by The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has officially revealed its recommended route for the long-anticipated State College Area Connector project. The selected plan—known as the central alternative alignment—was announced ahead of a scheduled public meeting set for May 8 in Boalsburg.
The central alternative was one of three proposed options for the project, which will create an 8-mile, four-lane limited access highway through Potter and Harris townships. It aims to improve travel between U.S. 322 at Potters Mills and the Mount Nittany Expressway near Boalsburg.
Key Route Details
The chosen alignment begins just west of the current Potters Mills Gap and closely follows the U.S. 322 corridor for about 2.4 miles. It then turns north near Tussey View Lane, crossing Spring Creek and Sharer Road, before curving back south to rejoin the existing highway near Somerset Drive.
Among the three alignments considered, the central route had the strongest public support—36% of survey respondents favored it for having the least environmental and community impact. In comparison, 35% supported the southern alternative and 18% the northern option.
Community and Environmental Considerations
According to PennDOT, the central alignment results in the lowest number of residential displacements (16 homes) and affects the smallest amount of farmland (163 acres) and commercial properties. It also avoids key sensitive areas, including the Spring Creek headwaters and the Tusseyville Historic District, and minimizes the disturbance to historic sites and potentially hazardous geology.
The route will also require the relocation of the Potter Athletic Complex, which PennDOT says can be moved to a more suitable location.
Infrastructure Enhancements
To improve traffic flow, the project includes a proposed single-point urban interchange at Route 45. This design merges all off- and on-ramps into one intersection, which PennDOT says will enhance safety and reduce congestion.
Another feature of the plan is a shared-use path for pedestrians and cyclists along Boal Avenue (local 322), stretching from Discovery Drive to Bear Meadows Road. This element is being coordinated with Harris Township to support multi-modal travel.
What’s Next?
The public is invited to learn more at the May 8 scoping meeting, taking place from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Wyndham Garden State College in Boalsburg. Attendees can view project materials, meet with the study team, and provide feedback.
Comments can also be submitted by:
- Mail: PennDOT District 2-0, Attn: Eric Murnyack or Leigh Woolridge, 70 PennDOT Drive, Clearfield, PA 16830
- Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
- Online: Via the State College Area Connector website
A public hearing is expected this fall following the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. The final impact report and decision are anticipated by June 2026.
If approved by the Federal Highway Administration, the project will move into final design, right-of-way acquisition, and eventually construction, which is currently projected to begin in 2030 and last about five years.
