Need for the Project

While earlier studies focused on the Meyersdale area, they clearly show a need for improvements along U.S. 219, both north and south of the Meyersdale bypass. This led PENNDOT to prepare a 1999 Needs Analysis. This analysis indicates that improvements to U.S. 219 are needed between Somerset, Pennsylvania and I-68 in Maryland, for the following reasons:

Deficient levels of service for most roadway segments
Accident rates that are higher than the statewide average (Rates are particularly high along the Garrett Shortcut, which is used as an alternative to the longer, more circuitous U.S. 219 north of Garrett)
Geometric features that do not meet current design standards
Travel times and delays
"Inefficient system linkage for motorists traveling between the four-lane section of U.S. 219 or the PA Turnpike (I-70/76) in Somerset"
Insufficient access to local communities

In addition, existing U.S. 219 is a "significant contributing factor in limiting economic development."

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Need for the Project