Interstate 55: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description| |
{{Short description|North–south Interstate Highway in the central US}} |
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{{Redirect|I-55|the Japanese submarines|Japanese submarine I-55}} |
{{Redirect|I-55|the Japanese submarines|Japanese submarine I-55}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2014}} |
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2014}} |
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|map_notes=I-55 highlighted in red |
|map_notes=I-55 highlighted in red |
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|length_mi=964.25 |
|length_mi=964.25 |
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|length_ref=<ref name="fhwa">{{cite web |author = Federal Highway Administration |author-link = Federal Highway Administration |url = |
|length_ref=<ref name="fhwa">{{cite web |author = Federal Highway Administration |author-link = Federal Highway Administration |url = https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/interstate_highway_system/routefinder/table01.cfm?redirect |title = Table 1: Main Routes of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways as of December 31, 2013 |publisher = Federal Highway Administration |date = December 31, 2013 |access-date = August 19, 2014 }}</ref> |
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|established=1957 |
|established=1957 |
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|direction_a=South |
|direction_a=South |
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|junction=<!-- Major junctions only; Only 5-8 most major intersections and cities belong here; please read [[WP:USRD/STDS]] for more info -->{{plainlist|1= |
|junction=<!-- Major junctions only; Only 5-8 most major intersections and cities belong here; please read [[WP:USRD/STDS]] for more info -->{{plainlist|1= |
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*{{Jct|country=USA|I|12}} in [[Hammond, Louisiana|Hammond, LA]] |
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|12}} in [[Hammond, Louisiana|Hammond, LA]] |
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*{{Jct|country=USA|I|20}} in [[Jackson, Mississippi|Jackson, MS]] |
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|20|US|49}} in [[Jackson, Mississippi|Jackson, MS]] |
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*{{Jct|country=USA|I| |
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|69}} in [[Hernando, Mississippi |Hernando, MS]] |
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*{{Jct|country=USA|I| |
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|40|US|61|US|64|US|70|US|78|US|79}} in [[West Memphis, Arkansas|West Memphis, AR]] |
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*{{Jct|country=USA|I| |
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|57|US|60}} in [[Sikeston, Missouri|Sikeston, MO]] |
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*{{Jct|country=USA|I| |
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|44|I|64|US|40}} in [[St. Louis|St. Louis, MO]] |
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*{{Jct|country=USA|I|70|US|40}} from [[East St. Louis, Illinois|East St. Louis]] to [[Troy, Illinois|Troy, IL]] |
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*{{Jct|country=USA|I|72|US|36}} in [[Springfield, Illinois|Springfield, IL]] |
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*{{Jct|country=USA|I|74}} in [[Bloomington, Illinois|Bloomington, IL]] |
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|74}} in [[Bloomington, Illinois|Bloomington, IL]] |
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*{{Jct|country=USA|I|80}} in [[Channahon, Illinois|Channahon, IL]] |
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|80}} in [[Channahon, Illinois|Channahon, IL]] |
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*{{Jct|country=USA|I|90|I|94}} in [[Chicago|Chicago, IL]] }} |
*{{Jct|country=USA|I|90|I|94}} in [[Chicago|Chicago, IL]] }} |
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[[File:I40I55WestMemphis.JPG|thumb|left|I-55 splits from I-40 here in [[West Memphis, Arkansas|West Memphis]] and heads north toward [[Jonesboro, Arkansas|Jonesboro]] and the Missouri border.]] |
[[File:I40I55WestMemphis.JPG|thumb|left|I-55 splits from I-40 here in [[West Memphis, Arkansas|West Memphis]] and heads north toward [[Jonesboro, Arkansas|Jonesboro]] and the Missouri border.]] |
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I-55 enters Arkansas from Tennessee as it crosses the Mississippi River on the [[Memphis & Arkansas Bridge]]. It overlaps I-40 for approximately {{convert|2.8|mi|km}} in [[West Memphis, Arkansas|West Memphis]]. After separating from I-40, I-55 turns northward and runs with US 61, [[U.S. Route 63|US 63]], and US 64 until US 64 exits in through [[Marion, Arkansas|Marion]].<ref name="cri">{{Cite map |publisher = [[Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department]] |title = General Highway Map, Crittenden County, Arkansas |url = http://www.arkansashighways.com/maps/Counties/County%20PDFs/CrittendenCounty.pdf |author = Planning and Research Division |format = PDF |date = January 2, 2007 |scale = 1:62500 |access-date = April 26, 2012 }}</ref> I-55/US 61/US 63 continues north through [[Crittenden County, Arkansas|Crittenden County]] through rural farms of the [[Arkansas delta]], including an interchange with [[Interstate 555|I-555]]/US 63 in [[Turrell, Arkansas|Turrell]]. I-55 passes through [[Blytheville, Arkansas|Blytheville]], where it has a junction with [[Arkansas Highway 18|Highway 18]] (AR 18) before entering Missouri.<ref name="mis">{{Cite map |publisher = Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department |title = General Highway Map, Mississippi County, Arkansas |url = http://www.arkansashighways.com/maps/Counties/County%20PDFs/MississippiCounty.pdf |author = Planning and Research Division |format = PDF |date = January 11, 2010 |scale = 1:62500 |access-date = April 26, 2012 }}</ref> I-55 parallels [[U.S. Route 61|US 61]] in its path through Arkansas, which it continues to do after crossing into Missouri. |
I-55 enters Arkansas from Tennessee as it crosses the Mississippi River on the [[Memphis & Arkansas Bridge]]. It overlaps I-40 for approximately {{convert|2.8|mi|km}} in [[West Memphis, Arkansas|West Memphis]]. After separating from I-40, I-55 turns northward and runs with US 61, [[U.S. Route 63|US 63]], and US 64 until US 64 exits in through [[Marion, Arkansas|Marion]].<ref name="cri">{{Cite map |publisher = [[Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department]] |title = General Highway Map, Crittenden County, Arkansas |url = http://www.arkansashighways.com/maps/Counties/County%20PDFs/CrittendenCounty.pdf |author = Planning and Research Division |format = PDF |date = January 2, 2007 |scale = 1:62500 |access-date = April 26, 2012 |archive-date = February 26, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120226223642/http://www.arkansashighways.com/maps/counties/county%20PDFs/CrittendenCounty.pdf |url-status = dead }}</ref> I-55/US 61/US 63 continues north through [[Crittenden County, Arkansas|Crittenden County]] through rural farms of the [[Arkansas delta]], including an interchange with [[Interstate 555|I-555]]/US 63 in [[Turrell, Arkansas|Turrell]]. I-55 passes through [[Blytheville, Arkansas|Blytheville]], where it has a junction with [[Arkansas Highway 18|Highway 18]] (AR 18) before entering Missouri.<ref name="mis">{{Cite map |publisher = Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department |title = General Highway Map, Mississippi County, Arkansas |url = http://www.arkansashighways.com/maps/Counties/County%20PDFs/MississippiCounty.pdf |author = Planning and Research Division |format = PDF |date = January 11, 2010 |scale = 1:62500 |access-date = April 26, 2012 |archive-date = January 15, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210115013658/http://www.arkansashighways.com/maps/Counties/County%20PDFs/MississippiCounty.pdf |url-status = dead }}</ref> I-55 parallels [[U.S. Route 61|US 61]] in its path through Arkansas, which it continues to do after crossing into Missouri. |
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===Missouri=== |
===Missouri=== |
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{{Main|Interstate 55 in Missouri}} |
{{Main|Interstate 55 in Missouri}} |
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[[File:Toisign1.png|thumb|right|x240px|I-44/I-55/I-64/I-70 on one highway sign in downtown St. Louis]] |
[[File:Toisign1.png|thumb|right|x240px|I-44/I-55/I-64/I-70 on one highway sign in downtown St. Louis]] |
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In Missouri, I-55 runs from the southeastern part of the state, at the Arkansas border, to St. Louis. In |
In Missouri, I-55 runs from the southeastern part of the state, at the Arkansas border, to St. Louis. In the southern part of the state, I-55 meets [[Interstate 57|I-57]] in [[Sikeston, Missouri|Sikeston]]. Then I-55 goes north to St. Louis, where [[Interstate 44|I-44]] merges in with I-55, and then [[Interstate 64|I-64]] (on the [[Poplar Street Bridge]]), when crossing the Mississippi River into Illinois. |
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Among the cities and towns served by I-55 in Missouri are |
Among the cities and towns served by I-55 in Missouri are Sikeston, [[Cape Girardeau, Missouri|Cape Girardeau]], and St. Louis. |
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As noted above, I-55 parallels US 61 for most of its course through Missouri, from the Arkansas border to the southern portion of [[St. Louis County, Missouri|St. Louis County]]. |
As noted above, I-55 parallels US 61 for most of its course through Missouri, from the Arkansas border to the southern portion of [[St. Louis County, Missouri|St. Louis County]]. |
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Through Illinois, I-55 largely follows the 1940 alignment of the former [[U.S. Route 66|US 66]], now Historic US 66 (Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway). It runs from the Poplar Street Bridge in [[East St. Louis, Illinois|East St. Louis]] to [[U.S. Route 41|US 41]] in Chicago, passing around the state capital of [[Springfield, Illinois|Springfield]] and the metro area of [[Bloomington, Illinois|Bloomington]]–[[Normal, Illinois|Normal]]. |
Through Illinois, I-55 largely follows the 1940 alignment of the former [[U.S. Route 66|US 66]], now Historic US 66 (Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway). It runs from the Poplar Street Bridge in [[East St. Louis, Illinois|East St. Louis]] to [[U.S. Route 41|US 41]] in Chicago, passing around the state capital of [[Springfield, Illinois|Springfield]] and the metro area of [[Bloomington, Illinois|Bloomington]]–[[Normal, Illinois|Normal]]. |
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Within Illinois, I-55 goes by several names. Near the [[Interstate 270 (Illinois–Missouri)|I-270]]/[[Interstate 70|I-70]] split, it is referred to as the Paul Simon Freeway after former US Senator [[Paul Simon (politician)|Paul Simon]], who began his political career in this region. Further north, between the St. Louis area and Springfield, I-55 is named the Vince Demuzio Expressway for former Illinois State Senator [[Vince Demuzio]]. Finally, in the Chicago area between the [[Interstate 80|I-80]] interchange near Joliet and I-55's eastern terminus at US 41 ([[Lake Shore Drive]]) in Chicago, the expressway is referred to as the Adlai E. Stevenson Expressway in honor of former Illinois governor [[Adlai Stevenson II|Adlai E. Stevenson II]], who was a two-time Democratic nominee for President of the United States and also the US Ambassador to the [[United Nations]] under Presidents [[John F. Kennedy]] and [[Lyndon B. Johnson]]. In July 2018 the stretch of I-55 from [[Interstate 294|I-294]] to milemarker 202 near Pontiac was renamed as Barack Obama Presidential Expressway.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nprillinois.org/post/illinois-highway-be-named-after-barack-obama|title=Illinois Highway To Be Named After Barack Obama|last=Mackey|first=Brian|access-date=2018-08-15|language=en}}</ref> |
Within Illinois, I-55 goes by several names. Near the [[Interstate 270 (Illinois–Missouri)|I-270]]/[[Interstate 70|I-70]] split, it is referred to as the Paul Simon Freeway after former US Senator [[Paul Simon (politician)|Paul Simon]], who began his political career in this region. Further north, between the St. Louis area and Springfield, I-55 is named the Vince Demuzio Expressway for former Illinois State Senator [[Vince Demuzio]]. Finally, in the Chicago area between the [[Interstate 80|I-80]] interchange near Joliet and I-55's eastern terminus at US 41 ([[Lake Shore Drive]]) in Chicago, the expressway is referred to as the '''Adlai E. Stevenson Expressway''' (previously called the '''Southwest Expressway''') in honor of former Illinois governor [[Adlai Stevenson II|Adlai E. Stevenson II]], who was a two-time Democratic nominee for President of the United States and also the US Ambassador to the [[United Nations]] under Presidents [[John F. Kennedy]] and [[Lyndon B. Johnson]]. In July 2018 the stretch of I-55 from [[Interstate 294|I-294]] to milemarker 202 near Pontiac was renamed as '''Barack Obama Presidential Expressway'''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nprillinois.org/post/illinois-highway-be-named-after-barack-obama|title=Illinois Highway To Be Named After Barack Obama|last=Mackey|first=Brian|access-date=2018-08-15|language=en}}</ref> |
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When the stretch of I-55 through Illinois was being planned during the 1960s, the state's governor, [[Otto Kerner Jr.]], made an effort to have it routed close to the larger city of [[Peoria, Illinois|Peoria]] instead of the straighter route through the Bloomington–Normal area. This ultimately failed plan was ridiculed in the press as the so-called "Kerner Curve". The need for a freeway connection between Springfield and Peoria was later filled by the spur route [[Interstate 155 (Illinois)|I-155]]. This also connects with nearby [[Lincoln, Illinois|Lincoln]] and [[Morton, Illinois|Morton]] and forms a triangle between the three population centers in [[Central Illinois]].<ref name="js_20000101">{{cite news |url = http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:PJSB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB6E83A6403BFAB&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2 |title = Despite dead-end for I-55's Kerner Curve, I-74 changed area forever |date = January 1, 2000 |access-date = February 17, 2008 |work = [[Peoria Journal-Star]] |via = [[NewsBank]] }}</ref> |
When the stretch of I-55 through Illinois was being planned during the 1960s, the state's governor, [[Otto Kerner Jr.]], made an effort to have it routed close to the larger city of [[Peoria, Illinois|Peoria]] instead of the straighter route through the Bloomington–Normal area. This ultimately failed plan was ridiculed in the press as the so-called "Kerner Curve". The need for a freeway connection between Springfield and Peoria was later filled by the spur route [[Interstate 155 (Illinois)|I-155]]. This also connects with nearby [[Lincoln, Illinois|Lincoln]] and [[Morton, Illinois|Morton]] and forms a triangle between the three population centers in [[Central Illinois]].<ref name="js_20000101">{{cite news |url = http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:PJSB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB6E83A6403BFAB&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2 |title = Despite dead-end for I-55's Kerner Curve, I-74 changed area forever |date = January 1, 2000 |access-date = February 17, 2008 |work = [[Peoria Journal-Star]] |via = [[NewsBank]] }}</ref> |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|52}} in [[Shorewood, Illinois|Shorewood]] |
: {{jct|country=USA|US|52}} in [[Shorewood, Illinois|Shorewood]] |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|30}} in [[Joliet, Illinois|Joliet]] |
: {{jct|country=USA|US|30}} in [[Joliet, Illinois|Joliet]] |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|355}} on the [[Bolingbrook, Illinois|Bolingbrook]]–[[Woodridge, Illinois|Woodridge]] |
: {{jct|country=USA|I|355}} on the [[Bolingbrook, Illinois|Bolingbrook]]–[[Woodridge, Illinois|Woodridge]] village line |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|294}} on the [[Burr Ridge, Illinois|Burr Ridge]]–[[Indian Head Park, Illinois|Indian Head Park]]–[[Countryside, Illinois|Countryside]] line |
: {{jct|country=USA|I|294}} on the [[Burr Ridge, Illinois|Burr Ridge]]–[[Indian Head Park, Illinois|Indian Head Park]]–[[Countryside, Illinois|Countryside]] village line |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|12|US|20|US|45}} on the Countryside–[[Hodgkins, Illinois|Hodgkins]] |
: {{jct|country=USA|US|12|US|20|US|45}} on the Countryside–[[Hodgkins, Illinois|Hodgkins]] village line |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|90|I|94}} in [[Armour Square, Chicago|Armour Square]], [[Chicago]] |
: {{jct|country=USA|I|90|I|94}} in [[Armour Square, Chicago|Armour Square]], [[Chicago]] |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|41}} in [[Near South Side, Chicago|Near South Side]], Chicago |
: {{jct|country=USA|US|41}} in [[Near South Side, Chicago|Near South Side]], Chicago |
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<ref name=randmcnally>{{cite book |author = Rand McNally |year = 2014 |title = The Road Atlas |edition = Walmart |location = Chicago |publisher = Rand McNally |pages = 11, 32-33, 44, 56, 59, 94|isbn = 0-528-00771- |
<ref name=randmcnally>{{cite book |author = Rand McNally |year = 2014 |title = The Road Atlas |edition = Walmart |location = Chicago |publisher = Rand McNally |pages = 11, 32-33, 44, 56, 59, 94|isbn = 978-0-528-00771-2}}</ref> |
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==Auxiliary routes== |
==Auxiliary routes== |
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*Spur to [[Jonesboro, Arkansas]]: [[Interstate 555|I-555]] |
*Spur to [[Jonesboro, Arkansas]]: [[Interstate 555|I-555]] |
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*[[Caruthersville, Missouri]] to [[Dyersburg, Tennessee]]: [[Interstate 155 ( |
*[[Caruthersville, Missouri]] to [[Dyersburg, Tennessee]]: [[Interstate 155 (Missouri–Tennessee)|I-155]] |
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*[[St. Louis|St. Louis, Missouri]], area: [[Interstate 255|I-255]] |
*[[St. Louis|St. Louis, Missouri]], area: [[Interstate 255|I-255]] |
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*Spur to [[Peoria, Illinois]]: [[Interstate 155 (Illinois)|I-155]] |
*Spur to [[Peoria, Illinois]]: [[Interstate 155 (Illinois)|I-155]] |
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*In the |
*In the western suburbs of [[Chicago|Chicago, Illinois]]: [[Interstate 355|I-355]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
Latest revision as of 13:56, 4 November 2024
Route information | |
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Length | 964.25 mi[1] (1,551.81 km) |
Existed | 1957–present |
NHS | Entire route |
Major junctions | |
South end | I-10 in LaPlace, LA |
| |
North end | US 41 in Chicago, IL |
Location | |
Country | United States |
States | Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois |
Highway system | |
Interstate 55 (I-55) is a major Interstate Highway in the central United States. As with most primary Interstates that end in a five, it is a major cross-country, north–south route, connecting the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes. The highway travels from LaPlace, Louisiana, at I-10 to Chicago, Illinois, at U.S. Route 41 (US 41, Lake Shore Drive), at McCormick Place. The major cities that I-55 connects to are (from south to north) New Orleans, Louisiana; Jackson, Mississippi; Memphis, Tennessee; St. Louis, Missouri; and Chicago, Illinois.
The section of I-55 between Chicago and St. Louis was built as an alternate route for U.S. Route 66 (US 66). The Interstate crosses the Mississippi River twice: once at Memphis and again at St. Louis.
History
[edit]When it was realized that a national highway system was needed, the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 provided for a highway replacing the old US 66 which I-55 filled. I-55 was originally constructed in the 1960s, to extend a section of US 66 between I-294 and Gardner which had been converted into a freeway and had Interstate signage installed in 1960. During the rest of the 1960s, I-55 was built in portions throughout Illinois, eventually connecting St. Louis to Chicago, where it became the fourth direct route between them. As it goes southward, most of the Interstate was purpose-built during the 1960s and 1970s. The entire length was completed in 1979.
Route description
[edit]mi[1] | km | |
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LA | 65.81 | 105.91 |
MS | 290.41 | 467.37 |
TN | 12.28 | 19.76 |
AR | 72.22 | 116.22 |
MO | 210.45 | 338.69 |
IL | 293.80 | 472.72 |
Total | 964.25 | 1,551.81 |
Louisiana
[edit]In Louisiana, I-55 runs nearly 66 miles (106 km) from south to north, from I-10 near Laplace (25 miles (40 km) west of New Orleans) to the Mississippi state line near Kentwood. Approximately a third of the distance consists of the Manchac Swamp Bridge, a nearly 23-mile (37 km) causeway, often cited as the third-longest viaduct in the world.
Mississippi
[edit]In Mississippi, I-55 runs 290.5 miles (467.5 km) from the Louisiana border near Osyka to Southaven on the Tennessee border, just south of Memphis, Tennessee. Noteworthy cities and towns that I-55 passes through or close by to are Brookhaven, McComb, Jackson, and Grenada. This highway parallels US 51 in its path roughly through the center of Mississippi. The eight miles (13 km) from Hernando to the Tennessee state line coincide with the newer I-69.
The Mississippi section of I-55 is defined in the Mississippi Code § 65-3-3.
Tennessee
[edit]I-55 in Tennessee lies entirely within the city of Memphis, passing through the southern and western parts of the city and providing a bypass of downtown for motorists who do not want to take I-240 and I-40 through downtown to cross the Mississippi River. The western portion of this highway, which passes through an industrialized section of the city, contains numerous low-clearance bridges and also a very tight 270-degree cloverleaf turn northbound at Crump Boulevard. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) currently has an interchange improvement project for this portion. Heavy truck traffic heading to and from Arkansas in this area is hence directed to detour via I-240 and I-40.
For the Tennessee stretch of the Interstate, the usual national freeway speed limit of 70 mph (110 km/h) is reduced to 65 mph (105 km/h).[2]
Arkansas
[edit]I-55 enters Arkansas from Tennessee as it crosses the Mississippi River on the Memphis & Arkansas Bridge. It overlaps I-40 for approximately 2.8 miles (4.5 km) in West Memphis. After separating from I-40, I-55 turns northward and runs with US 61, US 63, and US 64 until US 64 exits in through Marion.[3] I-55/US 61/US 63 continues north through Crittenden County through rural farms of the Arkansas delta, including an interchange with I-555/US 63 in Turrell. I-55 passes through Blytheville, where it has a junction with Highway 18 (AR 18) before entering Missouri.[4] I-55 parallels US 61 in its path through Arkansas, which it continues to do after crossing into Missouri.
Missouri
[edit]In Missouri, I-55 runs from the southeastern part of the state, at the Arkansas border, to St. Louis. In the southern part of the state, I-55 meets I-57 in Sikeston. Then I-55 goes north to St. Louis, where I-44 merges in with I-55, and then I-64 (on the Poplar Street Bridge), when crossing the Mississippi River into Illinois.
Among the cities and towns served by I-55 in Missouri are Sikeston, Cape Girardeau, and St. Louis.
As noted above, I-55 parallels US 61 for most of its course through Missouri, from the Arkansas border to the southern portion of St. Louis County.
Illinois
[edit]Through Illinois, I-55 largely follows the 1940 alignment of the former US 66, now Historic US 66 (Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway). It runs from the Poplar Street Bridge in East St. Louis to US 41 in Chicago, passing around the state capital of Springfield and the metro area of Bloomington–Normal.
Within Illinois, I-55 goes by several names. Near the I-270/I-70 split, it is referred to as the Paul Simon Freeway after former US Senator Paul Simon, who began his political career in this region. Further north, between the St. Louis area and Springfield, I-55 is named the Vince Demuzio Expressway for former Illinois State Senator Vince Demuzio. Finally, in the Chicago area between the I-80 interchange near Joliet and I-55's eastern terminus at US 41 (Lake Shore Drive) in Chicago, the expressway is referred to as the Adlai E. Stevenson Expressway (previously called the Southwest Expressway) in honor of former Illinois governor Adlai E. Stevenson II, who was a two-time Democratic nominee for President of the United States and also the US Ambassador to the United Nations under Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. In July 2018 the stretch of I-55 from I-294 to milemarker 202 near Pontiac was renamed as Barack Obama Presidential Expressway.[5]
When the stretch of I-55 through Illinois was being planned during the 1960s, the state's governor, Otto Kerner Jr., made an effort to have it routed close to the larger city of Peoria instead of the straighter route through the Bloomington–Normal area. This ultimately failed plan was ridiculed in the press as the so-called "Kerner Curve". The need for a freeway connection between Springfield and Peoria was later filled by the spur route I-155. This also connects with nearby Lincoln and Morton and forms a triangle between the three population centers in Central Illinois.[6]
Junction list
[edit]- Louisiana
- I-10 in LaPlace
- US 51 northeast of LaPlace. The highways travel concurrently to Hammond.
- I-12 in Hammond
- US 190 in Hammond
- Mississippi
- US 98 in McComb. The highways travel concurrently to Summit.
- US 84 south-southwest of Brookhaven
- US 51 in Crystal Springs. The highways travel concurrently to Jackson.
- I-20 / US 49 / US 51 in Jackson. I-20/I-55/US 49 travel concurrently to Richland.
- I-220 in Ridgeland
- US 82 in Winona
- US 278 in Batesville
- I-69 in Hernando. The highways travel concurrently to Memphis, Tennessee.
- Tennessee
- US 51 in Memphis
- I-69 / I-240 in Memphis
- US 61 in Memphis
- US 61 / US 64 / US 70 / US 79 in Memphis. I-55/US 61 travels concurrently to Turrell, Arkansas. I-55/US 64 travels concurrently to Marion, Arkansas. I-55/US 70/US 79 travels concurrently to West Memphis, Arkansas.
- Arkansas
- I-40 in West Memphis. The highways travel concurrently through West Memphis.
- I-40 / US 63 / US 79 in West Memphis. I-55/US 63 travels concurrently to Turrell.
- I-555 / US 61 / US 63 in Turrell, Arkansas.
- US 61 in Blytheville
- Missouri
- US 61 east of Steele. The highways travel concurrently to Portageville.
- I-155 / US 412 in Hayti
- US 61 / US 62 in New Madrid
- US 61 / US 62 north of New Madrid
- I-57 / US 60 on the Sikeston–Miner city line
- US 62 in Miner
- US 61 in Scott City. The highways travel concurrently to Cape Cirardeau.
- US 61 in Cape Girardeau
- US 61 north-northeast of Jackson
- US 61 south-southeast of Festus
- US 67 in Festus
- I-255 / I-270 on the Concord–Mehlville CDP line
- US 50 / US 61 / US 67 on the Concord–Green Park–Mehlville line
- I-44 on the McKinley Heights–Soulard, St. Louis neighborhood line. The highways travel concurrently to Downtown St. Louis.
- I-44 / I-64 / US 40 in Downtown, St. Louis. I-55/I-64 travels concurrently to East St. Louis, Illinois. I-55/US 40 travels concurrently to Troy, Illinois.
- Illinois
- I-64 / I-70 in East St. Louis. I-55/I-70 travels concurrently to northwest of Troy.
- I-255 in Collinsville
- I-70 / I-270 northwest of Troy
- I-72 / US 36 in Springfield. The highways travel concurrently through Springfield.
- I-155 northwest of Lincoln
- US 136 southeast of McLean
- I-74 / US 51 in Bloomington. I-55/I-74 travels concurrently to northwest of Normal. I-55/US 51 travels concurrently to Normal.
- US 150 in Bloomington
- I-39 / US 51 in Normal
- US 24 in Chenoa
- US 6 in Channahon
- I-80 in Channahon
- US 52 in Shorewood
- US 30 in Joliet
- I-355 on the Bolingbrook–Woodridge village line
- I-294 on the Burr Ridge–Indian Head Park–Countryside village line
- US 12 / US 20 / US 45 on the Countryside–Hodgkins village line
- I-90 / I-94 in Armour Square, Chicago
- US 41 in Near South Side, Chicago
Auxiliary routes
[edit]- Spur to Jonesboro, Arkansas: I-555
- Caruthersville, Missouri to Dyersburg, Tennessee: I-155
- St. Louis, Missouri, area: I-255
- Spur to Peoria, Illinois: I-155
- In the western suburbs of Chicago, Illinois: I-355
References
[edit]- ^ a b Federal Highway Administration (December 31, 2013). "Table 1: Main Routes of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways as of December 31, 2013". Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
- ^ "Getting Around". City Visitors Guide. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
- ^ Planning and Research Division (January 2, 2007). General Highway Map, Crittenden County, Arkansas (PDF) (Map). 1:62500. Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
- ^ Planning and Research Division (January 11, 2010). General Highway Map, Mississippi County, Arkansas (PDF) (Map). 1:62500. Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 15, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
- ^ Mackey, Brian. "Illinois Highway To Be Named After Barack Obama". Retrieved August 15, 2018.
- ^ "Despite dead-end for I-55's Kerner Curve, I-74 changed area forever". Peoria Journal-Star. January 1, 2000. Retrieved February 17, 2008 – via NewsBank.
- ^ Rand McNally (2014). The Road Atlas (Walmart ed.). Chicago: Rand McNally. pp. 11, 32–33, 44, 56, 59, 94. ISBN 978-0-528-00771-2.
External links
[edit]- Geographic data related to Interstate 55 at OpenStreetMap
- Illinois Highway Ends: Interstate 55