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Illinois' I-64: A Comprehensive Journey Through the Prairie State

An in-depth exploration of Interstate 64's vital role in connecting the St. Louis metropolitan area to Indiana, traversing the diverse landscapes of Southern Illinois.

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Overview

A Critical East-West Corridor

Interstate 64 (I-64) serves as a significant east-west Interstate Highway within the state of Illinois. It spans the southern region of the state, providing a crucial link from the St. Louis metropolitan area eastward to the Indiana state line, specifically near Grayville, Illinois. This segment of I-64 covers a substantial distance of 130.4 miles (approximately 209.9 kilometers)[1], facilitating both regional and interstate travel and commerce.

Maintained by IDOT

The maintenance and operational oversight of Interstate 64 in Illinois fall under the purview of the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). This agency is responsible for ensuring the highway's structural integrity, safety, and efficiency for all users. As a vital component of the national infrastructure, the entire route of I-64 in Illinois is designated as part of the National Highway System (NHS), underscoring its strategic importance for national defense, economy, and mobility.

Western Terminus: The Mississippi River

The western end of I-64 in Illinois commences at the Missouri state line, where it runs concurrently with Interstate 55 (I-55) and U.S. Route 40 (US 40). This confluence occurs on the iconic Poplar Street Bridge, which gracefully spans the Mississippi River, connecting the urban centers of St. Louis, Missouri, with East St. Louis, Illinois. This shared entry point highlights the interconnectedness of regional transportation networks.

Route Description

St. Louis Metropolitan Area Traverse

Upon entering Illinois via the Poplar Street Bridge, I-64 initially shares its alignment with I-55 and US 40. In East St. Louis, the highway diverges from these routes, adopting a distinct southeasterly trajectory. It then proceeds through the eastern and southeastern suburbs of the St. Louis metropolitan area within St. Clair County, passing through communities such as Caseyville, Fairview Heights, O'Fallon, and Shiloh.

Access to Key Facilities

Near Shiloh, I-64 strategically borders the northern perimeter of Scott Air Force Base and MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. This positioning provides essential access to these critical facilities via Illinois Route 4 (IL 4), which also connects to the nearby towns of Mascoutah and Lebanon. A notable enhancement to this segment was the completion of a new interchange at Rieder Road in September 2017, designed to improve access to Scott Air Force Base. This project included the addition of a third lane in each direction, with provisions for a future fourth lane, and a central Jersey barrier for enhanced safety[2].

Rural Illinois Passage

As I-64 progresses eastward, it crosses into Clinton County, passing the exurban community of New Baden before transitioning out of the St. Louis metropolitan area. The route then enters a predominantly rural expanse of Illinois, traversing Washington and Jefferson counties. This stretch is characterized by fewer adjacent cities and major intersections. The city of Mount Vernon in Jefferson County stands out as the sole major urban center and significant intersection served by I-64 outside the immediate St. Louis metropolitan region[3][1].

Eastern Approach to Indiana

Beyond Mount Vernon, I-64 continues its journey through another rural segment, extending across portions of Jefferson, Wayne, and White counties. This final stretch in Illinois culminates at the Wabash River, which marks the state boundary with Indiana. Here, I-64 seamlessly transitions into its Indiana segment, continuing its role as a vital interstate connector[3].

History

Construction and Phased Opening

The development of Interstate 64 in Illinois was a multi-year endeavor, with sections opening progressively throughout the 1970s. The initial segment of I-64 to open was a small portion situated just west of the Indiana state line, operational by 1970[4]. This marked the beginning of the highway's integration into the state's transportation network.

  • 1970: A small section of I-64 west of the Indiana state line was opened to traffic[4].
  • 1973: Another segment became operational, located just south of Mount Vernon[5].
  • 1975: Two additional significant portions of I-64 were completed and opened. These included the stretch from Illinois Route 4 (IL 4) to Interstate 57 (I-57), and the segment from Illinois Route 111 (IL 111) to Illinois Route 159 (IL 159)[6].
  • 1977: The remaining sections of I-64 in Illinois were completed and opened to the public. This finalization of the route led to the complete removal of U.S. Route 460 (US 460) from the Illinois highway system, as I-64 absorbed its functions and provided a superior, limited-access alternative[7].

Exit List

Key Interchanges and Destinations

The following table provides a detailed list of exits and major junctions along Interstate 64 in Illinois, from its western terminus at the Missouri state line to its eastern continuation into Indiana. This includes mile markers, corresponding kilometer markers, exit numbers, and the primary destinations served by each interchange[1][8].

Legend: Concurrency terminus   Incomplete access

County Location mi km Exit Destinations Notes
Mississippi River 0.0 0.0 I-55 South / I-64 West / US 40 West โ€“ St. Louis Continuation into Missouri
Poplar Street Bridge
Illinoisโ€“Missouri line
St. Clair East St. Louis 0.6 0.97 1 IL 3 South / Great River Road โ€“ Cahokia Western end of IL 3/GRR concurrency; exit includes direct exit ramp onto 13th Street / Tudor Avenue
0.9 1.4 2A Third Street โ€“ Eads Bridge, Casino Queen Westbound exit and eastbound entrance
1.3 2.1 2B-C Martin Luther King Bridge โ€“ Downtown St. Louis Signed as exits 2B (left exit) and 2C (right exit); no eastbound exits
2.5 4.0 3A I-55 / Great River Road North / US 40 East to I-70 East โ€“ Chicago, Indianapolis Eastern end of I-55/US 40/GRR concurrency; exit unnumbered eastbound; I-55 north exit 3, south exit 3A
2.6 4.2 3B I-70 West (Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway) to IL 3 North โ€“ Kansas City Westbound exit and eastbound entrance; I-70 exit 3
2.7 4.3 3 IL 3 North (St. Clair Avenue) Eastern end of IL 3 concurrency; no westbound exit
3.3 5.3 4A Baugh Avenue / 18th Street Westbound exit and entrance
4.2 6.8 4B 25th Street
Washington Park 5.8 9.3 6 IL 111 (Kingshighway)
Caseyville 7.1 11.4 7 I-255 / US 50 West โ€“ Memphis, Chicago Western end of US 50 concurrency; I-255 exit 20
8.4 13.5 9 IL 157 (Bluff Road) โ€“ Caseyville, Centreville
Fairview Heights 12.0 19.3 12 IL 159 (Illinois Street) โ€“ Belleville, Collinsville
O'Fallon 14.2 22.9 14 Old US Highway 50 โ€“ O'Fallon
15.7 25.3 16 Green Mount Road โ€“ O'Fallon, Shiloh
18.6 29.9 19 US 50 East / IL 158 West (Air Mobility Drive) โ€“ Carlyle, Scott Air Force Base Eastern end of US 50 concurrency; northern terminus of IL 158; signed as exits 19A (west) and 19B (east)
21 Rieder Road Completed in 2017
Mascoutah 22.6 36.4 23 IL 4 โ€“ Mascoutah, Lebanon Serves MidAmerica St. Louis Airport
New Baden 27.1 43.6 27 IL 161 โ€“ New Baden
Clinton Looking Glass Township 34.2 55.0 34 Albers
Washington Okawville Township 40.4 65.0 41 IL 177 โ€“ Okawville
Nashville 49.8 80.1 50 IL 127 โ€“ Carlyle, Nashville
Richview Township 60.7 97.7 61 US 51 โ€“ Centralia, Ashley
Jefferson Casnerโ€“Shiloh
township line
68.6 110.4 69 Woodlawn
Mount Vernon 73.3 118.0 73 I-57 North โ€“ Chicago Western end of I-57 concurrency, exit 96 on I-57
74.8 120.4 95 IL 15 โ€“ Mount Vernon, Ashley Exit numbers follow I-57; serves Mount Vernon Outland Airport
75.8 122.0 94 Veterans Memorial Drive
McClellan Township 78.0 125.5 78 I-57 South to I-24 โ€“ Memphis, Nashville Eastern end of I-57 concurrency; exit 92 on I-57. Access to Rend Lake
Dodds Township 79.7 128.3 80 IL 37 โ€“ Mount Vernon
Pendleton Township 88.5 142.4 89 Belle Rive, Bluford
Wayne Orel Township 99.3 159.8 100 IL 242 โ€“ Wayne City
Barnhill Township 110.1 177.2 110 US 45 โ€“ Mill Shoals
White Burnt Prairie Township 116.7 187.8 117 CR 20 โ€“ Burnt Prairie
Grayville 129.4 208.2 130 IL 1 โ€“ Grayville, Carmi
Wabash River 130.4 209.9 I-64 East โ€“ Evansville, Louisville Continuation into Indiana

Counties Traversed

Geographical Progression

Interstate 64 in Illinois navigates through six distinct counties, each contributing to the diverse landscape and demographic profile of Southern Illinois. The route's journey begins in the populous St. Clair County, part of the greater St. Louis metropolitan area, and concludes in White County at the Indiana border. This progression offers a cross-section of urban, exurban, and rural environments.

From Metro to Rural Heartland

The counties traversed by I-64 include:

  • St. Clair County: The westernmost county, encompassing East St. Louis and its eastern suburbs, including Caseyville, Fairview Heights, O'Fallon, and Shiloh. This area is characterized by its proximity to a major metropolitan center and significant transportation infrastructure.
  • Clinton County: Following St. Clair, I-64 enters Clinton County, passing through areas like New Baden and marking the transition from the immediate St. Louis metropolitan influence to more rural settings.
  • Washington County: Continuing eastward, the highway crosses Washington County, a predominantly rural area with agricultural landscapes.
  • Jefferson County: This county hosts Mount Vernon, the only major city directly served by I-64 outside the St. Louis metropolitan area, offering a brief return to more concentrated development.
  • Wayne County: I-64 proceeds through the rural expanses of Wayne County, characterized by smaller communities and open land.
  • White County: The easternmost county along the route in Illinois, leading to the Wabash River and the state line with Indiana.

This sequence of counties highlights the varied geographical and economic tapestry of Southern Illinois, all connected by this vital interstate artery.

Highway System Context

Part of the Interstate Highway System

Interstate 64 is an integral component of the broader Interstate Highway System in the United States. This national network of controlled-access highways is designed for efficient long-distance travel and strategic connectivity. Within this system, I-64 is classified as a "Main" Interstate Highway, signifying its role as a primary cross-country route. The Interstate Highway System also includes auxiliary, suffixed, business, and future routes, each serving specific functions within the larger network.

Illinois State Highway System Integration

Beyond its national designation, I-64 is also a key element of the Illinois State Highway System. This comprehensive state-managed network includes various classifications of roads that facilitate intra-state travel and connect to the national system. The Illinois system comprises:

  • Interstate Highways: Such as I-64, forming the backbone of high-speed travel.
  • U.S. Highways: Older, often non-limited-access routes that predate the Interstate system but remain vital.
  • State Routes: Numbered highways managed by the state, connecting towns and regions.
  • Tollways: Specific segments of highways where tolls are collected for maintenance and construction.
  • Scenic Highways: Designated routes recognized for their natural beauty or historical significance.

I-64's integration into both national and state systems underscores its multifaceted importance for transportation in Illinois and the wider Midwest region.

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References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Interstate 64 in Illinois Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional consultation with civil engineers, transportation planners, or local authorities regarding highway systems, infrastructure projects, or travel conditions. Always refer to official state department of transportation resources, such as the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), for the most accurate and up-to-date information on road conditions, construction, and regulations. Never disregard official guidance or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.