PA: PA 160 Truck south of Ebensburg

[dave1693]

On my return trip from a conference in western PA, I noticed that my route took me on a segment of what is now signed as "PA 160 Truck". This route is not in the database. Should it be added?

As far as I can tell the truck route starts at the intersection of PA 160 and PA 53 in Wilmore, going "south" (really west) on PA 53 from there to US 219 near Summerhill; then north on US 219 to US 22 outside of Ebensburg; then east on US 22 for all of one block from US 219 to Mini Mall Rd; then east on Mini Mall Rd from US 22 to PA 160, where the truck route ends.

I drove the northern piece from Summerhill to the northern terminus near Ebensburg. Directionsl signs are in abundance. Reassurance markers are sparse but exist (particularly on Mini Mall Rd).

[Markkos1992]

PA has created a lot of truck routes in recent years around posted bridges with weight restrictions.  This truck route is one of those many cases.  This bridge can be found on the Posted and Bonded Viewer near Wilmore Heights.  From what I understand, these truck routes usually get removed after the bridge is replaced or the weight restriction is  lifted. 

My belief on PA Truck Routes is that they should not be included if this is the only reason for the truck route, which I truly believe is the case here.  If there is another reason that seems to keep the truck route in existence long-term (see PA 61 in Sunbury and PA 183 in Cressona for instance), then I believe it should potentially be included.

I do not know if my thoughts may satisfy vdeane's opinion on the NY Truck Routes, but that may be an entirely different discussion.

[rickmastfan67]

My belief on PA Truck Routes is that they should not be included if this is the only reason for the truck route, which I truly believe is the case here.

If the bridge in question is going to be replaced very soon (1-2 years max), then I would personally have no problems with this.  However, if there's no plan on replacing the bridge (or it's funded, but 10-15 years out), then we should add the route IMO.

[Markkos1992]

My belief on PA Truck Routes is that they should not be included if this is the only reason for the truck route, which I truly believe is the case here.

If the bridge in question is going to be replaced very soon (1-2 years max), then I would personally have no problems with this.  However, if there's no plan on replacing the bridge (or it's funded, but 10-15 years out), then we should add the route IMO.

I can look into this one myself, but this would mean that I would have to add a multitude of truck routes(maybe up to 100?) throughout the state.  This includes a US 30 BUS ALT Truck route in Downingtown that actually travels on the US 30 Bypass.  Thankfully many of the routings are included on Wikipedia, but this could potentially be very tough to keep track of IMO.

[yakra]

I wouldn't cry if many of these (presumably temporary) routes were left out of the system.
As for the ones already in the HB, time should eventually take care of them.

[dave1693]

My belief on PA Truck Routes is that they should not be included if this is the only reason for the truck route, which I truly believe is the case here.

If the bridge in question is going to be replaced very soon (1-2 years max), then I would personally have no problems with this.  However, if there's no plan on replacing the bridge (or it's funded, but 10-15 years out), then we should add the route IMO.

I agree with rickmastfan67 on this, though I will add that we should probably investigate a particular truck route only if it is proposed.

[Markkos1992]

http://www.projects.penndot.gov/projects/Reports/ProjectReport.aspx?ProjectID=22495&ReportType=Project

Work on this PA 160 bridge is expected not to begin until 2022.  The good news about these is that I am (for the most part) using existing points.

I talked myself into being fine with adding these in, but it would be mostly on a by-request basis and low priority as I consider recentering current routes more important.

I do know that I clinched PA 23 ALT Truck around King of Prussia.

[Markkos1992]

https://github.com/TravelMapping/HighwayData/pull/2197

Adds PA 160 Truck (Wilmore-I chose here as the bridge is actually here) and PA 23 ALT Truck (King of Prussia)