Local Area Info: Pennsylvania Route 125

Pennsylvania Route 125 (PA 125) is a 32.0-mile-long (51.5 km) state highway located in Schuylkill and Northumberland Counties in Pennsylvania. The southern terminus is at PA 443 in Pine Grove. The northern terminus is at PA 61 in Shamokin. The route follows a winding alignment through mountains and valleys in the western part of the Coal Region. PA 125 does not directly access Interstate 81 (I-81); however, north of Pine Grove, there is an interchange with SR 3013 (Molleystown Road) just yards from the highway in Ravine. The route has a concurrency with U.S. Route 209 (US 209) in Tremont and crosses PA 25 in Hegins. PA 125 was designated in 1928 between PA 25 in Hegins and US 209 in Newtown while the present alignment between Pine Grove and Hegins was a part of PA 25 and the section between Line Mountain and Shamokin was part of PA 225. PA 125 was realigned to its current alignment between PA 443 in Pine Grove and US 122 (now PA 61) in Shamokin in the 1930s, with the former section between Hegins and Newtown becoming a realigned PA 25.

PA 125 begins at an intersection with PA 443 in Pine Grove, Schuylkill County, heading northwest on two-lane undivided North Tulpehocken Street. The road passes homes and a few businesses before crossing into Pine Grove Township and becoming Tremont Road. Here, the route heads north into wooded areas with some development, following the Swatara Creek and passing through North Pine Grove. PA 125 begins to run a short distance to the east of I-81 as it crosses through a forested gap of Second Mountain. The road heads into Tremont Township and turns northeast as South Tremont Road, intersecting Molleystown Road, which continues northwest to interchange with I-81 a short distance to the west. In the vicinity of this intersection, the route is a divided highway. PA 125 becomes undivided again and runs through more forests, turning north-northwest as it passes through Echo Valley and crosses Sharp Mountain. The road curves to the northeast again before another turn to the north. The route crosses a Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad line prior to entering Tremont and heading northeast on Branch Street, passing through wooded areas of homes. PA 125 heads back into Tremont Township and comes to an intersection with US 209, turning southwest to form a concurrency with that route. The two routes head back into Tremont and merge onto East Main Street, heading into business areas. PA 125 splits from US 209 by heading northwest on Spring Street. The route heads past homes, turning to the west and passing a mix of residences and industrial establishments.

The road curves north and heads into Frailey Township, becoming North Tremont Road and running through forests. PA 125 heads into the residential community of Donaldson and becomes South Maple Street, turning west onto East Center Street. The road continues through more of the community and becomes West Center Street before leaving Donaldson and heading into more forests, running a short distance to the north of the Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad line. The route passes under I-81 prior to heading into Porter Township and becoming East Center Street. PA 125 reaches the community of Good Spring, where it turns north onto Main Street, heading into Hegins Township and becoming South Good Spring Road. The road curves northeast to ascend Broad Mountain before a turn to the northwest to descend the mountain. The route runs north through the wooded residential community of Lamberson and continues into agricultural areas with a few homes. PA 125 enters the residential community of Hegins, where it crosses PA 25 and becomes North Good Spring Road. The road heads through more farmland with some woods and homes before heading into forested areas and turning northwest to ascend Mahantango Mountain. The route enters Eldred Township and becomes Vista Road, descending the mountain. PA 125 turns to the north to head into an agricultural valley with some woods and residences, curving northwest before heading more to the north. The route continues farther north before turning west onto Main Road.