Interstate 55 in Illinois
{{Short description|Section of Interstate Highway in Illinois, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2022}}
{{highway detail hatnote|Interstate 55}}
{{Infobox road
|state=IL
|route=55
|type=I
|map={{maplink-road|from=Interstate 55 in Illinois.map}}
|map_custom=yes
|map_notes=I-55 highlighted in red
|length_mi=294.38
|length_ref={{cite web |url= https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/interstate_highway_system/routefinder/table01.cfm?redirect |work= Route Log and Finder List |title= Table 1: Main Routes of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System Of Interstate and Defense Highways as of October 31, 2002 |first= Kevin |last= Adderly |date=October 31, 2002 |access-date= December 30, 2013 |publisher= Federal Highway Administration |oclc= 47914009}}
|established=
|direction_a=South
|terminus_a={{Jct|state=MO|I|55|I|64|US|40}} at East St. Louis
|junction=
- {{Jct|state=IL|I|64|I|70|IL|3}} in East St. Louis
- {{Jct|state=IL|I|70|I|270|US|40}} in Troy
- {{Jct|state=IL|I|72|US|36|BL|55|dab3=Springfield}} in Springfield
- {{Jct|state=IL|I|155}} near Lincoln
- {{Jct|state=IL|I|74}} in Bloomington
- {{Jct|state=IL|I|39|US|51}} in Normal
- {{Jct|state=IL|I|80}} in Joliet
- {{Jct|state=IL|I-Toll|355}} in Bolingbrook
- {{Jct|state=IL|I-Toll|294}} in Indian Head Park
- {{Jct|state=IL|I|90|I|94}} in Chicago
|direction_b=North
|terminus_b={{Jct|state=IL|US|41}} in Chicago
|counties=St. Clair, Madison, Macoupin, Montgomery, Sangamon, Logan, McLean, Livingston, Grundy, Will, DuPage, Cook
|previous_type=IL
|previous_route=54
|next_type=IL
|next_route=55
}}
Interstate 55 (I-55) is a major north–south Interstate Highway in the US state of Illinois that connects St. Louis, Missouri, to the Chicago metropolitan area. It enters the state from Missouri near East St. Louis, Illinois, and runs to U.S. Route 41 (US 41, Lake Shore Drive) near Downtown Chicago, where the highway ends, a distance of {{convert|294.38|mi|km}}.{{cite map |publisher= Microsoft |title= MapPoint |year=2002}} The road also runs through the Illinois cities of Springfield, Bloomington, and Joliet. The section in Cook County is officially named the Stevenson Expressway for the governor, and in DuPage County it's officially named the Joliet Freeway or the Will Rogers Freeway for the humorist. The section from the south suburbs to the area near Pontiac is officially named the Barack Obama Presidential Expressway after the president, who launched his political career from Illinois.{{Cite news|url=http://nprillinois.org/post/illinois-highway-be-named-after-barack-obama#stream/0|title=Illinois Highway To Be Named After Barack Obama|last=Mackey|first=Brian|access-date=February 16, 2018|language=en}}
Route description
I-55 within Illinois carries heavy traffic, with an average of more than 20,000 vehicles per day for most of its length.{{cite map |publisher= Illinois Department of Transportation |year= 2011 |url= http://www.dot.il.gov/trafficmaps/ADT_statewide.pdf |title= 2011 Average Daily Total Traffic |author= Office of Planning and Programming |scale= Scale not given |access-date= December 30, 2013 |archive-date= July 21, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110721044833/http://www.dot.il.gov/trafficmaps/ADT_statewide.pdf |url-status= dead }} Significant portions of I-55 contain six lanes (three lanes in each direction) and are heavily used by commuters.{{cite web|url=http://highwayexplorer.com/il_EndsPage.php?id=3055§ion=1 |work=Illinois Highway Ends |title=I-55 |publisher=Self-published |access-date=January 28, 2013}}{{unreliable source?|failed=y|date=December 2013}} I-55 in Illinois begins in East St. Louis on the Poplar Street Bridge over the Mississippi River at the Missouri state line and runs southwest to northeast through the state, ending in Chicago at US 41 (Lake Shore Drive). Along the way, it goes through four metropolitan areas in the state: the Illinois portion of the St. Louis metropolitan area, the Springfield metropolitan area, the Bloomington–Normal metropolitan area, and the Chicago metropolitan area (also known as Chicagoland).
=East St. Louis to Springfield=
I-55 enters Illinois on the Poplar Street Bridge from Missouri, running concurrently with I-64 and US 40. The highway meets Illinois Route 3 (IL 3) at a series of complex interchanges. IL 3 joins I-55/I-64/US 40 for approximately {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=in}}. Still in East St. Louis, I-64 and IL 3 leave I-55/US 40, while the current routing of I-70 joins the pair. The three routes continue north-northeast, intersecting the southern terminus of IL 203 near Granite City, IL 111 near Fairmont Park, I-255 and IL 157 in Collinsville, and IL 159 in Maryville.
Approximately {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=in}} after the IL 159 interchange, US 40 leaves I-55/I-70. After an interchange with IL 162 in Troy, I-70 heads east toward Effingham. At the same interchange, I-270 intersects I-55 and ends. On its way further north, I-55 intersects IL 143 near Edwardsville, IL 140 in Hamel, IL 4 south of Livingston, local roads that connect to Livingston and Staunton, and IL 138 near White City. About {{convert|8|mi|km|spell=in}} further north, I-55 intersects IL 16 at a larger interchange to the west of Litchfield. It then goes another {{convert|8|mi|km|spell=in}} before meeting the eastern terminus of IL 108 to the east of Carlinville. Continuing along, it meets the southern and northern termini of IL 48 and IL 127 west of Raymond, local roads to Farmersville and Divernon, IL 104 near Auburn, and two local roads to Glenarm and Chatham. At the East Lake Drive interchange, I-55 crosses over Lake Springfield into Springfield proper.
=Springfield to Bloomington=
I-55 enters Springfield at an interchange with Toronto Road. About {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=in}} further north, it meets I-72 and US 36 to form a {{convert|6|mi|km|spell=in|adj=on}} concurrency that skirts the southern and eastern edges of the city. At the same interchange, it meets the southern end of I-55 Business (I-55 Bus.). I-55/I-72/US 36 has two interchanges while on the concurrency: Stevenson Drive/East Lake Drive and IL 29. {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=In}} north, I-72 and US 36 head east toward Decatur and Champaign. At this interchange, I-55 intersects IL 97, which leads to downtown Springfield. I-55 then crosses the western terminus of IL 54 (old US 54). {{convert|5|mi|km|spell=In}} further north, it meets the northern terminus of I-55 Bus., effectively leaving Springfield.
From Springfield to Chicago, I-55 follows a northeast–southwest path. In Williamsville, it meets IL 123 near its eastern terminus. It crosses two local roads, providing access to Elkhart and Broadwell before heading north into Lincoln. In Lincoln, I-55 meets the southern terminus of the second I-55 Bus. It then heads due north to intersect IL 10 and the northern terminus of IL 121. {{convert|1|mi|km|spell=In}} north, it meets the southern terminus of I-155. At this interchange, it heads due east to meet the northern terminus of I-55 Bus. before resuming its northeasterly–southwesterly course through northern Illinois. I-55 meets an interchange with a local road leading to Atlanta, US 136 in McLean, and another local road near Shirley before entering the Bloomington–Normal area.
=Bloomington to Joliet=
Once entering Bloomington, I-55 forms a complex interchange with the southern terminus of the final I-55 Bus. to the north and I-74/US 51 to the east. At this interchange, I-74 and US 51 overlap I-55 around the western edge of the cities. The highway has one interchange at US 150 and IL 9. I-74 splits from I-55/US 51 {{convert|3|mi|km|spell=in}} further north to head toward Peoria and the Moline–Rock Island area. Less than {{convert|1|mi|km|spell=in}} east, US 51 splits from I-55 to follow I-39 toward the LaSalle–Peru area and toward Rockford. Before leaving Bloomington–Normal, I-55 has two more interchanges with US 51 Business (US 51 Bus.) and I-55 Bus.
From Bloomington to Joliet, I-55 continues its northeasterly–southwesterly trek while skirting the western edges of various towns along the way. It meets local roads connecting Towanda and Lexington, US 24 in Chenoa, IL 116 and IL 23 in Pontiac, a local road to Odell, IL 17 and IL 47 in Dwight, and IL 53 in Gardner.
I-55 starts showing hints of entering the Chicago metropolitan area after the IL 53 interchange. It passes through Forest Preserve areas between Gardner and Joliet. After IL 53, I-55 intersects a local road and IL 113 near Braidwood and meets a partial interchange at IL 129; drivers who want to access IL 129 from southbound I-55 can connect via IL 113. Continuing north, I-55 intersects local roads in industrial areas before entering Channahon. It has two interchanges with Bluff Road and US 6. {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=In}} north, it meets I-80, which forms the boundary of Channahon and Joliet.
=Joliet to Chicago=
From I-80, I-55 enters the Joliet area by means of Shorewood, with a diverging diamond interchange (DDI) at IL 59 and a full interchange with US 52. It enters Joliet proper with an interchange at US 30. It then connects with IL 126 near Plainfield, forming a partial interchange, then enters the Bolingbrook–Romeoville area, meeting interchanges at Weber Road and IL 53 again.
File:P5140097.JPG, heading southwest]]
On the border of Romeoville and Lemont, I-55 meets I-355 and a former routing of US 66 at a large, complex interchange. It then meets Lemont Road near Lemont, Cass Avenue and IL 83 near Darien, and County Line Road in Burr Ridge. It enters another large, complex interchange with I-294 and another former routing of US 66 in Indian Head Park. Further east, it meets a large interchange with US 12/US 20/US 45 south of Countryside. About {{convert|3|mi|km|spell=in}} northeast, it meets a rather large interchange with IL 171 and an interchange with IL 43, both near Summit. After the IL 43 interchange, I-55 enters Chicago.
From IL 43, I-55 meets various city streets (also including one interchange with IL 50, which leads to Midway International Airport) before reaching I-90/I-94 (also known locally as the Dan Ryan Expressway) approximately {{one2a|{{convert|1|mi|km|spell=in}}}} west of its terminus. North of I-90/I-94, I-55 intersects various city streets at partial interchanges before reaching its national northern terminus at US 41 (Lake Shore Drive).
History
I-55 in Illinois is the fourth road to connect St. Louis and Chicago. The first was the Pontiac Trail in 1915. This was largely improved and paved as the new IL 4 by 1924.{{cite map |publisher= Illinois Automobile Department |year= 1924 |url= http://www.idaillinois.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/isl9/id/14/rec/4 |title= Illinois Official Auto Trails Map |scale= c. 1:950,000 and c. 1:1,110,000 |access-date= December 30, 2013}} In 1926, IL 4 was designated as the route of the new US 66, and a new section of US 66 was built to bypass slower sections of IL 4 south of Springfield by 1930. Through the 1950s, US 66 was continually widened, straightened, and improved to handle its growing traffic, until its entire length was four lanes wide by 1957.{{cite map |publisher= Illinois Division of Highways |year= 1957 |url= http://www.idaillinois.org/u?/isl9,98 |title= Illinois Official Highway Map |scale= 1:805,000 |cartography= H.M. Gousha |access-date= December 30, 2013}}
The roots of I-55 could be traced back to the need of a national highway system.{{cite web |first= Peter |last= Stork |year= 2008 |url= http://www.digitalroute66.com/history/03interstate55.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080511220853/http://www.digitalroute66.com/history/03interstate55.html |archive-date= May 11, 2008 |title= History: Alignments and Bypasses |work= Digital Route 66}}{{unreliable source?|date= December 2013}} President Dwight D. Eisenhower saw the need of a national network of highways that would help with the mobilization of the army. He had been impressed with the autobahn he saw in Germany during World War II. In 1956, he signed the Federal Aid Highway Act into existence. Although the act provided for a highway replacing US 66, it was spared destruction for a while because of it being more modern than other routes at the time. Illinois would build its first new Interstate Highways on other routes, such as I-80, I-57, and I-70, before turning its attention once again to the St. Louis–Chicago route.
However, during the 1970s, US 66 was finally replaced by I-55 as the fourth St. Louis–Chicago highway, serving most of the same communities along the way as the original Pontiac Trail. It was built in sections across Illinois, often on the original US 66 roadbed. A common construction tactic, where US 66 was already four lanes wide, was to build new southbound lanes for I-55 west of the original road, then rebuild the original southbound lanes of US 66 to be the new northbound lanes for I-55, leaving the original northbound lanes of old US 66 as a two-way frontage road. One can find many signs posted for Historic US 66, especially where it deviates from I-55.
The earliest stretch of I-55 was a portion of US 66 which had already been built as a freeway between Gardner and I-294 (Tri-State Tollway) in Indian Head Park, and which was added to the Interstate System by simply erecting new signs in 1960.{{cite map |publisher= Illinois Division of Highways |year= 1960 |url= http://www.idaillinois.org/u?/isl9,110 |title= Illinois Official Highway Map |scale= 1:790,000 |cartography= H.M. Gousha |access-date= December 30, 2013}} Later portions of the highway were built in the 1960s between East St. Louis and Hamel, and bypasses of Springfield and Bloomington-Normal.{{cite map |publisher= Illinois Division of Highways |year= 1969 |url= http://www.idaillinois.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/isl9/id/141/rec/43 |title= Illinois Official Highway Map |scale= 1:772,500 |cartography= Rand McNally |access-date= December 30, 2013}} The rest of the road was completed in the 1970s.
The Stevenson Expressway opened on October 24, 1964, as the Southwest Expressway. It was renamed after Adlai Stevenson II,{{cite web |author= Municipal Reference Collection |date= August 1997 |url= http://www.chipublib.org/004chicago/timeline/stevensonx.html |title= 1964 Southwest Expressway Opened September 1, 1965—Renamed Adlai E. Stevenson Expressway |publisher= Chicago Public Library |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071213034618/http://www.chipublib.org/004chicago/timeline/stevensonx.html |archive-date= December 13, 2007}} the former governor of Illinois, on September 1, 1965, a month and a half after his death. The Stevenson's original termini were US 66 in DuPage County to the west and the Dan Ryan Expressway to the east.
In 1999–2000, the expressway was completely rebuilt from Central Avenue north to Lake Shore Drive, including the ramps to the Dan Ryan. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) was criticized at the time for not adding a fourth lane in each direction to the highway.{{cite news |last= Hilkevitch |first= John |url= http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0603260419mar26,1,7032775.story?coll=chi-news-hed |title= Buckle Up, It Looks like a Long Ride |work= Chicago Tribune |date= March 26, 2006 |access-date= March 26, 2006 }}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
File:Barack Obama Presidential Expy sign at I-55 SB.jpg
In 2017, the Illinois General Assembly voted to rename approximately {{convert|70|mi|km}} of I-55 from the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) to Pontiac in honor of Barack Obama.{{cite news |url = http://abc7chicago.com/traffic/section-of-i-55-to-be-named-after-former-president-obama/2182363/ |title = Section of I-55 to Be Named After Former President Obama |date = July 4, 2017 |publisher = WLS-TV |location = Chicago |access-date = September 25, 2017|language=en-US}}{{cite news |first=Elvia |last=Malagon |date=July 3, 2018 |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-barack-obama-interstate-signs-illinois-20180703-story.html |title=Why There Was No Pomp, Circumstance or Former President When Obama Expressway Signs Went Up on I-55 |work=Chicago Tribune |access-date=July 4, 2018}}
=Upgrades and later construction=
Because of the heavy traffic on I-55, IDOT spends millions of dollars per year maintaining the roadway, adding lanes, and replacing bridges to increase the capacity of the highway.{{cite news |title= I-55 Resurfacing Work |date= May 24, 2002 |work= The Herald News |location= Joliet, IL |url= http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=HN&p_theme=hn&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F41C0475E12DBFB&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM }}{{cite news |first= Cindy Wojdyla |last= Cain |title= Interstate Overhaul 55 and 80: 'Tight Cloverleaf' to Be Redone Starting in May |date= April 22, 2005 |work= The Herald News |location= Joliet, IL |url= http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=HN&p_theme=hn&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=109FC52A97C57606&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM }}
In northeastern Illinois near Joliet, a widening project that expanded I-55 from two to three lanes in each direction between I-80 (exit 250) and Weber Road (exit 263) was completed on October 29, 2008.{{cite press release |date= October 29, 2008 |title= Governor Blagojevich Announces Completion of Interstate 55 Widening Project: I-55 Corridor Improvement Project Added One Lane in Each Direction from Weber Rd to I-80; Goal Is to Increase Safety and Reduce Congestion |url= http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=1&RecNum=7245 |publisher= Office of the Governor |access-date= December 30, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131231000358/http://www3.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=1&RecNum=7245 |archive-date= December 31, 2013 |url-status= dead }}
In the 2000s, the Damen Avenue (exit 290) and Pulaski Road (exit 287) interchanges were rebuilt as a single-point urban interchange (SPUI) configuration; in 2014, reconstruction as a SPUI was completed for the Central Avenue (exit 285) interchange.
In November 2011, IDOT started a two-year pilot project, allowing Pace bus routes 755 and 855 to ride on the dedicated shoulder lanes in a given time. The bus-on-shoulder service consisted of three sections: from I-355 to County Line Road, I-294 to IL 50, and IL 50 to Kedzie Avenue.{{cite web |title=I-55 Bus on Shoulder Overview |date=January 5, 2014 |url=https://idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/Network-Overview/transit-system/i-55-bus-on-shoulder |access-date=February 5, 2021 |language=en}} In the latter half of 2014, then-Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill which made the I-55 bus on shoulder service permanent. It also allow Pace to expand its bus on shoulder service within and outside I-55.{{cite web |title=Bus on Shoulders officially permanent; Quinn signs bill |url=https://www.pacebus.com/sites/default/files/2020-04/onboard5%20%281%29.pdf |access-date=February 5, 2021}}
The Arsenal Road (exit 245) interchange was under complete rebuilding and reconfiguration {{As of|2012|lc=y}}, and the deteriorated overpass at IL 129 (exit 238) was removed in 2012 in anticipation of future construction of a full interchange, temporarily leaving the IL 129 interchange with only a northbound exit and northbound entrance.{{cite press release |url= http://www.dot.il.gov/press/d1/9%2020%2011%20I55%20Ramp%20Closure%20(2).pdf |title= Southbound I-55 Ramp Closure in Wilmington |publisher= Illinois Department of Transportation |access-date= February 11, 2013 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web |url=http://i-55wilmingtonstudy.com/ |title=I-55 Wilmington Study |publisher=Illinois Department of Transportation |access-date=February 11, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604205753/http://i-55wilmingtonstudy.com/ |archive-date=June 4, 2013 }}
At St. Louis, the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge carrying I-70 across the Mississippi River, and costing $667 million (equivalent to ${{Formatprice|{{inflation|US-GDP|667000000|2014}}}} in {{Inflation/year|index=US-GDP}}{{Inflation/fn|index=US-GDP}}), was completed in 2014 to relieve congestion on I-55's Poplar Street Bridge.{{cite news |url= http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SL&p_theme=sl&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB051C1934A910D&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title= New Bridge May Mean Tolls on All Mississippi Bridges Here Making Motorists Pay Is a Last Resort But a Possibility, Officials Say |date= October 6, 1999 |work= St. Louis Post-Dispatch}}{{cite news |url= http://www.stltoday.com/news/new-mississippi-river-bridge-opens-to-traffic/article_110b6c60-6dd4-5760-ad31-3ba2f22107d5.html |title= New Mississippi River Bridge Opens to Traffic| date=February 9, 2014 |work= St. Louis Post-Dispatch}}
Between late 2015 and late 2017, the US 41 (Lake Shore Drive) interchange was being reconstructed to widen two I-55 offramps and its interchange approach.{{cite web |title=I-55 at Lake Shore Drive |date=April 29, 2015 |url=https://idot.illinois.gov/projects/I55-at-LSD |access-date=February 5, 2021 |language=en}}
Between mid-2021 and October 2024, the IL 59 interchange was reconstructed as a diverging diamond interchange. Although IL 59 ends at I-55, a road expansion south of its terminus (Gateway Boulevard) was constructed.{{cn|date=May 2025}}
Future
In early 2016, Governor Bruce Rauner, as well as IDOT, made a proposal to explore expanding a portion of I-55 (from I-355 to I-90/I-94) by adding an additional lane in each direction to ease congestion. Under their proposal, toll lanes would be constructed and operated through a potential public–private partnership. Noise walls would also be constructed as part of the project.{{cite news |url=http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Gov-Rauner-Pushes-to-Develop-Toll-Lanes-on-I-55-367769371.html?_osource=SocialFlowFB_CHBrand |title=Gov. Rauner Pushes to Develop Toll Lanes on I-55 |author= |date= February 4, 2016 |location= Chicago |publisher=WMAQ-TV |access-date=February 4, 2016}}{{cite web |title=I-55 Managed Lane Study |date=June 6, 2014 |url=https://idot.illinois.gov/projects/i55-managed-lane |access-date=August 10, 2020}}{{cite web |title=I-55 Managed Lanes Project Website |url=https://www.i55managedlaneproject.org/ |access-date=August 10, 2020}}
Exit list
{{jcttop|exit|length_ref={{cite web |author= Illinois Technology Transfer Center |url=http://www.dot.state.il.us/gist2/select.html |title=T2 GIS Data |publisher= Illinois Department of Transportation |access-date=November 8, 2007 |year=2006}}}}
{{jctint|exit
|river=Mississippi River
|lspan=2
|mile=0.0
|mspan=2
|road={{jct|state=MO|I|55|I|64|US|40|dir1=south|dir2=west|dir3=west|city1=St. Louis}}
|notes=Continuation into Missouri
}}
{{Jctbridge|exit
|mile=none
|bridge=Poplar Street Bridge
Illinois–Missouri line
}}
{{ILint|exit
|county=St. Clair
|cspan=7
|location=East St. Louis
|lspan=6
|mile=0.6
|exit=1
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|3|GRR||dir1=south|city1=Cahokia}}
|type=concur
|notes=Southern end of IL 3/GRR concurrency; exit includes direct exit ramp onto 13th Street / Tudor Avenue
}}
{{ILint|exit
|type=incomplete
|mile=0.9
|exit=2A
|road=Third Street – Eads Bridge, Casino Queen
|notes=Southbound exit and northbound entrance
}}
{{ILint|exit
|type=incomplete
|exit={{nowrap|2B-C}}
|mile=1.3
|road=Martin Luther King Bridge – Downtown St. Louis
|notes=Signed as exits 2B (left exit) and 2C (right exit); no northbound exits
}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=2.67
|exit=3A
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=IL|I|64|IL|3|dir1=east|dir2=north|name2=St. Clair Avenue|location1=Louisville}}
|notes=Northern end of I-64/IL 3 concurrency; I-64 exit 3A}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=2.88
|exit=3B
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=IL|I|70|dir1=west|name1=Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway|location1=Kansas City}}
|notes=Southern end of I-70 concurrency; southbound exit and northbound entrance}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=2.98
|exit=3C
|type=incomplete
|road=20px Exchange Avenue
|notes=Southbound exit and northbound entrance; access to Emerson Park MetroLink station}}
{{ILint|exit
|location=Fairmont City
|lspan=2
|mile=3.99
|exit=4
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|203|city1=Fairmont City|city2=Granite City|city3=Madison|name1=Collinsville Road}}
|notes=Signed as exits 4A (south) & 4B (north) southbound; access to Gateway Motorsports Park}}
{{ILint|exit
|county=Madison
|cspan=13
|mile=6.32
|exit=6
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|111|GRR||dir2=north|city1=Wood River|city2=Washington Park|city3=Pontoon Beach|city4=Fairmont City}}
|notes=Northern end of GRR concurrency; access to Horseshoe Lake State Park and Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site}}
{{ILint|exit
|location=Collinsville
|lspan=3
|mile=8.84
|exit=9
|type=incomplete
|road=Black Lane
|notes=Northbound exit and southbound entrance}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=9.86
|exit=10
|road={{jct|state=IL|I|255|location1=Interstate 270|location2=Memphis}}
|notes=I-255 exit 25; access Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, Fairmount Race Track, and Our Lady of the Snows Shrine}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=11.00
|exit=11
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|157|city1=Collinsville|city2=Edwardsville|city3=Glen Carbon|name1=Bluff Road}}
|notes=Access to Illinois State District 11 Headquarters, Convention Center, and Our Lady of the Snows Shrine}}
{{ILint|exit
|location=Maryville
|mile=14.55
|exit=15
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|159|name1=Center Street, Vandalia Street|city1=Collinsville|city2=Maryville}}
|notes=Signed as exits 15A (south) & 15B (north)}}
{{ILint|exit
|location=Troy
|lspan=2
|mile=16.91
|exit=17
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=IL|US|40|dir1=east|city1=St. Jacob|city2=Highland}}
|notes=Northern end of US 40 concurrency}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=17.91
|exit=18
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|162|city1=Troy|extra=hospital}}
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|township=Pin Oak
|ctdab=Madison
|lspan=2
|mile=19.08
|exit=20A
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=IL|I|70|dir1=east|name1=Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway|location1=Indianapolis}}
|notes=Northern end of I-70 concurrency}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=19.32
|exit=20B
|road={{jct|state=IL|I|270|dir1=west|location1=Kansas City}}
|notes=I-270 exit 15}}
{{ILint|exit
|location=Edwardsville
|mile=22.39
|exit=23
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|143|city1=Edwardsville|city2=Marine}}
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|location=Hamel
|mile=29.57
|exit=30
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|140|city1=Alton|city2=Greenville|city3=Hamel}}
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|township=Olive
|ctdab=Madison
|mile=33.15
|exit=33
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|4|city1=Staunton|city2=Lebanon|city3=Worden}}
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|location=Livingston
|mile=36.71
|exit=37
|road=New Douglas Road / Nicholls Street – Livingston, New Douglas
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|county=Macoupin
|cspan=2
|township=Staunton
|ctdab=Macoupin
|mile=40.47
|exit=41
|road=Staunton
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|location=White City
|mile=44.05
|exit=44
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|138|city1=Mount Olive|city2=Benld|city3=White City}}
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|county=Montgomery
|cspan=4
|location=Litchfield
|mile=52.35
|exit=52
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|16|city1=Gillespie|city2=Litchfield|city3=Hillsboro|city4=Mattoon}}
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|township=Zanesville
|ctdab=Montgomery
|lspan=2
|mile=59.98
|exit=60
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|108|dir1=west|city1=Carlinville}}
|notes=Eastern terminus of IL 108}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=63.02
|exit=63
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|48|IL|127|city1=Raymond|city2=Taylorville|city3=Hillsboro}}
|notes=Western terminus of IL 48/IL 127}}
{{ILint|exit
|township=Bois D'Arc
|ctdab=Montgomery
|mile=71.51
|exit=72
|road=Farmersville, Girard (CR 17)
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|county=Sangamon
|cspan=15
|location=Divernon
|mile=80.00
|exit=80
|road=Divernon
}}
{{ILint|exit
|township=Divernon
|ctdab=Sangamon
|mile=81.53
|exit=82
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|104|city1=Pawnee|city2=Auburn}}
}}
{{ILint|exit
|township=Ball
|ctdab=Sangamon
|mile=83.35
|exit=83
|road=Glenarm
|notes=Former {{jct|state=IL|US-Hist|66|noshield=yes}} }}
{{ILint|exit
|location=Springfield
|lspan=10
|mile=88.26
|exit=88
|road={{jct|state=IL|road|East Lake Shore Drive|city1=Chatham}}
}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=90.16
|exit=90
|road=Toronto Road
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=91.84
|exit=92A
|road={{jct|state=IL|US-Hist|66|dir1=east|noshield1=yes|BL|55|dab2=Springfield|dir2=north|name2=6th Street}}
|notes=Left exit northbound}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=92.28
|exit=92B
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=IL|I|72|dir1=west|name1=Purple Heart Memorial Highway|US|36|dir2=west|city1=Jacksonville|city2=Quincy}}
|notes=Southern end of I-72/US 36 concurrency; left exit northbound}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=94.42
|exit=94
|road=Stevenson Drive / East Lake Shore Drive
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=96.37
|mspan=2
|exit=96A
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|29|dir1=south|city1=Taylorville}}
|notes=Cloverleaf interchange
|nspan=2}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=none
|exit=96B
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|29|dir1=north|name1=South Grand Avenue}}
|notes=none}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=97.47
|mspan=2
|exit=98A
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=IL|I|72|dir1=east|name1=Purple Heart Memorial Highway, Penny Severns Memorial Expressway|US|36|dir2=east|city1=Decatur|city2=Champaign|city3=Urbana}}
|notes=Northern end of I-72/US 36 concurrency}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=none
|exit=98B
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|97|dir1=west|name1=Clear Lake Avenue}}
}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=99.53
|exit=100
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|54|dir1=east|road|Sangamon Avenue|extra=airport|city1=Clinton}}
|notes=Cloverleaf interchange; signed as exits 100A (IL 54) & 100B (Sangamon Ave.); former {{jct|state=IL|US|54|noshield=yes}}; serves Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport}}
{{ILint|exit
|location=Sherman
|mile=104.50
|exit=105
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=IL|BL|55|dab1=Springfield|dir1=south|US-Hist|66|dir2=west|city1=Sherman|extra=airport}}
|notes=Southern end of Historic US 66 concurrency; access to Wolf Creek Road and Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport}}
{{ILint|exit
|location=Williamsville
|mile=109.13
|exit=109
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|123|dir1=west|US-Hist|66|dir2=east|noshield2=yes|city1=Williamsville|city2=Petersburg}}
|notes=Northern end of Historic US 66 concurrency}}
{{ILint|exit
|county=Logan
|cspan=7
|location=Elkhart
|mile=114.56
|exit=115
|road=Elkhart (CR 10)
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|township=Broadwell
|ctdab=Logan
|lspan=2
|mile=119.42
|exit=119
|road=Broadwell (CR 22)
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=122.51
|exit=123
|road={{jct|state=IL|BL|55|dab1=Lincoln|dir1=north|city1=Lincoln|name1=Lincoln Parkway}}
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|township=West Lincoln
|ctdab=Logan
|lspan=2|mile=125.78
|exit=126
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|121|dir1=south|IL|10|city1=Lincoln|city2=Mason City|extra=hospital}}
|notes=Northern terminus of IL 121; serves Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=127.04
|exit=127
|road={{jct|state=IL|I|155|dir1=north|city1=Peoria|city2=Hartsburg}}
|notes=Left exit and entrance northbound; southern terminus of I-155; I-155 exit 0}}
{{ILint|exit
|township=East Lincoln
|ctdab=Logan
|mile=132.21
|exit=133
|road={{jct|state=IL|BL|55|dab1=Lincoln|dir1=south|name1={{jct|state=IL|US-Hist|66|noshield=yes}}|city1=Lincoln|city2=Lawndale|countydab2=Logan}}
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|township=Atlanta
|ctdab=Logan
|mile=139.81
|exit=140
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|county=McLean
|cspan=11
|location=McLean
|mile=144.68
|exit=145
|road={{jct|state=IL|US|136|city1=McLean|city2=Heyworth|city3=Funks Grove}}
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|township=Dale
|ctdab=McLean
|mile=153.74
|exit=154
|road=Shirley
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|location=Bloomington
|lspan=2
|mile=156.38
|mile2=156.85
|exit=157
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=IL|I|74|dir1=east|name1=Everett McKinley Dirksen Memorial Highway|US|51|dir2=south|city1=Decatur|location2=Indianapolis}}
{{jct|state=IL|BL|55|dab1=Bloomington-Normal|dir1=north|name1=Veterans Parkway}}
|notes=Left exit and entrance southbound; signed as exits 157A ({{nowrap|I-74/}}US 51) and 157B (I-55 BL) northbound, no exit number southbound; southern end of I-74/US 51 concurrency}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=159.69
|exit=160
|road={{jct|state=IL|US|150|IL|9|name2=Market Street|city1=Pekin}}
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|location=Normal
|lspan=4
|mile=163.32
|exit=163
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=IL|I|74|dir1=west|name1=Everett McKinley Dirksen Memorial Highway|city1=Peoria}}
|notes=Northern end of I-74 concurrency; I-74 exit 127}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=164.48
|exit=164
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=IL|I|39|dir1=north|US|51|dir2=north|city1=Rockford}}
|notes=Northern end of US 51 concurrency; southern terminus of I-39}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=164.81
|exit=165
|road={{jct|state=IL|US-Bus|51|dab1=Bloomington-Normal|city1=Bloomington|city2=Normal}}
|notes=Signed as exits 165A (south) & 165B (north) northbound}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=167.36
|exit=167
|road={{jct|state=IL|BL|55|dab1=Bloomington-Normal|dir1=south|name1=Veterans Parkway|city1=Central Illinois Regional Airport|extra=airport}}
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|location=Towanda
|mile=170.99
|exit=171
|road=Towanda (CR 29)
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|location=Lexington
|mile=178.29
|exit=178
|road=Lexington (CR 8)
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|location=Chenoa
|mile=186.60
|exit=187
|road={{jct|state=IL|US|24|city2=El Paso|city1=Chenoa}}
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|county=Livingston
|cspan=4
|location=Pontiac
|lspan=2
|mile=196.62
|exit=197
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|116|city1=Flanagan|city2=Pontiac}}
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=200.46
|exit=201
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|23|city1=Pontiac|city2=Streator}}
|notes=To IL 170}}
{{ILint|exit
|township=Odell
|ctdab=Livingston
|mile=209.03
|exit=209
|road=Odell (CR 1)
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|township=Dwight
|ctdab=Livingston
|mile=217.02
|exit=217
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|17|city1=Streator|city2=Kankakee|name1=Mazon Avenue}}
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|county=Grundy
|cspan=2
|township=Goodfarm
|ctdab=Grundy
|mile=219.91
|exit=220
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|47|city1=Dwight|city2=Morris|name1=Union Street}}
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|location=Gardner
|mile=226.88
|exit=227
|road={{Jct|state=IL|IL|53|dir1=north|city1=Gardner}}
|notes=Southern terminus of IL 53
}}
{{ILint|exit
|county1=Grundy
|county2=Will
|location=Braidwood
|mile=233.42
|exit=233
|road=Reed Road – Braidwood
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|county=Will
|cspan=14
|location1=Braidwood
|location2=Diamond
|mile=235.63
|exit=236
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|113|city1=Coal City|city2=Kankakee}}
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|township=Wilmington
|ctdab=Will
|lspan=3
|mile=238.32
|exit=238
|type=incomplete
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|129|dir1=south|name1=Washington Street|city1=Braidwood|city2=Wilmington|countydab2=Will}}
|notes=Northbound exit and entrance; northern terminus of IL 129}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=240.41
|exit=240
|road=Lorenzo Road
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=240.97
|exit=241
|road={{jctname|state=IL|CR|county1=Will|44|dir1=east|noshield=yes|nolink=yes|name1=N. River Road}}
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|township=Channahon
|ctdab=Will
|mile=243.91
|exit=244
|road=Arsenal Road
|notes=Chicagoland Speedway}}
{{ILint|exit
|location=Channahon
|lspan=3
|mile=246.67
|exit=247
|road={{jctname|state=IL|CR|county1=Will|77|dir1=west|noshield=yes|nolink=yes|name1=Bluff Road}}
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=248.15
|exit=248
|road={{jct|state=IL|US|6|city1=Joliet|city2=Morris|name1=Eames Street}}
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=250.25
|exit=250
|road={{jct|state=IL|I|80|location1=Iowa|location2=Indiana}}
|notes=Signed as exits 250A (east) & 250B (west); I-80 exit 126}}
{{ILint|exit
|location=Shorewood
|mile=251.40
|exit=251
|type=
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|59|dir1=north|name1=Gateway Boulevard|city1=Shorewood|city2=Plainfield}}
|notes=Rebuilt to a diverging-diamond interchange (DDI) on October 7, 2024; southern terminus of IL 59}}
{{ILint|exit
|location1=Shorewood
|location2=Joliet
|mile=252.79
|exit=253
|road={{jct|state=IL|US|52|name1=Jefferson Street|city1=Joliet|city2=Shorewood}}
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|location1=Joliet
|location2=Plainfield
|mile=257.41
|exit=257
|road={{jct|state=IL|US|30|Lincoln|name2=Plainfield Road|city1=Aurora|city2=Joliet}}
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|location=Plainfield
|mile=261.08
|exit=261
|type=incomplete
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|126|dir1=west|name1=Main Street|city1=Plainfield}}
|notes=Southbound exit and northbound entrance; eastern terminus of IL 126}}
{{ILint|exit
|location1=Romeoville
|location2=Bolingbrook
|mile=263.43
|exit=263
|road=Weber Road (CR 88)
|notes=Rebuilt from a diamond interchange to a Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) in 2022}}
{{ILint|exit
|location=Bolingbrook
|mile=267.02
|exit=267
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|53|name1=Bolingbrook Drive|city1=Bolingbrook|city2=Romeoville}}
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|county1=Will
|county2=DuPage
|cspan=2
|location1=Bolingbrook
|location2=Woodridge
|lspan=2
|mile=268.73
|exit=268
|type=concur
|road={{jctname|state=IL|US-Hist|66|name1=Joliet Road south|dir1=west|noshield=yes}}
|notes=Southbound exit and northbound entrance; southern end of Historic US 66 concurrency
}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=269.34
|exit=269
|road={{jct|state=IL|I-Toll|355|name1=Veterans Memorial Tollway|location1=Southwest Suburbs|location2=Northwest Suburbs}}
|notes=I-355 exit 12
}}
{{ILint|exit
|county=DuPage
|cspan=3
|location=Darien
|lspan=2
|mile=270.85
|exit=271
|road={{jctname|state=IL|CR|9|county1=DuPage|noshield=yes|name1=Lemont Road}}
|notes=Signed as exits 271A (south) & 271B (north)
}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=272.86
|exit=273
|road={{jctname|state=IL|CR|15|county1=DuPage|noshield=yes|name1=Cass Avenue}}
|notes=Signed as exits 273A (south) & 273B (north); serves Argonne National Laboratory
}}
{{ILint|exit
|location1=Willowbrook
|ctdab1=DuPage
|location2=Burr Ridge
|mile=274.50
|exit=274
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|83|name1=Kingery Highway}}
|notes=Signed as exits 274A (south) & 274B (north)}}
{{ILint|exit
|county1=DuPage
|county2=Cook
|location=Burr Ridge
|mile=276.33
|exit=276
|road=County Line Road
|notes=Signed as exits 276A (south) & 276B (north)}}
{{ILint|exit
|county=Cook
|cspan=16
|location=Indian Head Park
|mile=276.80
|exit=276C
|type=concur
|road={{jctname|state=IL|US-Hist|66|name1=Joliet Road|dir1=east|noshield=yes}}
|notes=Northbound exit and southbound entrance; northern end of Historic US 66 concurrency; south end of Stevenson Expressway}}
{{ILint|exit
|location1=Indian Head Park
|location2=Countryside
|mile=277.57
|exit=277
|type=incomplete
|road={{jct|state=IL|I-Toll|294|name1=Tri-State Tollway|location1=Wisconsin|location2=Indiana}}
|notes=Signed as exits 277A (north) & 277B (south); I-294 exit 23; no southbound exit to I-294 south}}
{{ILint|exit
|location1=Countryside
|location2=Hodgkins
|mile=278.87
|exit=279
|road={{jct|state=IL|US|12|US|20|US|45|name3=La Grange Road|to4=to|I-Toll|294|dir4=south}}
|notes=Signed as exits 279A (east/south) & 279B (west/north)}}
{{ILint|exit
|location=Summit
|mile=282.29
|exit=282
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|171|name1=1st Avenue}}
|notes=Signed as exits 282A (south) & 282B (north) northbound; Brookfield Zoo}}
{{ILint|exit
|location1=Summit
|location2=Forest View
|mile=283.40
|exit=283
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|43|name1=Harlem Avenue}}
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|location1=Stickney
|location2=Chicago
|mile=285.57
|exit=285
|road=Central Avenue (5600 West)
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|location=Chicago
|lspan=10
|mile=286.67
|exit=286
|road={{jct|state=IL|IL|50|name1=Cicero Avenue, 4800 West|location1=Chicago Midway Airport|extra=airport}}
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=287.74
|exit=287
|road=Pulaski Road (4000 West)
|notes=}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=288.83
|exit=288
|type=incomplete
|road=Kedzie Avenue (3200 West)
|notes=Southbound exit and northbound entrance}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=289.37
|exit=289
|type=incomplete
|road=California Avenue (2800 West)
|notes=Northbound exit and southbound entrance}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=290.44
|mile2=290.96
|exit=290
|road=Damen Avenue (2000 West) / Ashland Avenue (1600 West)
|notes=Ashland Ave. not signed southbound}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=292.34
|exit=292
|road={{jct|state=IL|I|90|I|94|name2=Dan Ryan Expressway|location1=Indiana|location2=Wisconsin}}
|notes=Signed as exits 292A (west) & 292B (east) northbound, and as exits 292 (west) & 293B (east) southbound
}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=292.91
|exit=293A
|type=incomplete
|road=Cermak Road – Chinatown
|notes=Northbound exit and southbound entrance}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=293.13
|exit=293C
|type=incomplete
|road=State Street
|notes=Southbound exit and northbound entrance}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=293.61
|exit=293D
|type=incomplete
|road={{jct|state=IL|road|Martin L. King Drive|location1=McCormick Place}}
|notes=Northbound exit and southbound entrance}}
{{ILint|exit
|mile=293.88
|exit=—
|road={{jct|state=IL|US|41|Tour|LMCT|noshield2=yes|name2=Lake Shore Drive}}
|notes=Northern terminus of I-55/Stevenson Expressway; no trucks must exit onto US 41 north; all trucks must exit onto US 41 south}}
{{jctbtm|exit|keys=concur,incomplete}}
Related routes
=Auxiliary routes=
I-55 has three auxiliary routes in Illinois:
- {{jct|state=IL|I|155}}: A spur from I-55 in Lincoln to I-74 just east of Peoria.
- {{jct|state=IL|I|255}}: The eastern third of the beltway around the St. Louis Metro Area (with I-270 forming the other two-thirds)
- {{jct|state=IL|I|355}}: The Veterans Memorial Tollway, serving the western and southwestern suburbs of Chicago, running from I-80 in New Lenox to I-290 in Addison
- {{jct|state=IL|BL|55}}: I-55 has three business loops in Illinois.
{{Clear}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons category|Interstate 55 in Illinois}}
{{AttachedKML|display=title,inline}}
- [http://www.chipublib.org/004chicago/timeline/stevensonx.html Stevenson Expressway Timeline] at the Chicago Public Library
{{state detail page browse|type=I|route=55|state=Illinois|statebefore=Missouri}}
Category:Expressways in the Chicago area
Category:Roads in Greater St. Louis
Category:Transportation in St. Clair County, Illinois
Category:Transportation in Madison County, Illinois
Category:Transportation in Macoupin County, Illinois
Category:Transportation in Montgomery County, Illinois
Category:Transportation in Sangamon County, Illinois
Category:Transportation in Logan County, Illinois
Category:Transportation in McLean County, Illinois
Category:Transportation in Livingston County, Illinois
Category:Transportation in Grundy County, Illinois
Category:Transportation in Will County, Illinois