{{Short description|State highway in Pennsylvania, US}} {{redirect|Woodhaven Road|the road in New York City|Woodhaven and Cross Bay Boulevards}} {{Use American English|date=April 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox road | state = PA | type = PA | route = 63 | maint = [[Pennsylvania Department of Transportation|PennDOT]] and [[Philadelphia|City of Philadelphia]] | map = {{maplink-road|from=Pennsylvania Route 63.map}} | map_custom = yes | map_notes = Map of southeastern Pennsylvania with PA 63 highlighted in red | length_mi = 37.417 | length_ref = <ref name="PennDOT SLD">{{cite report|author=Bureau of Maintenance and Operations|url=http://www.penndot.gov/ProjectAndPrograms/ResearchandTesting/RoadwayManagementandTesting/Pages/RMS-Annual-SLDs-By-County.aspx#.VrD1GVIVSSo|title=Roadway Management System Straight Line Diagrams|date=January 2015|edition=2015|publisher=Pennsylvania Department of Transportation|access-date=June 30, 2015}} *[http://www.dot.state.pa.us/public/Bureaus/BOMO/RM/RITS/Annual%20Electronic%20SLDs%20by%20County/District%206/Montgomery%20Without%20Pipes.pdf Montgomery County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206170556/http://www.dot.state.pa.us/public/Bureaus/BOMO/RM/RITS/Annual%20Electronic%20SLDs%20by%20County/District%206/Montgomery%20Without%20Pipes.pdf |date=February 6, 2016 }} (PDF) *[http://www.dot.state.pa.us/public/Bureaus/BOMO/RM/RITS/Annual%20Electronic%20SLDs%20by%20County/District%206/Philadelphia%20Without%20Pipes.pdf Philadelphia County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206221933/http://www.dot.state.pa.us/public/Bureaus/BOMO/RM/RITS/Annual%20Electronic%20SLDs%20by%20County/District%206/Philadelphia%20Without%20Pipes.pdf |date=February 6, 2016 }} (PDF) *[http://www.dot.state.pa.us/public/Bureaus/BOMO/RM/RITS/Annual%20Electronic%20SLDs%20by%20County/District%206/Bucks%20Without%20Pipes.pdf Bucks County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206190156/http://www.dot.state.pa.us/public/Bureaus/BOMO/RM/RITS/Annual%20Electronic%20SLDs%20by%20County/District%206/Bucks%20Without%20Pipes.pdf |date=February 6, 2016 }} (PDF)</ref> | length_round = 3 | established = by 1927<ref name=ttmap/> | direction_a = West | terminus_a = {{jct|state=PA|PA|29}} in [[Green Lane, Pennsylvania|Green Lane]] | junction = {{plainlist| *{{jct|state=PA|PA|113}} in [[Harleysville, Pennsylvania|Harleysville]] *{{jct|state=PA|I-Toll|476|PANE}} in [[Kulpsville, Pennsylvania|Kulpsville]] *{{jct|state=PA|PA|363}} in [[Lansdale, Pennsylvania|Lansdale]] *{{jct|state=PA|US|202}} near [[North Wales, Pennsylvania|North Wales]] *{{jct|state=PA|PA|309}} near North Wales *{{jct|state=PA|PA|152}} in [[Maple Glen, Pennsylvania|Maple Glen]] *{{jct|state=PA|PA|611}} in [[Willow Grove, Pennsylvania|Willow Grove]] *{{jct|state=PA|PA|232}} in [[Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania|Huntingdon Valley]] *{{jct|state=PA|US|1}} in [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]] *{{jct|state=PA|US|13}} in [[Bensalem Township, Pennsylvania|Bensalem Township]] }} | direction_b = East | terminus_b = {{jct|state=PA|I|95}} in Bensalem Township | counties = [[Montgomery County, Pennsylvania|Montgomery]], [[Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]], [[Bucks County, Pennsylvania|Bucks]] | previous_type = PA 1926 | previous_dab = 1920s | previous_route = 62 | next_type = PA | next_route = 64 }}
'''Pennsylvania Route 63''' ('''PA 63''') is a {{convert|37.4|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} [[state highway]] located in the [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], area. The western terminus of the route is at [[Pennsylvania Route 29|PA 29]] in [[Green Lane, Pennsylvania|Green Lane]], [[Montgomery County, Pennsylvania|Montgomery County]]. The eastern terminus is at [[Interstate 95 (Pennsylvania)|Interstate 95]] (I-95) in [[Bensalem Township, Pennsylvania|Bensalem Township]], [[Bucks County, Pennsylvania|Bucks County]]. PA 63 runs northwest to southeast for most of its length. The route heads through a mix of suburban and rural areas of northern Montgomery County as a two-lane road, passing through [[Harleysville, Pennsylvania|Harleysville]], before coming to an interchange with [[Interstate 476|I-476]] ([[Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension]]) in [[Kulpsville, Pennsylvania|Kulpsville]]. From this point, PA 63 continues through predominantly suburban areas of eastern Montgomery County as a two- to four-lane road, passing through [[Lansdale, Pennsylvania|Lansdale]], [[Maple Glen, Pennsylvania|Maple Glen]], [[Willow Grove, Pennsylvania|Willow Grove]], and [[Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania|Huntingdon Valley]]. Upon entering [[Northeast Philadelphia]], the route follows Red Lion Road and [[U.S. Route 1 in Pennsylvania|U.S. Route 1]] (US 1) before heading southeast on a [[controlled-access highway|freeway]] called '''Woodhaven Road''' to I-95.
What would become PA 63 was originally designated as Legislative Route 198 in 1911, running from Green Lane to Northeast Philadelphia. When first designated, PA 63 ran from PA 29 in Green Lane east to [[U.S. Route 611|US 611]] (now PA 611) in Willow Grove, following its current alignment. In 1928, it was extended east to [[Pennsylvania Route 532|PA 532]] in Northeast Philadelphia, following Edge Hill Road, Terwood Road, and Welsh Road to [[Bethayres, Pennsylvania|Bethayres]], where the route continued along Philmont Avenue to PA 532. By 1940, PA 63 was moved to its current alignment between Willow Grove and Bethayres and was realigned to follow Byberry Road to PA 532. The former alignment of PA 63 on Edge Hill Road and Terwood Road became [[Pennsylvania Route 163 (1920s)|PA 163]], which was removed by 1950. In the 1950s, the Woodhaven Road freeway was planned to serve Northeast Philadelphia, connecting I-95 to PA 63 at Philmont Avenue, with a further extension northwest to [[Interstate 276|I-276]] ([[Pennsylvania Turnpike]]) in [[Southampton, Pennsylvania|Southampton]] once planned. The freeway was completed to Evans Street just west of US 1 in the 1960s and PA 63 was extended along Byberry Road and Woodhaven Road to end at I-95. In the 1980s, PA 63 was rerouted to use Red Lion Road and US 1 to reach Woodhaven Road. Plans to extend Woodhaven Road northwest through the rest of Northeast Philadelphia remain, but have been on hold due to community opposition and financial constraints.
==Route description== ===Green Lane to Lansdale=== [[File:PA 63 WB past Wambold Road.jpeg|thumb|right|PA 63 westbound in Mainland]] PA 63 begins at a [[T intersection]] with [[Pennsylvania Route 29|PA 29]] (Gravel Pike) in the borough of [[Green Lane, Pennsylvania|Green Lane]] in [[Montgomery County, Pennsylvania|Montgomery County]]. From this intersection, the route heads southeast as two-lane undivided Main Street, passing by several homes. After crossing Upper Ridge Road, the road enters [[Marlborough Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania|Marlborough Township]] and becomes Sumneytown Pike. PA 63 continues through rural areas with some development, passing through the community of [[Sumneytown, Pennsylvania|Sumneytown]]. Upon crossing [[Unami Creek]], the route enters [[Upper Salford Township, Pennsylvania|Upper Salford Township]] and heads into forested areas, where PA 63 meets the southern terminus of [[Pennsylvania Route 563|PA 563]] (Ridge Road) and Old Skippack Road at an intersection.<ref name=gm>{{google maps|url=https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=PA+29+and+PA+63+green+lane,+pa&daddr=40.252394,-75.349818+to:40.25942,-75.32464+to:40.162729,-75.152737+to:40.1334804,-75.1037885+to:40.10837,-75.04125+to:40.07132,+-74.96196&hl=en&sll=40.090155,-75.005207&sspn=0.066451,0.169086&geocode=FXKGZwId3GSA-yktfduPop3GiTFjG2_bqIuNPg%3BFeozZgIdxkCC-ynNI0g8pZjGiTGPBgrR0N_PhQ%3BFVxPZgIdIKOC-ynhrXG2HaLGiTGZBAAFexn_zQ%3BFanVZAIdn0KF-ykrcVlI_6_GiTFaXq18HcNobQ%3BFWhjZAId1AGG-yl3UtBZyrHGiTFOx2k2o4RbPQ%3BFVIBZAIdHvaG-ymjs1muNrLGiTEvA0DVHVlsYw%3BFZhwYwId2CuI-w&mra=ls&via=1,2,3,4,5&t=h&z=10|title=overview of Pennsylvania Route 63|access-date=2012-03-06}}</ref><ref name=adcmontgomery>{{cite map|publisher=[[ADC Map]]|title=Montgomery County, Pennsylvania |year=2006|edition=18th|scale= 1"=2000'|isbn=0-87530-775-2}}</ref> Following that intersection, the road passes through a mix of farmland, woodland, and residential developments, reaching a junction with Barndt Road.<ref name=gm/> The route crosses over the [[East Branch Perkiomen Creek]] before entering [[Lower Salford Township, Pennsylvania|Lower Salford Township]] at the intersection with Morwood Road.<ref name=adcmontgomery/> At this point, PA 63 becomes Main Street and heads into the community of [[Harleysville, Pennsylvania|Harleysville]], where it passes through suburban residential neighborhoods before heading into a commercial area, crossing [[Pennsylvania Route 113|PA 113]] (Harleysville Pike).<ref name=gm/><ref name=adcmontgomery/>
In the area of this intersection, PA 63 is briefly a [[divided highway]]. After PA 113, the road passes through the center of Harleysville. The road turns south, becoming a three-lane road with a [[center left-turn lane]] before it heads to the southeast again as a two-lane road, continuing past a mix of farm fields and residential and commercial development.<ref name=gm/> PA 63 bypasses the community of [[Mainland, Pennsylvania|Mainland]] to the northeast with two westbound lanes and one eastbound lane. After crossing [[Skippack Creek]], the road enters [[Towamencin Township, Pennsylvania|Towamencin Township]] at the Wambold Road intersection, at which point it heads into the [[North Penn Valley]] region.<ref name=adcmontgomery/>
[[File:PA 63 WB past Orvilla Road.jpeg|thumb|left|PA 63 westbound on the Towamencin–Hatfield township line]] In Towamencin Township, PA 63 widens to four lanes and is called Sumneytown Pike again, passing woods and development before reaching the Lansdale interchange with [[Interstate 476|I-476]] ([[Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension]]). The I-476 interchange includes full access via a ramp passing through the toll plaza along with additional ramps to southbound I-476 and from northbound I-476. Southeast of I-476, the route enters a commercial area in the community of [[Kulpsville, Pennsylvania|Kulpsville]], where PA 63 turns northeast onto Forty Foot Road, a five-lane road with a center left-turn lane.<ref name=gm/><ref name=adcmontgomery/> The highway passes through suburban areas, narrowing to three lanes before widening back to five lanes. Along this stretch, the route passes southeast of [[Dock Mennonite Academy]] before crossing Allentown Road.<ref name=gm/> A short distance later, PA 63 reaches a commercial area and turns southeast onto two-lane undivided Welsh Road, with Forty Foot Road continuing northeast toward the borough of [[Hatfield, Pennsylvania|Hatfield]] as [[Pennsylvania Route 463|PA 463]].<ref name=adcmontgomery/> Along Welsh Road, PA 63 forms the border between [[Hatfield Township, Pennsylvania|Hatfield Township]] to the northeast and Towamencin Township to the southwest. The road heads through residential neighborhoods, crossing Orvilla Road.<ref name=gm/><ref name=adcmontgomery/>
At the intersection with Squirrel Lane/Oak Boulevard, PA 63 briefly forms the border between the borough of [[Lansdale, Pennsylvania|Lansdale]] to the northeast and Towamencin Township to the southwest before fully entering Lansdale and becoming Main Street.<ref name=adcmontgomery/> The road passes a mix of homes and businesses, coming to a junction with the northern terminus of [[Pennsylvania Route 363|PA 363]] (Valley Forge Road). After the PA 363 junction, the road runs through the downtown area of Lansdale, where the route crosses the [[Liberty Bell Trail]] and [[SEPTA]]'s [[Lansdale/Doylestown Line]] at-grade south of the [[Lansdale station]] before it intersects Broad Street.<ref name=gm/><ref name=adcmontgomery/> The road leaves the downtown and heads into areas of homes and businesses.<ref name=gm/> At a crossing of [[Wissahickon Creek]], PA 63 forms the border between Lansdale to the northeast and [[Upper Gwynedd Township, Pennsylvania|Upper Gwynedd Township]] to the southwest.<ref name=adcmontgomery/>
===Lansdale to Philadelphia=== [[File:PA 63 WB past North Wales Road.jpeg|thumb|right|PA 63 westbound past North Wales Road in Lansdale]] After intersecting North Wales Road, PA 63 runs along the border of [[Montgomery Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania|Montgomery Township]] and Upper Gwynedd Township and again becomes Welsh Road, passing several businesses as a four-lane divided road. The route becomes a two-lane undivided road as it heads between business parks to the northeast and farms and woods to the southwest ahead of a junction with [[U.S. Route 202 Business (Montgomeryville–Doylestown, Pennsylvania)|US 202 Bus.]] (Dekalb Pike). A short distance after intersecting the [[U.S. Route 202 in Pennsylvania|US 202]] parkway and the southern terminus of the [[US 202 Parkway Trail]], PA 63 forms the border between Montgomery Township to the northeast and [[Lower Gwynedd Township, Pennsylvania|Lower Gwynedd Township]] to the southwest.<ref name=gm/><ref name=adcmontgomery/> The road passes through a mix of residential and commercial development, widening into a three-lane road with two westbound lanes and one eastbound lane.<ref name=gm/> PA 63 intersects Evans Road before it leaves the North Penn Valley region as it becomes the border between [[Horsham Township, Pennsylvania|Horsham Township]] and Lower Gwynedd Township and crosses [[Pennsylvania Route 309|PA 309]] ([[Bethlehem Pike]]), with [[jughandle]]s controlling the movements from PA 309 to PA 63.<ref name=gm/><ref name=adcmontgomery/>
The route narrows back to two lanes as it passes residential subdivisions, crossing [[Park Creek (Little Neshaminy Creek tributary)|Park Creek]] before becoming the border between Horsham Township to the northeast and [[Upper Dublin Township, Pennsylvania|Upper Dublin Township]] to the southwest at the Tennis Avenue intersection. Farther southeast, the road comes to a junction with [[Butler Pike]]. Upon reaching the community of [[Maple Glen, Pennsylvania|Maple Glen]], PA 63 passes businesses and crosses [[Pennsylvania Route 152|PA 152]] (Limekiln Pike) and Norristown Road.<ref name=gm/><ref name=adcmontgomery/> Past Maple Glen, the road continues past more homes along with a few farms.<ref name=gm/><ref name=adcmontgomery/>
[[File:PA 63 EB shield past Fitzwatertown Road intersection.jpeg|thumb|left|PA 63 eastbound in Willow Grove]]Farther southeast, the route turns into a three-lane road with one eastbound lane and two westbound lanes as it passes near a mix of business parks and residential and commercial development.<ref name=gm/> PA 63 widens to four lanes at Dresher Road, with two lanes in each direction, and soon reaches a junction with Dreshertown Road. The road becomes a five-lane road with a center left-turn lane as it comes to the Blair Mill Road intersection, at which point it forms the border between [[Upper Moreland Township, Pennsylvania|Upper Moreland Township]] to the northeast and Upper Dublin Township to the southwest.<ref name=gm/><ref name=adcmontgomery/>
PA 63 turns into a four-lane divided highway that soon becomes undivided as it crosses over the [[Pennsylvania Turnpike]] ([[Interstate 276|I-276]]) and [[Norfolk Southern]]'s [[Morrisville Line]] before heading into a mix of residential and commercial areas as a five-lane road again. Upon forming the border between Upper Moreland Township and [[Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania|Abington Township]], the road name changes to Moreland Road and it briefly turns into a divided highway at the Fitzwatertown Road intersection. The route heads into the community of [[Willow Grove, Pennsylvania|Willow Grove]] as a five-lane road. The road enters business areas, becoming a divided highway again as it passes to the northeast of the [[Willow Grove Park Mall]]. PA 63 intersects Easton Road and loses the median at the Davisville Road junction before crossing SEPTA's [[Warminster Line]] at-grade. The route passes a mix of homes and businesses as it comes to an intersection with [[Pennsylvania Route 611|PA 611]] ([[Old York Road]]).<ref name=gm/><ref name=adcmontgomery/>
At this point, PA 63 heads into wooded residential areas as a two-lane road.<ref name=gm/> At the intersection with Edge Hill Road, the route turns southwest onto that road and fully enters Abington Township. Farther southwest, PA 63 makes a turn southeast onto Old Welsh Road. The road curves to the east and crosses into [[Lower Moreland Township, Pennsylvania|Lower Moreland Township]].<ref name=adcmontgomery/> The road becomes Welsh Road again and widens to four lanes as it enters a mix of residential and commercial establishments in the community of [[Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania|Huntingdon Valley]], crossing the [[Pennypack Trail]] at the Terwood Road intersection and the [[Pennypack Creek]]. At the junction with Carson Terrace/Walton Road, there is a westbound jughandle for right turns and U-turns. Upon intersecting [[Pennsylvania Route 232|PA 232]] (Huntingdon Pike) in the community of [[Bethayres, Pennsylvania|Bethayres]], the route becomes Philmont Avenue and narrows back to two lanes. PA 63 turns south-southeast onto Red Lion Road and crosses SEPTA's [[West Trenton Line]] at-grade as it continues through wooded residential subdivisions, making a curve to the southeast and intersecting Pine Road before heading into the city of [[Philadelphia]] in [[Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia County]].<ref name=gm/><ref name=adcmontgomery/>
===Philadelphia to Bensalem=== [[File:PA 63 WB at Franklin Mills Boulevard-Millbrook Road.jpeg|thumb|right|PA 63 westbound on Woodhaven Road at the Franklin Mills Boulevard/Millbrook Road exit in Northeast Philadelphia]]PA 63 enters the [[Northeast Philadelphia]] section of the city a short distance past the Pine Road intersection. PA 63 widens into a four-lane divided highway and passes between a former golf course (site of the former [[Budd Company]] Red Lion plant) to the north and homes and industrial developments to the south. The road continues through a mix of residential and commercial development as it crosses Verree Road and [[Pennsylvania Route 532|PA 532]] (Bustleton Avenue). East of PA 532, the route passes over [[CSX]]'s [[Trenton Subdivision (CSX Transportation)|Trenton Subdivision]] railroad line and comes to an intersection with [[U.S. Route 1 in Pennsylvania|US 1]] ([[Roosevelt Boulevard (Philadelphia)|Roosevelt Boulevard]]).<ref name=gm/><ref name=adcphiladelphia/>
PA 63 turns northeast and forms a [[concurrency (road)|concurrency]] with US 1 on Roosevelt Boulevard, a wide [[boulevard]] with [[local-express lanes]].<ref name=gm/><ref name=adcphiladelphia>{{cite map|publisher=[[ADC Map]]|title=Metro Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |year=2006|edition=19th|scale= 1"=2000'|isbn=978-0-87530-777-0}}</ref> The road carries a 3-3-3-3 lane configuration as it heads northeast through areas of businesses and industrial parks.<ref name=gm/> After intersecting Byberry Road, the concurrency with US 1 ends at an unfinished [[cloverleaf interchange]] with Woodhaven Road, where PA 63 heads southeast onto the Woodhaven Road freeway. Woodhaven Road continues northwest of US 1 as an unsigned [[quadrant route]] numbered State Route 1022 to an intersection with Evans Street, which connects to Byberry Road, before coming to a dead end at an entrance to an industrial park.<ref name=adcphiladelphia/>
[[File:2022-10-14 15 29 41 View east along Pennsylvania State Route 63 (Woodhaven Road) from the overpass for Millbrook Road in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.jpg|thumb|left|PA 63 eastbound on Woodhaven Road at Millbrook Road in Northeast Philadelphia]] Woodhaven Road, a six-lane freeway lined with [[frontage road]]s that have the same name, carries the route southeast between an industrial park to the northeast and residential neighborhoods to the southwest as it crosses [[Byberry Creek]] and comes to the Thornton Road interchange. Past here, the freeway passes residential areas on both sides and has a westbound exit for Academy Road and a full interchange with Knights Road. At this point, the surroundings along PA 63 become commercial as it comes to the Franklin Mills Boulevard/Millbrook Road interchange that provides access to the [[Franklin Mall (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)|Franklin Mall]] located to the northeast of the road.<ref name=gm/><ref name=adcphiladelphia/> Within the interchange, the road is temporarily four lanes wide.<ref name=gm/> The frontage roads end past that interchange as Woodhaven Road turns south to cross [[Poquessing Creek]], where it heads into [[Bensalem Township, Pennsylvania|Bensalem Township]] in [[Bucks County, Pennsylvania|Bucks County]].<ref name=gm/><ref name=adcphiladelphia/> Upon entering Bucks County, the route has a [[partial cloverleaf interchange]] with [[U.S. Route 13 in Pennsylvania|US 13]] (Bristol Pike). A short distance south of US 13, PA 63 ends at a [[trumpet interchange]] with [[Interstate 95 in Pennsylvania|I-95]]. This interchange also has access to the [[park and ride]] lot at the [[Cornwells Heights station]] on [[Amtrak]]'s [[Northeast Corridor]] and SEPTA's [[Trenton Line]].<ref name=adcbucks>{{cite map|publisher=[[ADC Map]]|title=Bucks County, Pennsylvania |year=2006|edition=19th|scale= 1"=2000'|isbn=0-87530-774-4}}</ref>
In 2015, PA 63 had an [[annual average daily traffic]] count ranging from a high of 65,000 vehicles between Knights Road and I-95 to a low of 10,000 vehicles between PA 309 and PA 152.<ref name=PennDOTTVMap>{{cite map |author= Pennsylvania Department of Transportation |title= Pennsylvania Traffic Volume Map |url= http://www.dot7.state.pa.us/BPR_PDF_FILES/MAPS/Traffic/Traffic_Volume/Statewide/Statewide_2015_tv.pdf |year= 2015 |publisher= Pennsylvania Department of Transportation |access-date= January 3, 2018 |archive-date= October 25, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171025133838/http://www.dot7.state.pa.us/BPR_PDF_FILES/MAPS/Traffic/Traffic_Volume/Statewide/Statewide_2015_tv.pdf |url-status= dead }}</ref> The entire length of PA 63 is part of the [[National Highway System (United States)|National Highway System]].<ref name="NHS">{{cite map|publisher=[[Federal Highway Administration]]|title=National Highway System: Pennsylvania|format=PDF|url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/nhs_maps/pennsylvania/pa_pennsylvania.pdf|year=2010|access-date=February 10, 2012}}</ref>
==History== [[File:PA 63 WB shield past PA 152.jpeg|thumb|right|PA 63 westbound past PA 152 in Maple Glen]] In 1911, what would become PA 63 was designated as Legislative Route 198 between Green Lane and Philadelphia.<ref name="PennDOT 1911">{{cite map|publisher=[[Pennsylvania Department of Highways]]|title=Map of Pennsylvania Showing State Highways|url=http://www.dot7.state.pa.us/BPR_PDF_FILES/MAPS/Statewide/Historic_OTMs/1911.pdf|year=1911|access-date=2010-06-24|archive-date=2016-03-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302111938/http://www.dot7.state.pa.us/BPR_PDF_FILES/MAPS/Statewide/Historic_OTMs/1911.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> By 1927, PA 63 was designated to run from PA 29 in Green Lane to [[U.S. Route 611|US 611]] (now PA 611) in Willow Grove, following its current alignment.<ref name=ttmap>{{cite map|url=http://www.jimmyandsharonwilliams.com/njroads/1920s/maps/1927tt2.jpg|title=Map of New Jersey|year=1927|publisher=Tydol Trails|access-date=February 9, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514153745/http://www.jimmyandsharonwilliams.com/njroads/1920s/maps/1927tt2.jpg|archive-date=May 14, 2011}}</ref> PA 63 was extended east to PA 532 in Philadelphia in 1928, following its current alignment between US 611 and Edge Hill Road in Willow Grove. From this intersection, the road followed Edge Hill Road and Terwood Road east before following Welsh Road to an intersection with [[Pennsylvania Route 163 (1920s)|PA 163]]/PA 232 in Bethayres and following Philmont Avenue between PA 163/PA 232 and PA 532.<ref name="PennDOT 1928">{{cite map|publisher=Pennsylvania Department of Highways|title=Map of Pennsylvania| url=http://www.mapsofpa.com/art9pics/1928-1131-2.jpg|year=1928|access-date=May 7, 2015}}</ref>
By 1930, PA 63 had seven auxiliary routes: PA 163, [[Pennsylvania Route 263|PA 263]], PA 363, PA 463, PA 563, [[Pennsylvania Route 663|PA 663]], and [[Pennsylvania Route 763|PA 763]].<ref name="PennDOT 1930">{{cite map|publisher=Pennsylvania Department of Highways|title=Tourist Map of Pennsylvania|url=http://www.dot7.state.pa.us/BPR_PDF_FILES/MAPS/Statewide/Historic_OTMs/1930fr.pdf|year=1930|access-date=2010-06-24|archive-date=2016-03-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307043121/http://www.dot7.state.pa.us/BPR_PDF_FILES/MAPS/Statewide/Historic_OTMs/1930fr.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> PA 63 was moved to its current alignment between Willow Grove and Bethayres by 1940, with the former alignment of the route between these two points becoming a rerouted PA 163. Also by this time, PA 63 was rerouted to follow Byberry Road between Philmont Avenue and PA 532.<ref name="PennDOT 1940">{{cite map|publisher=Pennsylvania Department of Highways|title=Official Road Map of Pennsylvania|url=http://www.dot7.state.pa.us/BPR_PDF_FILES/MAPS/Statewide/Historic_OTMs/1940fr.pdf|year=1940|access-date=2010-06-24|archive-date=2016-03-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307013539/http://www.dot7.state.pa.us/BPR_PDF_FILES/MAPS/Statewide/Historic_OTMs/1940fr.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> By 1950, the PA 163 designation was removed from Edge Hill Road and Terwood Road.<ref name="PennDOT 1950">{{cite map|publisher=Pennsylvania Department of Highways|title=Official Road Map of Pennsylvania|url=http://www.dot7.state.pa.us/BPR_PDF_FILES/MAPS/Statewide/Historic_OTMs/1950fr.pdf|year=1950|access-date=2010-06-24|archive-date=2016-03-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307034421/http://www.dot7.state.pa.us/BPR_PDF_FILES/MAPS/Statewide/Historic_OTMs/1950fr.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In 1954, the Philadelphia City Planning Commission planned a freeway named Woodhaven Road to run from I-95 in Bensalem Township northwest to Lower Moreland Township, passing through Northeast Philadelphia.<ref name=inq>{{cite news|last=McFadden|first=James P. |title=Loop Highways To Cut Tie-Ups Urged for Area |newspaper=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] |date=December 22, 1957}}</ref> Construction on Woodhaven Road began in 1962 with completion between I-95 and US 13 in 1963 and northwest past US 1 to Evans Street in 1966.<ref name=dvrpc>{{cite book|title=1985 Regional Transportation Plan|publisher=[[Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission]] |year=1969}}</ref> Following the completion of the freeway, PA 63 was extended east onto it.<ref name="PennDOT 1970">{{cite map|publisher=Pennsylvania Department of Highways|title=Official Map of Pennsylvania|url=http://www.dot7.state.pa.us/BPR_PDF_FILES/MAPS/Statewide/Historic_OTMs/1970fr.pdf|year=1970|access-date=2010-06-24|archive-date=2016-03-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307055042/http://www.dot7.state.pa.us/BPR_PDF_FILES/MAPS/Statewide/Historic_OTMs/1970fr.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> By 1983, PA 63 was rerouted to use Red Lion Road and US 1 between Philmont Avenue and Woodhaven Road instead of Byberry Road.<ref name="statefarm">{{cite map|publisher=[[State Farm Insurance]]|title= State Farm Road Atlas |year=1983|cartography=[[Rand McNally]]}}</ref>
[[File:Woodhaven Road WB past Evans Street.jpeg|thumb|left|Stub end of the Woodhaven Road freeway west of the US 1 interchange in Northeast Philadelphia]] The PA 63 freeway was at one time proposed to continue northwest from Northeast Philadelphia to the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-276) in [[Southampton, Pennsylvania|Southampton]]. From here, the freeway would become known as the Cross County Expressway and serve the PA 611 corridor, utilizing the [[Doylestown, Pennsylvania|Doylestown]] Bypass as it continued north to the south end of the [[Pennsylvania Route 33|PA 33]] freeway near [[Easton, Pennsylvania|Easton]]. The freeway south of the Pennsylvania Turnpike was planned to cost $68 million and be finished by 1975 while the part north of there was planned to be completed by 1985. However, this freeway was never built.<ref name=dvrpc/> Meanwhile, plans still existed to extend Woodhaven Road from Evans Street to the Montgomery County border at Philmont Avenue. This extension had been approved by the [[Federal Highway Administration]] in 1968 and the [[Pennsylvania Department of Transportation]] (PennDOT) had torn down 28 homes in the [[Somerton, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Somerton]] neighborhood in order to build the road. The Woodhaven Road extension was cancelled in the late 1970s due to funding issues and opposition from Lower Moreland Township residents who did not want to see increased congestion from the extension.<ref name=inq2>{{cite news|last=Nussbaum|first=Paul |title=Schuylkill Carries the Load of Many Roads Left Unbuilt |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=August 19, 1984}}</ref>
In 1988, the Woodhaven Road extension resurfaced as a means to relieve traffic along Byberry Road. This proposed extension was to continue west only to PA 532 (Bustleton Avenue).<ref name=inq3>{{cite news|title=Woodhaven Road Announcement Chagrins Group|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=September 11, 1988}}</ref> However, Lower Moreland Township officials again voiced their opposition that the extension would increase traffic on area roads. In addition, residents in the Westwood development blocked the proposed road.<ref name=inq4>{{cite news|last=Van Atta|first=Burr|title=Plans for Woodhaven Road Draw Debate|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=November 19, 1989}}</ref> PennDOT removed the Woodhaven Road extension from its long-range plans in 1996.<ref name=inq5>{{cite news|last=Lowgauie|first=Pam, Drew Weaver, and Robert Moran|title=PennDOT Cutbacks Will Hit Area Hard|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=February 14, 1996}}</ref>
Despite this, plans for extending Woodhaven Road resurfaced in 2001 when local officials began discussing the extension with PennDOT.<ref name=nt>{{cite news |last=Kenny|first=William|title=Is Woodhaven Road extension just around the corner? |newspaper=[[Northeast Times]] |date=May 30, 2001}}</ref> Various options for the extension were created, including extending the freeway as far as Philmont Avenue and possibly PA 232 (Huntingdon Pike) as well as widening and improving adjacent roads including PA 532 (Bustleton Avenue) and Byberry Road.<ref name=nt2>{{cite news |last=Kenny|first=William|title=Woodhaven extension is still in tow |newspaper=Northeast Times |date=July 4, 2001}}</ref> In addition, the project also calls for replacing the weight-restricted Byberry Road bridge over a CSX rail line.<ref name=nt3/>
[[File:PA 63 EB shield past Dreshertown Road.jpeg|thumb|right|PA 63 eastbound on the Horsham-Upper Dublin township line]] After putting the Woodhaven Road project on hold due to budget issues, PennDOT brought it back again as a [[parkway]] that is to continue west to PA 532, with an estimated cost of $30 million. Under this proposal, the railroad bridge is to be replaced, with Byberry Road terminating at [[cul-de-sac]]s on both sides. The current Woodhaven Road extension plan continues to face opposition from area residents who fear increased traffic.<ref name=nt3>{{cite news |last=Kenny|first=William|access-date=2010-06-24|title=Somerton group votes against Woodhaven plan|newspaper=Northeast Times |date=April 17, 2008|url=http://www.stopwoodhavenroad.com/NE%20Times%20Apr_17_2008.html }}</ref>
In June 2011, the portion of PA 63 in Mainland between Freed Road and Old Forty Foot Road was shifted to a new alignment to the northeast, with the old alignment becoming Mainland Road.<ref name=penndot2011>{{cite web|access-date=2015-05-26|title=New Route 63 (Sumneytown Pike) Alignment to Open Monday in Montgomery County|publisher=Pennsylvania Department of Transportation|date=June 2, 2011|url=http://www.dot.state.pa.us/penndot/Districts/District6/D6Media.nsf/cd20de0d8cd84b3785256d66005b622b/aa39e9fad0f9e295852578a300601f5d?OpenDocument|archive-date=September 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923220101/http://www.dot.state.pa.us/penndot/Districts/District6/D6Media.nsf/cd20de0d8cd84b3785256d66005b622b/aa39e9fad0f9e295852578a300601f5d?OpenDocument|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission]] constructed two new [[E-ZPass]]-only ramps at the Lansdale interchange between I-476 (Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension) and PA 63 in order to relieve congestion at the toll plaza. This new northbound exit ramp opened December 4, 2016, and the companion southbound on-ramp opened a week later.<ref>{{cite web|title=E-ZPass Only Ramps to Open at Lansdale Interchange on Northeastern Extension|publisher=Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission|date=December 2, 2016|url=https://www.paturnpike.com/press/2016/20161202152213.htm|access-date=January 1, 2017|archive-date=January 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103002332/https://www.paturnpike.com/press/2016/20161202152213.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> There are plans to construct an interchange between the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-276) and PA 63 near Willow Grove.<ref>{{cite web|title=Potential Welsh Road (PA 63) Interchange|publisher=Montgomery County, Pennsylvania|url=https://www.montcopa.org/DocumentCenter/View/6703/MontCo_PATurnpike_Report_FINAL_Welsh_WEB?bidId=|access-date=December 26, 2020}}</ref>
==Major intersections== {{PAinttop|length_ref=<ref name="PennDOT SLD"/>}} {{PAint |county=Montgomery |cspan=12 |location=Green Lane |mile=0.000 |road={{jct|state=PA|PA|29|name1=Gravel Pike|city1=Schwenksville|city2=Red Hill}} |notes=Western terminus }} {{PAint |location=Upper Salford Township |feet=10559 |road={{jct|state=PA|PA|563|dir1=north}} |notes=Southern terminus of PA 563 }} {{PAint |location=Lower Salford Township |feet=30670 |road={{jct|state=PA|PA|113|name1=Harleysville Pike|city1=Souderton|city2=Skippack}} |notes= }} {{PAint |location=Towamencin Township |feet=50777 |type=etc |road={{jct|state=PA|I-Toll|476|PANE||city1=Philadelphia}} |notes=Exits 31A-B (Lansdale) on I-476 / Penna Turnpike NE Extension }} {{PAint |township1=Towamencin |township2=Hatfield |ctdab=Montgomery |feet=60771 |road={{jct|state=PA|PA|463|dir1=east|name1=Forty Foot Road|city1=Hatfield}} |notes=Western terminus of PA 463 }} {{PAint |location=Lansdale |feet=69388 |road={{jct|state=PA|PA|363|dir1=south|name1=Valley Forge Road|city1=North Wales|city2=Norristown|city3=Valley Forge}} |notes=Northern terminus of PA 363 }} {{PAint |township1=Upper Gwynedd |township2=Montgomery |ctdab=Montgomery |lspan=2 |feet=86121 |road={{jct|state=PA|US-Bus|202|dab1=Montgomeryville–Doylestown|name1=Dekalb Pike|to2=to|US|202|dir2=south|city1=Montgomeryville|city2=Norristown}} |notes= }} {{PAint |feet=86997 |road={{jct|state=PA|US|202|city1=Doylestown|city2=Norristown}} |notes= }} {{PAint |township1=Lower Gwynedd |township2=Horsham |ctdab=Montgomery |feet=94478 |road={{jct|state=PA|PA|309|name1=[[Bethlehem Pike]]|city1=Montgomeryville|city2=Philadelphia}} |notes= }} {{PAint |township1=Upper Dublin |township2=Horsham |ctdab=Montgomery |feet=109252 |road={{jct|state=PA|PA|152|name1=Limekiln Pike|city1=Chalfont|city2=Philadelphia}} |notes= }} {{PAint |township1=Abington |township2=Upper Moreland |ctdab=Montgomery |feet=134218 |road={{jct|state=PA|PA|611|name1=[[Old York Road]]}} |notes= }} {{PAint |location=Lower Moreland Township |feet=154681 |road={{jct|state=PA|PA|232|name1=Huntingdon Pike|city1=Bryn Athyn|city2=Meadowbrook}} |notes= }} {{PAint |county=Philadelphia |cspan=8 |location=Philadelphia |lspan=8 |feet=168191 |road={{jct|state=PA|PA|532|name1=Bustleton Avenue}} |notes= }} {{PAint |feet=172890 |type=concur |road={{jct|state=PA|US|1|dir1=south|name1=[[Roosevelt Boulevard (Philadelphia)|Roosevelt Boulevard]]|city1=Philadelphia}} |notes=Western end of US 1 concurrency }} {{PAint |feet=179964 |mspan=2 |place=Western end of freeway section }} {{PAint |mile=none |type=concur |road={{jct|state=PA|US|1|dir1=north|city1=Morrisville|countydab1=Bucks}} |notes=Eastern end of US 1 concurrency }} {{PAint |feet=184322 |road=Thornton Road |notes= }} {{PAint |feet=187067 |type=incomplete |road=Academy Road |notes=Westbound exit only }} {{PAint |feet=190467 |type=incomplete |road=Knights Road |notes=No eastbound entrance }} {{PAint |feet=192721 |type=incomplete |road=[[Franklin Mall (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)|Franklin Mills]] Boulevard / Millbrook Road |notes=No westbound entrance }} {{PAint |county=Bucks |cspan=2 |location=Bensalem Township |lspan=2 |feet=196277 |road={{jct|state=PA|US|13|name1=Bristol Pike}} |notes= }} {{PAint |feet=197564 |road={{jct|state=PA|I|95|location1=[[New York City|New York]]|extra=rail|location3=[[Cornwells Heights station|Cornwells Heights Park & Ride]]|city2=Central Philadelphia}} |notes=Eastern terminus; exit 35 on I-95 }} {{PAintbtm|keys=concur,incomplete,etc}}
==PA 63 Alternate Truck== {{infobox road small |state=PA |type=PA-Alt-Truck |route=63 |length_mi=12.0 |length_ref=<ref name=gm2/> |location=[[Montgomery County, Pennsylvania]]|formed=2013|decommissioned=2019}} '''Pennsylvania Route 63 Alternate Truck''' was a [[truck route]] around a weight-restricted bridge over the Unami Creek in Marlborough Township, on which trucks over 30 tons and combination loads over 40 tons were prohibited. The route followed PA 29, Park Avenue, Schwenksville Road, and Old Skippack Road. It was signed in 2013;<ref name=gm2>{{google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/40.339042,-75.471607/40.320244,-75.444241/@40.3034283,-75.4477576,11187m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m16!4m15!1m11!3m4!1m2!1d-75.4589953!2d40.261837!3s0x89c69b94ea6b75d1:0xafe5c0961716c8c1!3m4!1m2!1d-75.4290268!2d40.2882453!3s0x89c69ea698401c19:0xaaa5af447f82f8c8!4e1!1m1!4e1!3e0?hl=en|title=overview of Pennsylvania Route 63 Alternate Truck|access-date=May 19, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Risk-Based Bridge Postings - State and Local Bridges|publisher=Pennsylvania Department of Transportation|date=October 8, 2013|url=http://www.dot.state.pa.us/public/pdf/InfoBridge/PennDOT-Risk-Based-Postings_REPORT_all-bridges-by-county.pdf|access-date=December 18, 2014|archive-date=March 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307012601/http://www.dot.state.pa.us/public/pdf/InfoBridge/PennDOT-Risk-Based-Postings_REPORT_all-bridges-by-county.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> however, the bridge was completely reconstructed in 2019, and the route was removed.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bridge Condition Summary Report|url=https://gis.penndot.gov/paprojects/Reports/BridgeConditionsReport.aspx?aoiType=county&aoiValue=46|access-date=2021-03-08|website=gis.penndot.gov}}</ref> {{Clear}}
==Related routes== *[[Pennsylvania Route 163 (1920s)|PA 163]] was a route designated between 1930 and 1940 to connect [[Pennsylvania Route 73|PA 73]] in Philadelphia to PA 63/PA 232 in Bethayres.<ref name="PennDOT 1930"/> Between 1940 and 1950, the route was redesignated to connect Willow Grove to Bethayres along Edge Hill Road and Terwood Road.<ref name="PennDOT 1940"/> *[[Pennsylvania Route 263|PA 263]] is a route that connects PA 611 in Willow Grove to [[Pennsylvania Route 32|PA 32]] in [[Centre Bridge, Pennsylvania|Centre Bridge]].<ref name=adcmontgomery/><ref name=adcbucks/> *[[Pennsylvania Route 363|PA 363]] is a route that connects [[U.S. Route 422|US 422]] in [[Audubon, Pennsylvania|Audubon]] to PA 63 in Lansdale.<ref name=adcmontgomery/> *[[Pennsylvania Route 463|PA 463]] is a route that connects PA 63 in Hatfield Township to PA 611 in [[Horsham, Pennsylvania|Horsham]].<ref name=adcmontgomery/> *[[Pennsylvania Route 563|PA 563]] is a route that connects PA 63 in Upper Salford Township to [[Pennsylvania Route 412|PA 412]] in [[Nockamixon Township, Pennsylvania|Nockamixon Township]].<ref name=adcmontgomery/><ref name=adcbucks/> *[[Pennsylvania Route 663|PA 663]] is a route that connects [[Pennsylvania Route 100|PA 100]] in [[Pottstown, Pennsylvania|Pottstown]] to PA 309/[[Pennsylvania Route 313|PA 313]] in [[Quakertown, Pennsylvania|Quakertown]].<ref name=adcmontgomery/><ref name=adcbucks/> *[[Pennsylvania Route 763|PA 763]] was a route that connected PA 263 in [[Hatboro, Pennsylvania|Hatboro]] to PA 232 in Lower Moreland Township, following Byberry Road.<ref name=adcmontgomery/> It was created by 1930 with the designation removed by 1940.<ref name="PennDOT 1930"/><ref name="PennDOT 1940"/>
==See also== *{{Portal-inline|U.S. Roads}} *{{Portal-inline|Pennsylvania}} *{{Portal-inline|Philadelphia}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Attached KML|display=title,inline}} {{commons category}} *[http://www.pahighways.com/state/PA51-100.html#PA63 Pennsylvania Highways: PA 63] *[https://www.aaroads.com/guides/pa-063/ PA 63 at AARoads.com] *[https://www.alpsroads.net/roads/pa/pa_63/ Pennsylvania Roads - PA 63] *[http://www.stopwoodhavenroad.com/ Stop Woodhaven Road] *[http://www.phillyroads.com/roads/PA-63/ The Roads of Metro Philadelphia: Woodhaven Road (PA 63)]
{{Good article}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pennsylvania Route 063}} [[Category:Streets in Philadelphia]] [[Category:State highways in Pennsylvania|063]] [[Category:Limited-access roads in Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Transportation in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Transportation in Philadelphia]] [[Category:Transportation in Bucks County, Pennsylvania]]