-way streets that carry opposite directions of a signed route or major traffic flow, or sometimes opposite directions of a bus or streetcar route....
concurrent with PA 31
Pennsylvania Route 31
Pennsylvania Route 31 is a long state highway located in Western Pennsylvania, paralleling U.S. Route 30 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike for most of its length. The designation begins at PA 136 near West Newton and ends at US 30 near Bedford....
, heading east on Tayman Avenue northbound and west on West Main Street southbound, carrying two lanes in each direction. The one-way pairing becomes West Patriot Street northbound and West Main Street southbound as it heads into the commercial downtown of Somerset. PA 31/PA 281 intersect the southern terminus of PA 601
Pennsylvania Route 601
Pennsylvania Route 601 is an long state highway located in Somerset county in Pennsylvania. The southern terminus is at PA 31/PA 281 in Somerset...
, becoming East Patriot Street northbound and East Main Street southbound. PA 281 splits from PA 31 by turning north onto two-way, two-lane, undivided North Pleasant Avenue, passing between homes to the west and a CSX railroad line to the east. The route becomes the border between Somerset to the west and Somerset Township to the east, turning northeast onto Stoystown Road to fully enter Somerset Township and cross the railroad tracks. The road passes through residential areas as it crosses under I-70
Interstate 70 in Pennsylvania
In the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, Interstate 70 runs east–west across the southwest part of the state serving the southern half of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. About half of the route is concurrent with Interstate 76 along the Pennsylvania Turnpike...
/I-76 (Pennsylvania Turnpike
Pennsylvania Turnpike
The Pennsylvania Turnpike is a toll highway system operated by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States. The three sections of the turnpike system total . The main section extends from Ohio to New Jersey and is long...
). PA 281 passes through farmland and woodland with some homes and businesses as it comes to an interchange with the US 219
U.S. Route 219 in Pennsylvania
From near Grantsville, Maryland north to Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. Route 219 is Corridor N of the Appalachian Development Highway System. From Somerset, Pennsylvania to just south of Carrolltown, Pennsylvania, US 219 is a limited-access highway...
freeway, becoming a divided highway
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:...
at this point. Past this interchange, the road becomes undivided again and continues through more rural areas with residences, crossing the CSX line again. The route passes to the northwest of Somerset County Airport and runs through the residential community of Friedens
Friedens, Pennsylvania
Friedens is a census-designated place that is part of Somerset Township in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,523 at the 2010 census...
. The road enters Quemahoning Township
Quemahoning Township, Pennsylvania
Quemahoning Township is a township in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,180 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area....
and runs through farmland with some woods and homes, turning north into more wooded areas and passing through Reading Mines. PA 281 continues north to its terminus at an interchange with US 30
U.S. Route 30 in Pennsylvania
In the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, U.S. Route 30 runs east–west across the southern part of the state, passing through Pittsburgh and Philadelphia on its way from the West Virginia state line east to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge over the Delaware River into New Jersey...
, where the road heads north into Stoystown
Stoystown, Pennsylvania
Stoystown is a borough in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 428 at the 2000 census...
as East Main Street.