Pennsylvania Route 551
Encyclopedia
Pennsylvania Route 551 is an 33 miles (53.1 km) long state highway
located in Beaver
, Lawrence
, and Mercer
counties in Pennsylvania
. The southern terminus is at PA 18
in Beaver Falls
. The northern terminus is at PA 18 near West Middlesex
.
Though officially a spur route
of Pennsylvania Route 51
, PA 551 is more suited as a spur route of PA 18, due to PA 551 ending at PA 18 at both ends without intersecting with PA 51 at all. (PA 51 and PA 551 come within a mile of each other near Darlington, Pennsylvania
at their closest point.) While PA 18 passes through larger cities, PA 551 goes through more rural areas.
in Beaver Falls
, Beaver County
, heading west on two-lane undivided 49th Street Extended. The road passes between commercial areas to the north and homes to the south, crossing under a Norfolk Southern railroad line and heading into West Mayfield
, becoming Wallace Run Road. The route heads into wooded areas with some homes, crossing Wallace Run into Big Beaver
. PA 551 continues northwest along the northern bank of Wallace Run, coming to an interchange with I-376
that has a toll plaza on the ramps to and from the northbound direction of I-376. The road heads into a mix of farmland and woodland with some residences, curving more to the west. The route heads southwest and crosses into Chippewa Township
, turning northwest and briefly passing through Big Beaver again prior to entering Darlington Township
. PA 551 curves west and heads into South Beaver Township
, where it turns north onto Old Darlington Road and comes to an intersection with PA 168
. Here, PA 168 turns north to form a concurrency
with the route, crossing the North Fork Little Beaver Creek
into Darlington Township. The road heads into Darlington
and becomes Market Street as it heads through residential areas, with PA 168 splitting to the east in a commercial area. PA 551 continues north past more homes, turning east onto 5th Street as it forms the border between Darlington to the south and Darlington Township to the north. The route turns north onto Hollow Road and fully enters Darlington Township, heading into a mix of farms and woods with some residences. The road curves to the northwest as it heads through more rural areas.
in Lawrence County
and becomes Main Street, heading into residential areas and crossing a Norfolk Southern railroad line. The route intersects PA 351
and becomes concurrent with that route, soon heading north onto State Street as it passes more homes. The road heads into Little Beaver Township
and becomes unnamed, heading through more areas of farms, woods, and residences as it passes through Old Enon. PA 351 splits to the northwest and PA 551 continues north on Enon Road, crossing the North Fork Little Beaver Creek again and continuing through more farmland and woodland with a few homes. The road heads into open agricultural areas with occasional residences, passing over I-76
(Pennsylvania Turnpike
). The route crosses into North Beaver Township
and runs through Newburg, continuing through more rural areas. PA 551 heads through more farmland with some woods and homes as it comes to a junction with PA 108
. At this point, PA 108 turns north to form a concurrency with PA 551, with the name changing to Mt. Jackson Road. The road curves northeast through more agricultural areas with some woodland and residences, turning more to the east into wooded areas with some homes. In the community of Mount Jackson
, PA 551 splits from PA 108 by heading north along with PA 317
on Mohawk School Road. The road passes farms and homes before PA 551 splits from PA 317 by heading north on Edinburg Road.
The route runs through farmland and woodland with some residences, crossing into Mahoning Township
. PA 551 crosses a Norfolk Southern railroad line and becomes Erie Street, heading into the residential community of Edinburg. Here, the route turns west onto Jackson Street and passes more homes before heading through farm fields and curving northwest. PA 551 comes to an intersection with US 224 and turns northeast to join that route on West State Street. The road heads through wooded areas and crosses the Mahoning River
and two CSX railroad lines. PA 551 splits from US 224 by heading north on North Edinburg Road, continuing through wooded areas with some farmland and homes. The road crosses US 422
and continues through more rural areas, heading north-northeast and entering Pulaski Township
. The route becomes an unnamed road and runs north through more farmland and woodland with some residences, curving northwest and north again. PA 551 comes to an intersection with PA 208
and turns northeast to join that route, heading through woodland to the west of the Shenango River
. The two routes turn east to cross the river and head into the residential community of Pulaski. Here, PA 551 splits from PA 208 by turning northeast onto Mercer Street, curving north as it passes between industrial areas to the west and I-376 to the east.
in Mercer County
and becomes Pulaski Road, heading north-northwest through wooded areas with some industrial buildings, homes, and fields. The route continues through a mix of agricultural areas and woodland, curving north as it comes to its northern terminus at another intersection with PA 18.
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 Beaver
Beaver County, Pennsylvania
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 181,412 people, 72,576 households, and 50,512 families residing in the county. The population density was 418 people per square mile . There were 77,765 housing units at an average density of 179 per square mile...
, Lawrence
Lawrence County, Pennsylvania
Lawrence County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. In 2010, its population was 91,108. The county was added to the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area in 2003. The county seat is New Castle....
, and Mercer
Mercer County, Pennsylvania
Mercer County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 116,638. Its county seat is Mercer; Sharon is its largest city....
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 at PA 18
Pennsylvania Route 18
Pennsylvania Route 18 is a major north–south highway in Western Pennsylvania whose southern terminus is at the West Virginia state line in Greene County, Pennsylvania near the village of Garrison, while the northern terminus is at PA Route 5 in Lake City, Pennsylvania...
in Beaver Falls
Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania
Beaver Falls is a city in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 8,987 at the 2010 census. It is located 31 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, and on the Beaver River, six miles from its confluence with the Ohio River...
. The northern terminus is at PA 18 near West Middlesex
West Middlesex, Pennsylvania
West Middlesex is a borough in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, along the Shenango River. The population was 929 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Youngstown–Warren–Boardman, OH-PA Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
.
Though officially a spur route
Spur route
A spur route is a short road forming a branch from a longer, more important route . A bypass or beltway is never considered a true spur route as it typically reconnects with the major road...
of Pennsylvania Route 51
Pennsylvania Route 51
Pennsylvania Route 51 is a major state highway in Western Pennsylvania. It runs for from Uniontown to the Ohio state line near Darlington, where it connects with Ohio State Route 14. Route 51 is the termination point for Pennsylvania Route 43, Pennsylvania Route 48 and Pennsylvania Route 88. ...
, PA 551 is more suited as a spur route of PA 18, due to PA 551 ending at PA 18 at both ends without intersecting with PA 51 at all. (PA 51 and PA 551 come within a mile of each other near Darlington, Pennsylvania
Darlington, Pennsylvania
Darlington is a borough in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 299 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Darlington is located at ....
at their closest point.) While PA 18 passes through larger cities, PA 551 goes through more rural areas.
Beaver County
PA 551 begins at an intersection with PA 18Pennsylvania Route 18
Pennsylvania Route 18 is a major north–south highway in Western Pennsylvania whose southern terminus is at the West Virginia state line in Greene County, Pennsylvania near the village of Garrison, while the northern terminus is at PA Route 5 in Lake City, Pennsylvania...
in Beaver Falls
Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania
Beaver Falls is a city in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 8,987 at the 2010 census. It is located 31 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, and on the Beaver River, six miles from its confluence with the Ohio River...
, Beaver County
Beaver County, Pennsylvania
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 181,412 people, 72,576 households, and 50,512 families residing in the county. The population density was 418 people per square mile . There were 77,765 housing units at an average density of 179 per square mile...
, heading west on two-lane undivided 49th Street Extended. The road passes between commercial areas to the north and homes to the south, crossing under a Norfolk Southern railroad line and heading into West Mayfield
West Mayfield, Pennsylvania
West Mayfield is a borough in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,187 at the 2000 census.-Geography:West Mayfield is located at ....
, becoming Wallace Run Road. The route heads into wooded areas with some homes, crossing Wallace Run into Big Beaver
Big Beaver, Pennsylvania
Big Beaver is a borough in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,186 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Big Beaver is located at ....
. PA 551 continues northwest along the northern bank of Wallace Run, coming to an interchange with I-376
Interstate 376
Interstate 376 is a major auxiliary route of the Interstate Highway System in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, located entirely within the Allegheny Plateau. It runs from I-80 near Sharon south and east to a junction with the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Monroeville, after having crossed the Turnpike...
that has a toll plaza on the ramps to and from the northbound direction of I-376. The road heads into a mix of farmland and woodland with some residences, curving more to the west. The route heads southwest and crosses into Chippewa Township
Chippewa Township, Pennsylvania
Chippewa Township is a township in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 7,021 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:...
, turning northwest and briefly passing through Big Beaver again prior to entering Darlington Township
Darlington Township, Pennsylvania
Darlington Township is a township in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,974 at the 2000 census.-History:Darlington and South Beaver townships are connected by the Watts Mill Bridge, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.-Geography:According to the...
. PA 551 curves west and heads into South Beaver Township
South Beaver Township, Pennsylvania
South Beaver Township is a township in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,974 at the 2000 census.-History:Darlington and South Beaver townships are connected by the Watts Mill Bridge, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the "Bridge in South...
, where it turns north onto Old Darlington Road and comes to an intersection with PA 168
Pennsylvania Route 168
Pennsylvania Route 168 is a highway in Western Pennsylvania that runs for from Pennsylvania Route 18 in Frankfort Springs to Pennsylvania Route 208 in Volant...
. Here, PA 168 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 the route, crossing the North Fork Little Beaver Creek
Little Beaver Creek
The Little Beaver Creek is a wild and scenic area in Ohio. The Little Beaver Creek watershed is located primarily in Columbiana County in northeast Ohio, and in portions of Carroll County, Mahoning County, and western Pennsylvania, draining approximately 605 mi² , of which 503 mi² are in Ohio...
into Darlington Township. The road heads into Darlington
Darlington, Pennsylvania
Darlington is a borough in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 299 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Darlington is located at ....
and becomes Market Street as it heads through residential areas, with PA 168 splitting to the east in a commercial area. PA 551 continues north past more homes, turning east onto 5th Street as it forms the border between Darlington to the south and Darlington Township to the north. The route turns north onto Hollow Road and fully enters Darlington Township, heading into a mix of farms and woods with some residences. The road curves to the northwest as it heads through more rural areas.
Lawrence County
PA 551 enters Enon ValleyEnon Valley, Pennsylvania
Enon Valley is a borough in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 387 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Enon Valley is located at ....
in Lawrence County
Lawrence County, Pennsylvania
Lawrence County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. In 2010, its population was 91,108. The county was added to the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area in 2003. The county seat is New Castle....
and becomes Main Street, heading into residential areas and crossing a Norfolk Southern railroad line. The route intersects PA 351
Pennsylvania Route 351
Pennsylvania Route 351 is an long state highway located in Lawrence and Beaver counties in Pennsylvania. The western terminus is at the Ohio border near S.N.P.J. The eastern terminus is at PA 65/PA 288 in Ellwood City.-Route description:...
and becomes concurrent with that route, soon heading north onto State Street as it passes more homes. The road heads into Little Beaver Township
Little Beaver Township, Pennsylvania
Little Beaver Township is a township in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,310 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
and becomes unnamed, heading through more areas of farms, woods, and residences as it passes through Old Enon. PA 351 splits to the northwest and PA 551 continues north on Enon Road, crossing the North Fork Little Beaver Creek again and continuing through more farmland and woodland with a few homes. The road heads into open agricultural areas with occasional residences, passing over I-76
Interstate 76 (east)
Interstate 76 is an Interstate Highway in the United States, running 435 miles from an interchange with Interstate 71 west of Akron, Ohio, east to Interstate 295 near Camden, New Jersey....
(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...
). The route crosses into North Beaver Township
North Beaver Township, Pennsylvania
North Beaver Township is a township in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 4,022 at the 2000 census.The Slovene National Benefit Society applied to have their 500 acre recreation center in North Beaver Township designated as a separate municipality in 1977. The S.N.P.J...
and runs through Newburg, continuing through more rural areas. PA 551 heads through more farmland with some woods and homes as it comes to a junction with PA 108
Pennsylvania Route 108
Pennsylvania Route 108 is a highway in Western Pennsylvania that runs for from the Ohio state line near SNPJ to Pennsylvania Route 8 in Adams Corner. PA 108 intersects US Route 422 in New Castle and US Route 19 near Harlansburg...
. At this point, PA 108 turns north to form a concurrency with PA 551, with the name changing to Mt. Jackson Road. The road curves northeast through more agricultural areas with some woodland and residences, turning more to the east into wooded areas with some homes. In the community of Mount Jackson
Mount Jackson, Pennsylvania
Mount Jackson, Pennsylvania is a small village in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. The population is about 1000. The North Beaver Fire Department, municipal buildings, Mount Jackson Presbyterian Church, and a recycling center are located there....
, PA 551 splits from PA 108 by heading north along with PA 317
Pennsylvania Route 317
Pennsylvania Route 317 is a long state highway located in Lawrence county in Pennsylvania. The western terminus is at the Ohio state line near Bessemer, where it continues westward as Ohio State Route 630...
on Mohawk School Road. The road passes farms and homes before PA 551 splits from PA 317 by heading north on Edinburg Road.
The route runs through farmland and woodland with some residences, crossing into Mahoning Township
Mahoning Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania
Mahoning Township is a township in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,447 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 25.0 square miles , of which, 24.5 square miles of it is land and...
. PA 551 crosses a Norfolk Southern railroad line and becomes Erie Street, heading into the residential community of Edinburg. Here, the route turns west onto Jackson Street and passes more homes before heading through farm fields and curving northwest. PA 551 comes to an intersection with US 224 and turns northeast to join that route on West State Street. The road heads through wooded areas and crosses the Mahoning River
Mahoning River
The Mahoning River is a river located in eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. It joins the Shenango River to form the Beaver River and is part of the Ohio River watershed.- Physical properties :...
and two CSX railroad lines. PA 551 splits from US 224 by heading north on North Edinburg Road, continuing through wooded areas with some farmland and homes. The road crosses US 422
U.S. Route 422
U.S. Route 422 is a long spur route of US 22 split into two segments in the U.S. states of Ohio and Pennsylvania. The western spur begins in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, and ends at Ebensburg, Pennsylvania...
and continues through more rural areas, heading north-northeast and entering Pulaski Township
Pulaski Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania
Pulaski Township is a township in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,658 at the 2000 census.- Geography :...
. The route becomes an unnamed road and runs north through more farmland and woodland with some residences, curving northwest and north again. PA 551 comes to an intersection with PA 208
Pennsylvania Route 208
Pennsylvania Route 208 is located in Western Pennsylvania; its western terminus just west of the village of New Bedford in Lawrence County at US 422 and the Ohio state line...
and turns northeast to join that route, heading through woodland to the west of the Shenango River
Shenango River
The Shenango River is a principal tributary of the Beaver River, approximately 100 mi long, in western Pennsylvania in the United States. It also briefly flows through small portions of northeastern Ohio...
. The two routes turn east to cross the river and head into the residential community of Pulaski. Here, PA 551 splits from PA 208 by turning northeast onto Mercer Street, curving north as it passes between industrial areas to the west and I-376 to the east.
Mercer County
PA 551 heads into Shenango TownshipShenango Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania
Shenango Township is a township in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 4,037 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 29.9 square miles , of which, 29.9 square miles of it is land and...
in Mercer County
Mercer County, Pennsylvania
Mercer County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 116,638. Its county seat is Mercer; Sharon is its largest city....
and becomes Pulaski Road, heading north-northwest through wooded areas with some industrial buildings, homes, and fields. The route continues through a mix of agricultural areas and woodland, curving north as it comes to its northern terminus at another intersection with PA 18.