Interstate 76
Interstate 76 (I-76) is an Interstate Highway designation in the United States assigned to two separate east–west routes: an eastern segment spanning Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey (totaling 435.7 miles or 701.1 km), and a western segment connecting Colorado and Nebraska.[1][2] The eastern Interstate 76 begins at an interchange with Interstate 71 west of Akron, Ohio, and extends eastward through Pennsylvania—where it incorporates significant portions of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and the Schuylkill Expressway—before crossing into New Jersey and terminating at Interstate 295 in Bellmawr, near Camden. The Pennsylvania portion alone measures 350.8 miles, connecting major cities including Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia, and facilitating key regional and national travel links.[3] Designated in 1963 by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and approved by the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO), its numbering follows the Interstate grid system between Interstates 70 and 80, rather than any direct reference to the year 1776 despite passing through Philadelphia, the site of the Declaration of Independence.[1] In 1972, alignments such as the Schuylkill Expressway were officially redesignated as I-76.[1] Meanwhile, the western Interstate 76 originates in Denver, Colorado, and runs northeastward for 183.99 miles across seven counties and 11 cities to its eastern terminus at Interstate 80 near Big Springs, Nebraska.[2] Originally designated as Interstate 80S, construction began in August 1958 in northern Colorado, with the final segment near Denver completed in September 1993 at a total cost of $351 million for the I-80S project.[2] It was renumbered to I-76 in January 1976 to resolve numbering conflicts and better align with the national system.[2] This route serves as a vital link between two of the longest Interstates—I-70 and I-80—supporting commerce and travel, with an estimated annual economic infusion of $278 million into Colorado businesses as of 1968 data.[2] Both segments of I-76 play crucial roles in the Interstate System, established under the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, by providing efficient corridors for freight, passenger traffic, and regional connectivity while incorporating toll facilities in the east and free-access highways in the west.[1][2]Interstate 76 (Ohio–New Jersey)
Route description
Interstate 76 (I-76) in the Ohio–New Jersey segment spans a total length of 435.66 miles (701.13 km), with 82.26 miles (132.44 km) in Ohio, 350.97 miles (564.85 km) in Pennsylvania—including a concurrency with I-70 for 87.22 miles (140.41 km)—and a short 3.04-mile (4.89 km) portion in New Jersey.[4] The highway primarily serves as a major east-west corridor connecting the Midwest to the Northeast, incorporating toll roads like the Ohio Turnpike and Pennsylvania Turnpike, as well as urban freeways such as the Schuylkill Expressway. In Ohio, I-76 begins at an interchange with I-71 west of Akron in Westfield Township and heads eastward through suburban and rural areas of Medina, Portage, and Mahoning counties. It passes near cities like Akron, Kent, and Youngstown, where it joins the Ohio Turnpike (a toll road) near North Lima, continuing east to the Pennsylvania state line. The route features four lanes in each direction in urban areas, reducing to two in rural sections, and supports freight and commuter traffic with service plazas on the turnpike.[4] The Pennsylvania section dominates the route, starting at the Ohio state line near New Castle and following the tolled Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76/I-276) eastward through Beaver, Allegheny, Westmoreland, Somerset, Bedford, Fulton, Franklin, Cumberland, York, Lancaster, Chester, and Montgomery counties. It connects major cities including Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia, with a brief overlap with I-70 from New Stanton to Breezewood. Beyond the Valley Forge interchange (exit 326), I-76 transitions to the toll-free Schuylkill Expressway, a six-lane urban freeway through Philadelphia's suburbs and city center, crossing the Delaware River via the tolled Walt Whitman Bridge into New Jersey. The turnpike portion uses a ticket system for tolling, while the expressway handles high-volume local traffic.[5][4] In New Jersey, the brief segment begins on the east side of the Walt Whitman Bridge in Gloucester City and proceeds southeast through Camden and Bellmawr in Camden County as a six-lane freeway. It interchanges with NJ 42 and terminates at a major junction with I-295, providing access to the New Jersey Turnpike and Philadelphia International Airport. This portion eliminates weaving issues via the ongoing I-295/I-76/Route 42 Direct Connection project, with phases completed through 2019 and further work in design as of 2023.[6]History
The eastern I-76 evolved from early 20th-century toll roads and urban expressways. The core Pennsylvania Turnpike opened on October 1, 1940, as a 160-mile toll road between Carlisle and Irwin, with extensions to Ohio (1949) and New Jersey (1954–1956). The Ohio Turnpike, operational since 1955, incorporated I-76 alignments. The Schuylkill Expressway in Philadelphia began construction in 1949, with sections opening from 1956 to 1960. The Walt Whitman Bridge across the Delaware River was completed in 1957.[5][4] Initially designated as Interstate 80S (an auxiliary to I-80) in 1958, the route was renumbered to I-76 in 1964 to fit the Interstate grid between I-70 and I-80, approved by the Federal Highway Administration. The full designation extended from I-71 in Ohio to I-295 in New Jersey by 1972, when the Schuylkill Expressway was officially integrated. In Ohio, the non-turnpike portion from I-71 to the turnpike was completed in stages during the 1960s, with reconstruction of the I-71 interchange from 2006 to 2010 improving ramps. Pennsylvania's turnpike saw widening projects in the 1990s and 2000s for six lanes.[1][4] Recent developments include the $900 million I-295/I-76/Route 42 Direct Connection in New Jersey, started in 2013, which rebuilt interchanges to reduce congestion; contracts were completed through 2019, with final phases ongoing as of 2025. In Pennsylvania, the Schuylkill Expressway underwent rehabilitation, including the Vine Street Expressway project completed in 2018. As of November 2025, no major route changes are planned, though maintenance continues on aging infrastructure.[6][5]Major junctions
Interstate 76 features numerous interchanges, including connections to most major Interstates in the region. The Pennsylvania Turnpike uses a ticket-based exit numbering system from mile 0 at the Ohio line to mile 359 at the Delaware River. Ohio and New Jersey use sequential mile-based numbering. Business routes exist in several Pennsylvania towns along the turnpike. Full exit lists are extensive, particularly in Pennsylvania; the tables below highlight key junctions.[4][7]Ohio
| Mile | Exit | Destinations | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.00 | — | I-71 – Cleveland, Columbus | Westfield Township |
| 1.00 | 1 | SR 94 – Lodi | Lodi |
| 8.00 | 8 | I-277 / US 224 – Akron | Akron |
| 20.00 | 20 | I-77 – Canton, Cleveland | Akron |
| 29.00 | 29 | SR 8 – Cuyahoga Falls | Cuyahoga Falls |
| 39.00 | 39 | SR 14 – Ravenna, Twinsburg | Streetsboro |
| 59.00 | 59 | I-80 / I-480 / Ohio Turnpike – Toledo, Cleveland | Brimfield |
| 209.00 | 209 | I-680 – Youngstown | North Lima |
| 82.26 | 232 | Pennsylvania state line (Ohio Turnpike ends) | New Springfield |
Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania segment includes the Pennsylvania Turnpike (exits 1–326) and Schuylkill Expressway (exits 326–352). Key junctions:| Mile | Exit | Destinations | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.00 | — | Ohio state line | New Castle |
| 10 | 10 | I-376 / PA 60 – Pittsburgh | New Castle |
| 28 | 28 | I-79 – Erie, Pittsburgh | Cranberry |
| 67 | 67 | I-70 / PA Turnpike west – New Stanton (western end of I-70 concurrency) | New Stanton |
| 161 | 161 | I-99 / US 220 – Altoona, Bedford | Bedford |
| 226 | 226 | I-70 east – Breezewood (end I-70 concurrency) | Breezewood |
| 247 | 247 | I-81 – Harrisburg | Carlisle |
| 266 | 266 | I-83 – York, Harrisburg | Valley View |
| 286 | 286 | US 15 – Gettysburg | Dillsburg |
| 326 | 326 | I-276 / PA Turnpike east / I-476 – Valley Forge (end of turnpike) | King of Prussia |
| 331 | 331 | I-476 (Mid-County Expressway) – Plymouth Meeting | Plymouth Meeting |
| 340 | 340 | US 1 – Bala Cynwyd | Bala Cynwyd |
| 343 | 343 | I-676 / US 30 – Philadelphia | Philadelphia |
| 349 | 349 | I-95 – Philadelphia International Airport, Trenton | Philadelphia |
| 352.50 | — | Walt Whitman Bridge / I-76 east – Camden NJ (New Jersey state line) | Philadelphia |
New Jersey
| Mile | Exit | Destinations | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.00 | — | Walt Whitman Bridge (tolled) / Pennsylvania state line | Gloucester City |
| 1A | 1A | NJ 42 south – Atlantic City, Philadelphia International Airport | Bellmawr |
| 1B | 1B | I-295 north / NJ Turnpike – Trenton, New York City | Bellmawr |
| 1C | 1C | US 130 – Gloucester City, Pennsauken | Gloucester City |
| 3.04 | 3 | I-295 / NJ 42 north – Camden, Trenton (eastern terminus) | Bellmawr |
Interstate 76 (Colorado–Nebraska)
Route description
Interstate 76 in the Colorado–Nebraska segment spans a total length of 187.29 miles (301.41 km), with the majority of the route—184.23 miles (296.55 km)—located in Colorado and a short 3.02-mile (4.86 km) extension in Nebraska.) The highway serves primarily as a rural connector across the Great Plains, functioning as a northern bypass around the Denver metropolitan area and linking to major east-west corridors.[12] In Colorado, Interstate 76 begins at a junction with Interstate 70 in Arvada, a suburb northwest of Denver, and proceeds northeastward through the flat, open terrain of the northern Front Range and eastern plains.[2] The route traverses rural agricultural landscapes, passing near key communities such as Brighton, which lies close to the larger city of Greeley, before continuing to Fort Morgan and Sterling.[13] These areas feature expansive farmlands and minimal urban development, with the highway maintained as a full freeway throughout, though some sections include two lanes in each direction to accommodate lower traffic volumes.[2] There are no tolls on this segment, emphasizing its role in supporting freight and agricultural transport across eight counties: Adams, Denver, Jefferson, Logan, Morgan, Sedgwick, Washington, and Weld.[2] ) The path remains largely straight and level, reflecting the region's topography of broad prairies with occasional services at interchanges in towns like Brush, Wiggins, and Hudson.[13] The Nebraska portion of Interstate 76 is brief, extending approximately three miles from the Colorado state line east of Julesburg, Colorado, to a junction with Interstate 80 near Big Springs.[14] This short segment, signed as north-south despite the overall east-west alignment, provides a direct connection to the transcontinental Interstate 80 without any concurrency, crossing flat grassland terrain with no significant services or urban areas.[15][16]History
The route of what became Interstate 76 in Colorado and Nebraska largely followed the alignments of U.S. Route 6 and U.S. Route 34, which saw improvements and widening in the 1950s and 1960s to prepare for interstate standards.[13] These pre-interstate efforts focused on upgrading rural highways across northern Colorado to handle increasing traffic between Denver and the Great Plains.[12] Construction on the highway, initially designated as Interstate 80S as an auxiliary to I-80, began in August 1958 in northern Colorado, with early work emphasizing connections from the Nebraska state line eastward.[2] By July 1966, approximately 36 miles of upgraded older roadway extended from the Nebraska border to Crook, while 24 miles between Crook and Sterling were under construction, and segments from Sterling to Fort Morgan (50 miles) and further west toward Hudson (35 miles) had already been completed.[2] Key openings included a four-mile stretch from I-25 to U.S. 85 on October 11, 1968, costing $5 million, and a four-mile segment from Julesburg to the Nebraska line in December 1969 for $1.4 million.[2][16] The Nebraska portion, a short 3.02-mile link to I-80 near Big Springs, was also completed in December 1969.[14] The highway served as part of the auxiliary system for I-70, providing an eastern spur from the Denver area toward Nebraska and beyond. The entire Colorado segment through rural areas was largely finished by the late 1960s, with the Denver-to-Brush corridor opening in 1972. The route was redesignated as I-76 on January 1, 1976, to better align with the national Interstate grid system, coinciding with the U.S. bicentennial and Colorado's state centennial; this change required replacing approximately 488 signs. Rural portions provided full interstate access by 1976, but the complete route including the final Denver metropolitan connections was achieved in 1993.[13][2] In the 1980s and 1990s, focus shifted to urban expansions and widening near Denver to address growing congestion. Construction of a six-mile segment from I-70 to I-25 began in 1978, with phased openings including the 1.6-mile stretch from I-70 to Sheridan Boulevard on December 3, 1985 ($45 million), and the final segment from Pecos Street east of I-25 on September 15, 1993 ($91 million), completing the Denver metropolitan connection.[2] The 1990s also saw widening projects, such as the reconstruction of the I-76/I-70 and Wadsworth interchange starting in February 1995 ($16.7 million) and phased rebuilds of the I-76 and SH 2/120th Avenue interchange from July 1999 to November 2002 ($45.5 million total).[2] No major renumbering occurred, though minor adjustments included integrating existing U.S. 6 alignments near Wiggins into interstate standards in 1977.[13] Into the 2020s, ongoing projects emphasize safety enhancements, particularly in rural sections prone to high-speed crashes. The I-76 Reconstruction and Improvements for Safety and Efficiency (RISE) project, including Phase IV near Brush with $29.19 million in federal funding awarded in 2024, reconstructs 1.45 miles of the corridor to improve pavement, bridges, and drainage; this phase reached 99% completion as of late 2025.[17][18][19] Safety-focused work between the Iliff and Crook interchanges, involving pavement rehabilitation, guardrail upgrades, and interchange enhancements, began in the early 2020s and was completed in November 2025.[20][21] In the Denver metro area, sign replacement efforts started in June 2023, updating overhead structures along I-76 from I-70 to Lochbuie over a six-week period to enhance visibility and compliance with modern standards, and were completed shortly thereafter.[22] As of 2025, these initiatives continue to address aging infrastructure without altering the route's core alignment.[23]Major junctions
Interstate 76 features a series of major interchanges in Colorado connecting to key regional routes, with a total of 48 exits across the state, though only about 20 are considered primary due to their links to interstates, U.S. highways, and state routes.[2] The highway includes business routes in Fort Morgan (overlapping U.S. 34) and Sterling (overlapping U.S. 6), providing access to local services.[24] In Nebraska, the route is brief with no intermediate exits, terminating at a single major interchange.[25]Colorado
| Mile | Exit | Destinations | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.00 | — | I-70 west / US 6 / US 40 – Denver, Grand Junction | Arvada |
| 5.8 | 5A-B | I-25 (US 87) – Fort Collins, Colorado Springs | Commerce City |
| 12.0 | 12 | US 85 north – Brighton, Greeley | Henderson |
| 31.0 | 31 | CO 52 – Hudson | Hudson |
| 66.0 | 66A | CO 52 / CO 39 – Goodrich, Wiggins | Wiggins |
| 75.0 | 75 | US 34 / I-76 Bus west – Greeley, Fort Morgan | Fort Morgan |
| 80.0 | 80 | CO 52 – Fort Morgan, New Raymer | Fort Morgan |
| 90.0 | 90 | CO 71 – Brush, Snyder | Brush |
| 92.0 | 92 | US 6 east / US 34 east – Akron, Yuma | Brush |
| 125.0 | 125 | US 6 / I-76 Bus east – Sterling, Holyoke | Sterling |
| 165.0 | 165 | CO 59 – Haxtun, Sedgwick | Sedgwick |
| 180.0 | 180 | US 385 – Julesburg, Ogallala NE | Julesburg |
Nebraska
| Mile | Exit | Destinations | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.00 | — | Colorado state line (continuation of I-76) | Deuel County |
| 3.02 | — | I-80 – Sidney, North Platte, Ogallala, Cheyenne WY (eastern terminus of I-76) | Big Springs |