Cool Dates

  • 1696 - First public road built in Philadelphia County

  • 1751 - The Pennsylvania Road opened, Philadelphia to Carlisle

  • 1758 - Forbes Road cut through wilderness, Bedford to Pittsburgh

  • 1792 - Era of "Turnpike" Roads began, privately built

  • 1903 - Pennsylvania State Highway Department created

  • 1911 - Sproul Act established State Highway System, 8,835 miles

  • 1925 - State Highway Department issues its first highway map

  • 1932 - Penrose Rural Roads Act adds 20,156 miles to system