Transportation

Nestled in central Pennsylvania, the Juniata River Valley keeps connections strong through reliable highways and rail service. For most folks here in Mifflin and Juniata counties, getting around starts with our expanding road network. To the north, U.S. Route 322 links Lewistown to State College and beyond, tying into Interstates 99 and 80. Southward, it runs to Harrisburg, offering access to the PA Turnpike and a web of other highways. The long push to upgrade this corridor from two lanes to a limited-access divided highway finished in our valley years back, easing daily drives and game-day rushes to Penn State.

Looking ahead, the State College Area Connector Project advances in neighboring Centre County, filling the final gap with an 8-mile, four-lane stretch from Boalsburg to Potters Mills. Now in design phase, it saw field surveys kick off in November 2025 and a Clean Water Act permit application filed in October, promising safer traffic flows and tighter ties between our communities – vital for commuters and Nittany Lion faithful alike. Closer to home, a $6 million restoration of Route 22/322 through the Lewistown Narrows – spanning seven miles across Mifflin and Juniata counties – began work this 2025 season, refreshing pavement and shoulders for steadier local hauls.

Rails run deep here too. Amtrak passenger service shares tracks with freight lines, linking us to Northeast and Midwest hubs. Travelers board at the historic Lewistown Station, the Pennsylvania Railroad’s oldest surviving structure. Built in 1849 as a freight warehouse at the line’s first western terminus, it was renovated for passengers in 1868 and still serves riders today. The Juniata Valley Railroad gives area businesses a direct line for efficient shipping, keeping goods moving without the long haul.