Pennsylvania Route 145 - History

History

PA 145 was commissioned as an east–west route from Weiders Crossing to Bath, with both termini at Pennsylvania Route 45. At the time, from Whitehall Township hamlet of Cementon to Bath, PA 145 was routed on what is today Pennsylvania Route 329. From Cementon to Tilghman Street in Allentown, PA 329 was signed as the modern MacArthur Road section of PA 145.

By 1940, Route 145 was a north–south route, replacing the previous PA 329 designation. From Tilghman Street to Lehigh Street, US 309 and PA 29 were designated along 7th Street and the northernmost part of Lehigh Street, sections of the modern PA 145. Prior to the 1960s, US 309 was designated onto the southernmost segment of present-day PA 145, from downtown Allentown to Summit Lawn.

By 1960, the southern terminus of PA 145 was slightly moved north to an interchange with I-78 and U.S. Route 22 in Whitehall Township.

In 1984, PennDOT proposed to extend Route 145 to Interstate 78 and Pennsylvania Route 309 in Lanark. Traffic engineer Samuel D. Darrohh said that Allentown is one of few Pennsylvania cities without a traffic route going through it. He supported his idea by saying that motorists also might be aided if U.S. Route 222 eventually is extended along Hamilton Boulevard to connect with the proposed PA 145 corridor. By 1991, the extension was completed.