U.S. Route 67 in Illinois
Encyclopedia
In the U.S. state
of Illinois
, U.S. Route 67
is a north–south highway through the western portions of the state. It runs from the Clark Bridge
in Alton
north to the Rock Island Centennial Bridge
in Rock Island
. This is a distance of 213.99 miles (344.38 km).
U.S. 67 is the major north–south corridor for western Illinois, and the only major Illinois north–south route never upgraded to the Interstate highway system.
to Monmouth
, US 67 is currently a "Super Four" 65 mi/h, four-lane highway. The Roseville Bypass was completed in 2003.
to Morrison
via Rock Island
.
With the completion of highway bridges over the Mississippi River, Route 67 was extended from St. Louis to Godfrey
and replaced the original Illinois 3 to Rock Island.
The original northern terminus of US 67 was in Missouri
under the US highway enumeration scheme of 1926, likely due to limited bridge crossings over the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.
By 1932, with a Mississippi River
crossing route determined, US 67 was extended north along Illinois Route 3
to Rock Island.
Even though the Old Clark Bridge
had been opened to traffic across the Mississippi River at Alton
in 1928, US 67 originally crossed the Mississippi River with U.S. Route 66
via the McKinley Bridge
from St. Louis to Venice
. From Venice, US 67 headed north along what had been Illinois 3 via Alton to Rock Island. The original route of IL 3 from Alton to Jacksonville
that became US 67 went through East Newbern
, Jerseyville
, and Carrollton
.
In 1926, the northern terminus of U.S. Route 67 was at Alt. US 61 near Fredericktown
, Missouri. The route was extended north on Illinois Route 3 (through western Illinois) to its northern terminus in Rock Island, Illinois by 1932. Sometime after 1940, US 67 was routed into Madison County
. Then, it was co-signed with Route 66 as both routes went across the McKinley Bridge.
By the mid 1940s, US 67 had been rerouted from St. Louis to Alton via the Lewis Bridge over the Missouri River and the Clark Bridge
(formerly the Old Clark Bridge) over the Mississippi River. The Alton to Jerseyville section now passed through Godfrey and Delhi. By the mid 1950s, a more direct route for US 67 from Godfrey towards Jacksonville via Greenfield
had opened. Heading north from downtown Alton, US 67 was rerouted via an abandoned railroad grade to the north end of town.
Between Fort Bellefontaine, Missouri (near Lewis Bridge) and south of St. Louis, US-67 followed two different routes. Route 67 originally followed Lewis and Clark Blvd. south to St. Louis, while Alternate US-67 turned west on Lindbergh Blvd. through Florissant
past Lambert/St. Louis Int'l airport. Alt 67 was reposted as Route 267 along Lindbergh Blvd. In the late 1960s these routes were "flipped" with US-67 proceeding through Florissant and Hazelwood.
In 1962 another reroute took place, due to the completion of a new river bridge over the Illinois River
at Beardstown
. A new direct route was constructed from this bridge at Beardstown to Rushville
, eliminating the earlier US-67 eastern route northeast along current IL-100 to Frederick then turning north to Rushville. A western bypass of downtown Rushville was completed a couple of years later.
In 1964, Route 3 replaced US 67A as St. Louis started to eliminate highways such as 67A. A new four-lane Route 3 opened a few years later.
In 1968, US-67 was rerouted on a more western route between Jacksonville and Beardstown. The route was the existing IL-104 (Jacksonville to near Merodosia) and IL-100 (near Merodosia to Beardstown). The original US-67 road passed through Virginia
on what is now IL-78 (Jacksonville to Virginia) and then on IL-125 (Virginia to Beardstown), which follows the historic post road and Ohio & Mississippi Railroad right-of-way (later part of Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
(B&O) system before abandonment) between Beardstown and Springfield
.
Before 1994, US 67 passed through Alton on Belle Street. After 1994, US 67 got a new bridge as well as a new route through Alton. In the summer of 1994, parts of the road were demolished in a span of 8-10 weeks. Today, planners from Godfrey and Jerseyville are discussing a new US 67 that would take a western route along the current IL 267.
. By 1965, the Alt US 67 designation had been dropped and the IL 3 designation had returned to this route. The original IL 3 roadway had been replaced by new alignments in places over the years, however.
When US 67 was shifted to a more direct route north of Alton between Godfrey and Jacksonville by the mid 1950s, the old route via Jerseyville and Carrollton became Alt US 67. This designation lasted until around 1965 when the route became IL 267.
was once Alt US 67 from the mid 1950s to 1965 as it went from Godfrey through Jerseyville on its way to meet up with US 67 about ten miles (16 km) south of Jacksonville. This route, despite being one of the most dangerous in central Illinois, has remained unchanged over the years.
In 2001, IDOT rerouted US-67 back onto the original (1940) routing (western route) north of Alton to Murrayville and IL-267 was put onto the newer alignment (eastern route) from near Murrayville through Greenfield to Medora. South of Medora to Godfrey the road retained only IL-111, a second number on this section. The rerouting was to accommodate a future "Corridor 67" expressway that will be built within the next decade or so. IDOT construction began in 2004 near Jacksonville. The new expressway is supposed to follow the corridor through White Hall, Carrollton, and Jerseyville and will end in Godfrey.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, U.S. Route 67
U.S. Route 67
U.S. Route 67 is a 1,560 mile long north–south U.S. highway in the Central United States. The southern terminus of the route is at the United States-Mexico border in Presidio, Texas, where it continues south as Mexican Federal Highway 16 upon crossing the Rio Grande. The northern...
is a north–south highway through the western portions of the state. It runs from the Clark Bridge
Clark Bridge
The Clark Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge across the Mississippi River between West Alton, Missouri and Alton, Illinois. Named after explorer William Clark like the bridge it replaced, the cable-stayed bridge opened in 1994. It carries U.S. Route 67 across the river...
in Alton
Alton, Illinois
Alton is a city on the Mississippi River in Madison County, Illinois, United States, about north of St. Louis, Missouri. The population was 27,865 at the 2010 census. It is a part of the Metro-East region of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area in Southern Illinois...
north to the Rock Island Centennial Bridge
Rock Island Centennial Bridge
The Centennial Bridge, or Rock Island Centennial Bridge, connects Rock Island, Illinois and Davenport, Iowa. The bridge is long and stands above water level. On September 4, 1988, lights were installed on the arches, which make the bridge a very scenic sight at night.Construction of the bridge...
in Rock Island
Rock Island, Illinois
Rock Island is the county seat of Rock Island County, Illinois, United States. The population was 40,884 at the 2010 census. Located on the Mississippi River, it is one of the Quad Cities, along with neighboring Moline, East Moline, and the Iowa cities of Davenport and Bettendorf. The Quad Cities...
. This is a distance of 213.99 miles (344.38 km).
U.S. 67 is the major north–south corridor for western Illinois, and the only major Illinois north–south route never upgraded to the Interstate highway system.
Route description
From MacombMacomb, Illinois
Macomb is a city in and the county seat of McDonough County, Illinois, United States. It is situated in western Illinois southwest of Galesburg. The population was 18,588 at the 2000 census. Macomb is the home of Western Illinois University.- Geography :...
to Monmouth
Monmouth, Illinois
Monmouth is a city in and the county seat of Warren County in the U.S. state of Illinois. It is the home of Monmouth College and contains Monmouth Park, Harmon Park, North Park, Warfield Park, West Park, South Park, Garwood Park, Buster White Park and the Citizens Lake & Campground. It is the host...
, US 67 is currently a "Super Four" 65 mi/h, four-lane highway. The Roseville Bypass was completed in 2003.
History
In 1918, the Illinois State Legislature established State Bond Issue (SBI) for the establishment of a state road system. The route for Illinois 3 went from Cairo JunctionCairo Junction, Illinois
Cairo Junction is an unincorporated community in Alexander County, Illinois, United States. Cairo Junction is located at the junction of U.S. Route 51, Illinois Route 3, and Illinois Route 37 north of Cairo....
to Morrison
Morrison, Illinois
Morrison is a city in Whiteside County, Illinois, United States. The population was 4,307 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Whiteside County. One of the town founders was Lyman Johnson....
via Rock Island
Rock Island, Illinois
Rock Island is the county seat of Rock Island County, Illinois, United States. The population was 40,884 at the 2010 census. Located on the Mississippi River, it is one of the Quad Cities, along with neighboring Moline, East Moline, and the Iowa cities of Davenport and Bettendorf. The Quad Cities...
.
With the completion of highway bridges over the Mississippi River, Route 67 was extended from St. Louis to Godfrey
Godfrey, Illinois
Godfrey is a village in Madison County, Illinois, United States. The population was 18000 at the 2010 census. Godfrey is located within the Greater St...
and replaced the original Illinois 3 to Rock Island.
The original northern terminus of US 67 was in Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
under the US highway enumeration scheme of 1926, likely due to limited bridge crossings over the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.
By 1932, with a Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
crossing route determined, US 67 was extended north along Illinois Route 3
Illinois Route 3
Illinois Route 3 is a major north–south arterial state highway in southwestern Illinois. It has its southern terminus at Cairo Junction at the intersection of Interstate 57 and U.S. Route 51, and its northern terminus in Grafton at Illinois Route 100...
to Rock Island.
Even though the Old Clark Bridge
Old Clark Bridge
The Old Clark Bridge was a bridge that carried U.S. Route 67 across the Mississippi River between West Alton, Missouri and Alton, Illinois. It was constructed beginning in 1927, was replaced by the Clark Bridge and was demolished in 1994.- Notes :...
had been opened to traffic across the Mississippi River at Alton
Alton, Missouri
Alton is the county seat of Oregon County, Missouri, United States. The population was 668 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Alton is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land....
in 1928, US 67 originally crossed the Mississippi River with U.S. Route 66
U.S. Route 66
U.S. Route 66 was a highway within the U.S. Highway System. One of the original U.S. highways, Route 66 was established on November 11, 1926 -- with road signs erected the following year...
via the McKinley Bridge
McKinley Bridge
The McKinley Bridge is a steel truss bridge across the Mississippi River. It connects northern portions of the city of St. Louis, Missouri with Venice, Illinois. It opened in 1910 and was taken out of service on October 30, 2001. The bridge was reopened for pedestrian and bicyclists on November 17,...
from St. Louis to Venice
Venice, Illinois
Venice is a city in Madison County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,528 at the 2000 census.The Venice Power Station, a combustion turbine generator -type Ameren power plant, is located in Venice.-Geography:...
. From Venice, US 67 headed north along what had been Illinois 3 via Alton to Rock Island. The original route of IL 3 from Alton to Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Illinois
Jacksonville is a city in Morgan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 18,940 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Morgan County....
that became US 67 went through East Newbern
East Newbern, Illinois
East Newbern is an unincorporated community in Jersey County, Illinois, United States. East Newbern is northeast of Elsah....
, Jerseyville
Jerseyville, Illinois
Jerseyville is a city in Jersey County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2010 U.S. census, the city had a total population of 8,465. It is the county seat of Jersey County, and is also the largest city in the county. The city's current mayor is Richard Perdun.Jerseyville is a part of Southern...
, and Carrollton
Carrollton, Illinois
Carrollton is a city in Greene County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,605 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Greene County.-Geography:Carrollton is located at ....
.
In 1926, the northern terminus of U.S. Route 67 was at Alt. US 61 near Fredericktown
Fredericktown, Missouri
Fredericktown is a city in and the county seat of Madison County, Missouri, United States, in the northeastern foothills of the Ozark Mountains. The population was 3,928 at the 2000 census...
, Missouri. The route was extended north on Illinois Route 3 (through western Illinois) to its northern terminus in Rock Island, Illinois by 1932. Sometime after 1940, US 67 was routed into Madison County
Madison County, Illinois
Madison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. Madison County is part of the Metro-East region of the St. Louis Metro Area. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 269,282, which is an increase of 4.0% from 258,941 in 2000. The county seat is Edwardsville, home to...
. Then, it was co-signed with Route 66 as both routes went across the McKinley Bridge.
By the mid 1940s, US 67 had been rerouted from St. Louis to Alton via the Lewis Bridge over the Missouri River and the Clark Bridge
Clark Bridge
The Clark Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge across the Mississippi River between West Alton, Missouri and Alton, Illinois. Named after explorer William Clark like the bridge it replaced, the cable-stayed bridge opened in 1994. It carries U.S. Route 67 across the river...
(formerly the Old Clark Bridge) over the Mississippi River. The Alton to Jerseyville section now passed through Godfrey and Delhi. By the mid 1950s, a more direct route for US 67 from Godfrey towards Jacksonville via Greenfield
Greenfield, Illinois
Greenfield is a city in Greene County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,179 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Greenfield is located at ....
had opened. Heading north from downtown Alton, US 67 was rerouted via an abandoned railroad grade to the north end of town.
Between Fort Bellefontaine, Missouri (near Lewis Bridge) and south of St. Louis, US-67 followed two different routes. Route 67 originally followed Lewis and Clark Blvd. south to St. Louis, while Alternate US-67 turned west on Lindbergh Blvd. through Florissant
Florissant, Missouri
Florissant is a second-ring suburb of St. Louis, located in northern St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. The city has a total population of 52,158 in 2010 census.-History:...
past Lambert/St. Louis Int'l airport. Alt 67 was reposted as Route 267 along Lindbergh Blvd. In the late 1960s these routes were "flipped" with US-67 proceeding through Florissant and Hazelwood.
In 1962 another reroute took place, due to the completion of a new river bridge over the Illinois River
Illinois River
The Illinois River is a principal tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately long, in the State of Illinois. The river drains a large section of central Illinois, with a drainage basin of . This river was important among Native Americans and early French traders as the principal water route...
at Beardstown
Beardstown, Illinois
Beardstown is a city in Cass County, Illinois, United States. The population was 6,123 at the 2010 census. The public schools are in Beardstown Community Unit School District 15.-Geography:Beardstown is located at...
. A new direct route was constructed from this bridge at Beardstown to Rushville
Rushville, Illinois
Rushville is a city in Schuyler County, Illinois, United States. The population was 3,212 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Schuyler County.-Demographics:...
, eliminating the earlier US-67 eastern route northeast along current IL-100 to Frederick then turning north to Rushville. A western bypass of downtown Rushville was completed a couple of years later.
In 1964, Route 3 replaced US 67A as St. Louis started to eliminate highways such as 67A. A new four-lane Route 3 opened a few years later.
In 1968, US-67 was rerouted on a more western route between Jacksonville and Beardstown. The route was the existing IL-104 (Jacksonville to near Merodosia) and IL-100 (near Merodosia to Beardstown). The original US-67 road passed through Virginia
Virginia, Illinois
Virginia is a city in Cass County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,611 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Cass County.-Geography:Virginia is located at ....
on what is now IL-78 (Jacksonville to Virginia) and then on IL-125 (Virginia to Beardstown), which follows the historic post road and Ohio & Mississippi Railroad right-of-way (later part of Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was one of the oldest railroads in the United States and the first common carrier railroad. It came into being mostly because the city of Baltimore wanted to compete with the newly constructed Erie Canal and another canal being proposed by Pennsylvania, which...
(B&O) system before abandonment) between Beardstown and Springfield
Springfield, Illinois
Springfield is the third and current capital of the US state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County with a population of 117,400 , making it the sixth most populated city in the state and the second most populated Illinois city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area...
.
Before 1994, US 67 passed through Alton on Belle Street. After 1994, US 67 got a new bridge as well as a new route through Alton. In the summer of 1994, parts of the road were demolished in a span of 8-10 weeks. Today, planners from Godfrey and Jerseyville are discussing a new US 67 that would take a western route along the current IL 267.
Alternate U.S. Route 67
There were two Alt US 67's in Madison County. The first started south of Alton, the second, north. When US 67 was switched to the Clark Bridge sometime before the mid 1940s, the earlier route of US 67 from St. Louis to Alton became Alt US 67. In the mid 1940s, Alt US 67 was switched from the McKinley Bridge to the MacArthur BridgeMacArthur Bridge (St. Louis)
The MacArthur Bridge over the Mississippi River between St. Louis, Missouri and East St. Louis, Illinois is a 647 foot long truss bridge. Construction on the bridge was begun in 1909 by the city of St. Louis to break the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis's monopoly on the area's railroad...
. By 1965, the Alt US 67 designation had been dropped and the IL 3 designation had returned to this route. The original IL 3 roadway had been replaced by new alignments in places over the years, however.
When US 67 was shifted to a more direct route north of Alton between Godfrey and Jacksonville by the mid 1950s, the old route via Jerseyville and Carrollton became Alt US 67. This designation lasted until around 1965 when the route became IL 267.
Illinois Route 267
Illinois Route 267Illinois Route 267
Illinois Route 267 is a north–south highway in the U.S. state of Illinois. It runs from U.S. Route 67 and Illinois Route 111 in Godfrey north to Illinois Route 104 and Business Interstate 72 in Jacksonville. This is a distance of 59 miles...
was once Alt US 67 from the mid 1950s to 1965 as it went from Godfrey through Jerseyville on its way to meet up with US 67 about ten miles (16 km) south of Jacksonville. This route, despite being one of the most dangerous in central Illinois, has remained unchanged over the years.
In 2001, IDOT rerouted US-67 back onto the original (1940) routing (western route) north of Alton to Murrayville and IL-267 was put onto the newer alignment (eastern route) from near Murrayville through Greenfield to Medora. South of Medora to Godfrey the road retained only IL-111, a second number on this section. The rerouting was to accommodate a future "Corridor 67" expressway that will be built within the next decade or so. IDOT construction began in 2004 near Jacksonville. The new expressway is supposed to follow the corridor through White Hall, Carrollton, and Jerseyville and will end in Godfrey.
Junction List
| County | Location | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clark Bridge Clark Bridge The Clark Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge across the Mississippi River between West Alton, Missouri and Alton, Illinois. Named after explorer William Clark like the bridge it replaced, the cable-stayed bridge opened in 1994. It carries U.S. Route 67 across the river... over Mississippi River Mississippi River The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains... |
|||
| Madison Madison County, Illinois Madison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. Madison County is part of the Metro-East region of the St. Louis Metro Area. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 269,282, which is an increase of 4.0% from 258,941 in 2000. The county seat is Edwardsville, home to... |
Alton Alton, Illinois Alton is a city on the Mississippi River in Madison County, Illinois, United States, about north of St. Louis, Missouri. The population was 27,865 at the 2010 census. It is a part of the Metro-East region of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area in Southern Illinois... |
||
| Godfrey Godfrey, Illinois Godfrey is a village in Madison County, Illinois, United States. The population was 18000 at the 2010 census. Godfrey is located within the Greater St... |
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| Jersey Jersey County, Illinois Jersey County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. Jersey County is part of the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 22,985, which is an increase of 6.1% from 21,668 in 2000... |
Jerseyville Jerseyville, Illinois Jerseyville is a city in Jersey County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2010 U.S. census, the city had a total population of 8,465. It is the county seat of Jersey County, and is also the largest city in the county. The city's current mayor is Richard Perdun.Jerseyville is a part of Southern... |
||
| Greene | Carrollton Carrollton, Illinois Carrollton is a city in Greene County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,605 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Greene County.-Geography:Carrollton is located at .... |
||
| White Hall White Hall, Illinois White Hall is a city in Greene County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,629 at the 2000 census.-Geography:White Hall is located at .... |
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| Scott | No major junctions in Scott County | ||
| Morgan | South end of freeway; south end of Bus. 72 overlap | ||
| Jacksonville Jacksonville, Illinois Jacksonville is a city in Morgan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 18,940 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Morgan County.... |
North end of Bus. 72 overlap | ||
| North end of freeway; south end of IL 104 overlap | |||