Roadtrip 07/31/08

Well, to start out on this blog, I'm going to be talking about my most recent trip. It was up to Pocono to see NASCAR Nextel Cup Qualifying. But this day was all about the new segment of Future I-99 and US-220/322 up near State College, PA.

First off, let's pick up the trip on US-22 just outside of Altoona, PA. On US-22, several examples of Buttoncopy signs are still along the freeway segment of it. As far as I know, they are still the original signage along this segment and seem to be holding up to the test of time.

Coming up onto the I-99/US-220 intersection with US-22, I find out that I-99 is under construction, again... They were making people stop at end of the "makeshift" ramp for the construction zone.

Driving Northbound on I-99/US-220, we come upon I-99's last NB shield just after exit #48.

Here's the 1 Mile advance sign for the end of current I-99 @ Exit #52. I-99 can't be extended any farther North of this interchange unless a bill passes in Congress. Till then, the freeway North of Exit #52 will be known as US-220 only.

Here's a view of the I-99 Exit #52 interchange. You can see the new highway off in the distance because it concrete was used to pave it.

Here's the first sign assembly after Exit #52. Note, you can see the blue banner at the top waiting for it's I-99 shield once PennDOT can legally post them.

Here's an advance warning of US-22o/US-322 (Future I-99) Expressway temporary end in 6-miles.

Here at Exit #61 (To US-322 West), US-322 West is still using this interchange till the rest of the highway is opened, hopefully at the end of 2008. It's also where SB traffic can finally enter the highway, as they currently can't access the highway from Skytop.

Just after Exit #62 (SB off; NB on only) from US-322, you can see the SB lanes already completed minus the paint. Now, if you where to look @ the other side of that BGS you see on the SB side of the highway, you would currently see the only I-99 shield on this segment of highway. Unforcently, there was no way I could get a shot of the sign.

And here's a few shots of the current end of the highway before you are funneled back onto the old road.

And finally, after you travel the old road about a mile, when you get back on to the highway, you're greeted by one of only a few signs in the State College area that have I-99 shields on them already but are covered over by a piece of wood.

Anyways, that ends the photos for my trip up to Pocono on 07/31/08. Hopefully soon I'll be able to post some pictures I took on 08/01/08 from the track and on the way home.

You can also see some more pictures from US-220/322 and Future I-99 at my Flickr account at this link.

Enjoy!