# Interstate 55

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"I-55" redirects here. For the Japanese submarines, see [Japanese submarine I-55](/source/Japanese_submarine_I-55).

**Interstate 55** (**I-55**) is a major [Interstate Highway](/source/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](/source/Gulf_of_Mexico) to the [Great Lakes](/source/Great_Lakes). The highway travels from [LaPlace](/source/LaPlace,_Louisiana), Louisiana, at [I-10](/source/Interstate_10) to [Chicago](/source/Chicago), Illinois, at [U.S. Route 41](/source/U.S._Route_41) (US 41), at [McCormick Place](/source/McCormick_Place). The major cities that I-55 connects to are (from south to north); [Jackson](/source/Jackson,_Mississippi), Mississippi; [Memphis](/source/Memphis,_Tennessee), Tennessee; [St. Louis](/source/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](/source/U.S._Route_66) (US 66). The Interstate crosses the [Mississippi River](/source/Mississippi_River) twice: once at Memphis and again at St. Louis.

## History

See also: [Interstate 55 in Illinois#History](/source/Interstate_55_in_Illinois#History)

When it was realized that a national highway system was needed, the [Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956](/source/Federal-Aid_Highway_Act_of_1956) provided for a highway replacing the old [US 66](/source/U.S._Route_66) which I-55 filled. I-55 was originally constructed in the 1960s, to extend a section of US 66 between [I-294](/source/Interstate_294) and [Gardner](/source/Gardner,_Illinois) 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](/source/St._Louis) to [Chicago](/source/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

|- |[LA](/source/Interstate_55_in_Louisiana) |65.81 |105.91 |- |[MS](/source/Interstate_55_in_Mississippi) |290.41 |467.37 |- |[TN](/source/Interstate_55_in_Tennessee) |12.28 |19.76 |- |[AR](/source/Interstate_55_in_Arkansas) |72.22 |116.22 |- |[MO](/source/Interstate_55_in_Missouri) |210.45 |338.69 |- |[IL](/source/Interstate_55_in_Illinois) |293.80 |472.72 |- |Total |964.25 |1,551.81 |}

### Louisiana

Main article: [Interstate 55 in Louisiana](/source/Interstate_55_in_Louisiana)

In [Louisiana](/source/Louisiana), I-55 runs nearly 66 miles (106 km) from south to north, from [I-10](/source/Interstate_10) near [Laplace](/source/Laplace,_Louisiana) (25 miles (40 km) west of [New Orleans](/source/New_Orleans)) to the [Mississippi](/source/Mississippi) state line near [Kentwood](/source/Kentwood,_Louisiana). Approximately a third of the distance consists of the [Manchac Swamp Bridge](/source/Manchac_Swamp_Bridge), a nearly 23-mile (37-kilometre) [causeway](/source/Causeway), often cited as the third-longest viaduct in the world.

### Mississippi

Main article: [Interstate 55 in Mississippi](/source/Interstate_55_in_Mississippi)

In [Mississippi](/source/Mississippi), I-55 runs 290.5 miles (467.5 km) from the [Louisiana](/source/Louisiana) border near [Osyka](/source/Osyka,_Mississippi) to [Southaven](/source/Southaven,_Mississippi) on the [Tennessee](/source/Tennessee) border, just south of [Memphis, Tennessee](/source/Memphis,_Tennessee). Noteworthy cities and towns that I-55 passes through or close by to are [Brookhaven](/source/Brookhaven,_Mississippi), [McComb](/source/McComb,_Mississippi), [Jackson](/source/Jackson,_Mississippi), and [Grenada](/source/Grenada,_MS). This highway parallels [US 51](/source/U.S._Route_51) in its path roughly through the center of Mississippi. The 8 miles (13 km) from Hernando to the Tennessee state line coincide with the newer [I-69](/source/Interstate_69).

The Mississippi section of I-55 is defined in the Mississippi Code § 65-3-3.

### Tennessee

Main article: [Interstate 55 in Tennessee](/source/Interstate_55_in_Tennessee)

I-55 in Tennessee lies entirely within the city of [Memphis](/source/Memphis,_Tennessee), 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](/source/Interstate_240_(Tennessee)) and [I-40](/source/Interstate_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](/source/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](/source/Speed_limit) of 70 mph (110 km/h) is reduced to 65 mph (105 km/h).[2]

### Arkansas

Main article: [Interstate 55 in Arkansas](/source/Interstate_55_in_Arkansas)

I-55 enters Arkansas from Tennessee as it crosses the Mississippi River on the [Memphis & Arkansas Bridge](/source/Memphis_%26_Arkansas_Bridge). It overlaps I-40 for approximately 2.8 miles (4.5 km) in [West Memphis](/source/West_Memphis,_Arkansas). After separating from I-40, I-55 turns northward and runs with US 61 and US 64 until US 64 exits in through [Marion](/source/Marion,_Arkansas).[3] I-55/US 61 continues north through [Crittenden County](/source/Crittenden_County,_Arkansas) through rural farms of the [Arkansas Delta](/source/Arkansas_Delta), including an interchange with [I-555](/source/Interstate_555) in [Turrell](/source/Turrell,_Arkansas). I-55 passes through [Blytheville](/source/Blytheville,_Arkansas), where it has a junction with [Highway 18](/source/Arkansas_Highway_18) (AR 18) before entering Missouri.[4] I-55 parallels [US 61](/source/U.S._Route_61) in its path through Arkansas, which it continues to do after crossing into Missouri.

### Missouri

Main article: [Interstate 55 in Missouri](/source/Interstate_55_in_Missouri)

In Missouri, I-55 runs from the southeastern part of the state, at the Arkansas border, to [St. Louis](/source/St._Louis). In the southern part of the state, I-55 meets [I-57](/source/Interstate_57) in [Sikeston](/source/Sikeston,_Missouri). Then I-55 goes north to St. Louis, where [I-44](/source/Interstate_44) merges in with I-55, and then [I-64](/source/Interstate_64) (on the [Poplar Street Bridge](/source/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](/source/Cape_Girardeau,_Missouri), 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](/source/St._Louis_County,_Missouri).

### Illinois

Main article: [Interstate 55 in Illinois](/source/Interstate_55_in_Illinois)

Through Illinois, I-55 largely follows the 1940 alignment of the former [US 66](/source/U.S._Route_66), now Historic US 66 (Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway). It runs from the Poplar Street Bridge in [East St. Louis](/source/East_St._Louis,_Illinois) to [US 41](/source/U.S._Route_41) in Chicago, passing around the state capital of [Springfield](/source/Springfield,_Illinois) and the metro area of [Bloomington](/source/Bloomington,_Illinois)–[Normal](/source/Normal,_Illinois).

Within Illinois, I-55 goes by several names. Near the [I-270](/source/Interstate_270_(Illinois%E2%80%93Missouri))/[I-70](/source/Interstate_70) split, it is referred to as the Paul Simon Freeway after former US Senator [Paul Simon](/source/Paul_Simon_(politician)), 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](/source/Vince_Demuzio). Finally, in the Chicago area between the [I-80](/source/Interstate_80) interchange near Joliet and I-55's eastern terminus at US 41 ([Lake Shore Drive](/source/Lake_Shore_Drive)) in [Chicago](/source/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](/source/Adlai_Stevenson_II), who was a two-time Democratic nominee for President of the United States and also the US Ambassador to the [United Nations](/source/United_Nations) under Presidents [John F. Kennedy](/source/John_F._Kennedy) and [Lyndon B. Johnson](/source/Lyndon_B._Johnson). In July 2018, the stretch of I-55 from [I-294](/source/Interstate_294) to milemarker 202 near Pontiac was renamed as **Barack Obama Presidential Expressway**, after former President [Barack Obama](/source/Barack_Obama).[5]

When the stretch of I-55 through Illinois was being planned during the 1960s, the state's governor, [Otto Kerner Jr.](/source/Otto_Kerner_Jr.), made an effort to have it routed close to the larger city of [Peoria](/source/Peoria,_Illinois) 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](/source/Interstate_155_(Illinois)). This also connects with nearby [Lincoln](/source/Lincoln,_Illinois) and [Morton](/source/Morton,_Illinois) and forms a triangle between the three population centers in [Central Illinois](/source/Central_Illinois).[6]

## Junction list

**Louisiana**- in [LaPlace](/source/LaPlace,_Louisiana)
- northeast of LaPlace. The highways travel concurrently to [Hammond](/source/Hammond,_Louisiana).
- in Hammond
- in Hammond
**Mississippi**- in [McComb](/source/McComb,_Mississippi). The highways travel concurrently to [Summit](/source/Summit,_Mississippi).
- south-southwest of [Brookhaven](/source/Brookhaven,_Mississippi)
- in [Crystal Springs](/source/Crystal_Springs,_Mississippi). The highways travel concurrently to [Jackson](/source/Jackson,_Mississippi).
- in Jackson. I-20/I-55/US 49 travel concurrently to [Richland](/source/Richland,_Mississippi).
- in [Ridgeland](/source/Ridgeland,_Mississippi)
- in [Winona](/source/Winona,_Mississippi)
- in [Batesville](/source/Batesville,_Mississippi)
- in [Hernando](/source/Hernando,_Mississippi). The highways travel concurrently to [Memphis, Tennessee](/source/Memphis,_Tennessee).
**Tennessee**- in Memphis
- in Memphis
- in Memphis
- in Memphis. I-55/US 61 travels concurrently to [Turrell, Arkansas](/source/Turrell,_Arkansas). I-55/US 64 travels concurrently to [Marion, Arkansas](/source/Marion,_Arkansas). I-55/US 70/US 79 travels concurrently to [West Memphis, Arkansas](/source/West_Memphis,_Arkansas).
**Arkansas**- in West Memphis. The highways travel concurrently through West Memphis.
- in West Memphis
- in Turrell
- in [Blytheville](/source/Blytheville,_Arkansas)
**Missouri**- east of [Steele](/source/Steele,_Missouri). The highways travel concurrently to [Portageville](/source/Portageville,_Missouri).
- in [Hayti](/source/Hayti,_Missouri)
- in [New Madrid](/source/New_Madrid,_Missouri)
- north of New Madrid
- on the [Sikeston](/source/Sikeston,_Missouri)–[Miner](/source/Miner,_Missouri) city line
- in Miner
- in [Scott City](/source/Scott_City,_Missouri). The highways travel concurrently to [Cape Cirardeau](/source/Cape_Girardeau,_Missouri).
- in Cape Girardeau
- north-northeast of [Jackson](/source/Jackson,_Missouri)
- south-southeast of [Festus](/source/Festus,_Missouri)
- in Festus
- on the [Concord](/source/Concord,_Missouri)–[Mehlville](/source/Mehlville,_Missouri) CDP line
- on the Concord–[Green Park](/source/Green_Park,_Missouri)–Mehlville line
- on the [McKinley Heights](/source/McKinley_Heights,_St._Louis)–[Soulard](/source/Soulard,_St._Louis), [St. Louis](/source/St._Louis) neighborhood line. The highways travel concurrently to [Downtown St. Louis](/source/Downtown_St._Louis).
- in Downtown, St. Louis. I-55/I-64 travels concurrently to [East St. Louis, Illinois](/source/East_St._Louis,_Illinois). I-55/US 40 travels concurrently to [Troy, Illinois](/source/Troy,_Illinois).
**Illinois**- in East St. Louis. I-55/I-70 travels concurrently to northwest of Troy.
- in [Collinsville](/source/Collinsville,_Illinois)
- northwest of Troy
- in [Springfield](/source/Springfield,_Illinois). The highways travel concurrently through Springfield.
- northwest of [Lincoln](/source/Lincoln,_Illinois)
- southeast of [McLean](/source/McLean,_Illinois)
- in [Bloomington](/source/Bloomington,_Illinois). I-55/I-74 travels concurrently to northwest of [Normal](/source/Normal,_Illinois). I-55/US 51 travels concurrently to Normal.
- in Bloomington
- in Normal
- in [Chenoa](/source/Chenoa,_Illinois)
- in [Channahon](/source/Channahon,_Illinois)
- in Channahon
- in [Shorewood](/source/Shorewood,_Illinois)
- in [Joliet](/source/Joliet,_Illinois)
- on the [Bolingbrook](/source/Bolingbrook,_Illinois)–[Woodridge](/source/Woodridge,_Illinois) village line
- on the [Burr Ridge](/source/Burr_Ridge,_Illinois)–[Indian Head Park](/source/Indian_Head_Park,_Illinois)–[Countryside](/source/Countryside,_Illinois) village line
- on the Countryside–[Hodgkins](/source/Hodgkins,_Illinois) village line
- in [Armour Square](/source/Armour_Square,_Chicago), [Chicago](/source/Chicago)
- in [Near South Side](/source/Near_South_Side,_Chicago), Chicago

[7]

## Auxiliary routes

- Spur to [Jonesboro, Arkansas](/source/Jonesboro,_Arkansas): [I-555](/source/Interstate_555)
- [Caruthersville, Missouri](/source/Caruthersville,_Missouri) to [Dyersburg, Tennessee](/source/Dyersburg,_Tennessee): [I-155](/source/Interstate_155_(Missouri%E2%80%93Tennessee))
- [St. Louis, Missouri](/source/St._Louis,_Missouri), area: [I-255](/source/Interstate_255)
- Spur to [Peoria, Illinois](/source/Peoria,_Illinois): [I-155](/source/Interstate_155_(Illinois))
- In the western suburbs of [Chicago, Illinois](/source/Chicago,_Illinois): [I-355](/source/Interstate_355)

## References

1. Public Roads Administration (August 14, 1957). [*Official Route Numbering for the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways as Adopted by the American Association of State Highway Officials*](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Interstate_Highway_plan_August_14,_1957.jpg). Washington, DC: Public Roads Administration. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170719213034/https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Interstate_Highway_plan_August_14,_1957.jpg) July 19, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 14, 2018. – via [Wikimedia Commons](/source/Wikimedia_Commons)

1. ["Getting Around"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102542/http://memphis.cityvisitorsguide.com/gettingaround.htm). *City Visitors Guide*. Archived from [the original](http://memphis.cityvisitorsguide.com/gettingaround.htm) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 24, 2013.

1. Planning and Research Division (January 2, 2007). [*General Highway Map, Crittenden County, Arkansas*](https://web.archive.org/web/20120226223642/http://www.arkansashighways.com/maps/counties/county%20PDFs/CrittendenCounty.pdf) (PDF). [Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department](/source/Arkansas_State_Highway_and_Transportation_Department). Archived from [the original](http://www.arkansashighways.com/maps/Counties/County%20PDFs/CrittendenCounty.pdf) on February 26, 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2012.

1. Planning and Research Division (January 11, 2010). [*General Highway Map, Mississippi County, Arkansas*](https://web.archive.org/web/20210115013658/http://www.arkansashighways.com/maps/Counties/County%20PDFs/MississippiCounty.pdf) (PDF). Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. Archived from [the original](http://www.arkansashighways.com/maps/Counties/County%20PDFs/MississippiCounty.pdf) on January 15, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2012.

1. Mackey, Brian. ["Illinois Highway To Be Named After Barack Obama"](https://www.nprillinois.org/post/illinois-highway-be-named-after-barack-obama). Retrieved 2018-08-15.

1. ["Despite dead-end for I-55's Kerner Curve, I-74 changed area forever"](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). *[Peoria Journal-Star](/source/Peoria_Journal-Star)*. January 1, 2000. Retrieved February 17, 2008. – via [NewsBank](/source/NewsBank)

1. 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

- [Illinois Highway Ends: Interstate 55](http://highwayexplorer.com/il_EndsPage.php?id=3055&section=1)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Interstate 55](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_55) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_55?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.