Although bypassed by Interstate 90 (I-90) as the primary through route in the area, heavy traffic has led to nearly the entire highway being widened to four lanes in width.

For most of its journey, it closely parallels a heavily traveled CSX Transportation rail line, which also serves Amtrak passenger trains.

This section of road was widened to encompass a mostly four-lane setup after a pair of 1938 and 1946 infrastructural projects, owing to the heavy truck traffic between Erie and Cleveland, Ohio.

The highway then passes through an industrial and commercial corridor that represents a 1946 alignment change, which saw 26th Street extended to avoid the route's former complicated passage along East Avenue.

US 20 turns sharply northward as Broad Street at the Bayfront Connector, as it resumes four-lane status temporarily.