Interstate 279
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Interstate 279 is a north-south interstate highway spur that lies entirely within Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. It terminates at both ends at Interstate 79, the north end being in Wexford, Pennsylvania and the south end in Carnegie, Pennsylvania. It primarily serves at the main access route between Pittsburgh and its northern and western suburbs. I-279 defies typical AASHTO rules in that I-79 and I-279 are "backwards"; i.e. I-79 should head directly through Pittsburgh while I-279 bypasses it to the west (as I-79 does).
The highway is locally referred to as "Parkway North" or "Parkway West" (since the southern seven miles are more west-east than north-south) depending on one's relative position to downtown Pittsburgh. At the southern terminus of 279, the highway continues as U.S. Highway 22 and U.S. Highway 30, which eventually lead to Pittsburgh International Airport.
279 intersects Interstate 376 in downtown Pittsburgh. Interstate 579 also intersects 279, but is only accessible by southbound traffic; likewise, traffic from 579 can only head northbound on 279.
The best-known landmark on 279 is the Fort Pitt Tunnel and Bridge due to its "surprising" view of the Pittsburgh skyline. 279 also crosses the Fort Duquesne Bridge over the Allegheny River, providing easy access to Heinz Field.
The Parkway North features two reversible HOV lanes. A related tragedy occurred in 1995 when a negligent highway worker failed to close the outbound gates, leading to a headon collision that killed six.