Ulysses S. Grant Highway

The shortest east-west US highway in Pennsylvania is ironically the longest in the United States.  The route has not changed significantly since it was signed in 1926.

The former incarnation of US 20 as indicated on the 1926 official state
highway map.  (Pennsylvania Department of Highways)

The first change to take place on the highway was the widening from the Ohio state line to West Springfield, Fairview to the Millcreek Township line in 1938.  Two significant changes took place in 1946.  Widening took place between West Springfield and Eagley Road, the Fairview Township line and Asbury Road, PA 531 and Bartlett Road in Harborcreek, and in North East.  Also, 26th Street was extended and Broad Street was built.  Prior to that year, the designation used East Avenue to connect Buffalo Road and 26th Street. 

In 1952, the route was widened between Eagley Road and Girard.  In 1954, widening took place from Girard to Fairview, Asbury Road to PA 299 and Yoder Drive to the City of Erie line.  A year later the gap between PA 299 and Yoder Drive was widened as was the alignment from Wesleyville to PA 531 and Bartlett Road to North East.  In 1958, a median was installed on the route from the Ohio state line to PA 5, Eagley Road to PA 18 South, Girard to Erie, Brandes Avenue to Buffalo Road, Wesleyville to PA 531, and Bartlett Road to Cemetery Road.

In 1970, construction began from North East to I-90 to widen and install a median.  The project was completed in 1971 and left the I-90 to New York state line section as the longest less than four lanes in width.

Links:
US 20 Pictures
Great Lakes Circle Tour
Seaway Trail
Seaway Trail - Pennsylvania Byways
Terminus of US 20 - Dale Sanderson
Terminus of US 20 in Pennsylvania - Tim Reichard
US 20 Junction List - Tim Reichard
Yahoo! Groups:  US Route 20

INFORMATION

Western Entrance:	Ohio state line two miles west of West Springfield.
Eastern Entrance:	New York state line four miles east of State Line.
Length:	45 miles
National Highway System:	PA 98 to PA 299 Franklin Avenue to Lawrence Parkway
Names:	Ulysses S. Grant Highway Yellowstone Trail Lake Road, Ridge Road, Main Street, 26th Street, and Buffalo Road
SR Designation:	SR 0020
County:	Erie
Expressway:	None
Multiplexed Route:	PA 18:  one mile west of Girard to Girard
Former Designation:	PA 9  (1925 - 1930)
BicyclePA Route:	Ohio state line to PA 5
Great Lakes Circle Tour:	Ohio state line to PA 5
Seaway Trail:	Ohio state line to PA 5