Illinois Route 351

Illinois Route 351
State	IL
Type	IL
Route	351
Length mi	8.55
Established	1960
Direction a	South
Terminus a	U.S. Route 6
Direction b	North
Terminus b	Interstate 74
Counties	LaSalle County

Illinois Route 351 is a north–south state highway in LaSalle County connecting Peru and LaSalle along a former alignment of U.S. Route 51. The route serves urban cores, industrial corridors, and riverfront areas near the Illinois River and intersects major corridors including U.S. 6 and Interstate 74. IL 351 functions as a local arterial that ties to regional facilities such as Starved Rock State Park, Illinois Valley Regional Airport, and the Illinois Railway network.

Route description

The highway begins at an intersection with U.S. 6 near the Illinois River floodplain and proceeds north through commercial and residential districts within Peru, passing landmarks like the LaSalle County Courthouse and connections to the Illinois Valley Community College. Within Peru the road parallels the Illinois River and crosses branches of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, providing access to riverfront parks and the Hennepin Canal. Continuing into LaSalle, the route traverses downtown, intersects municipal streets that lead to the Illinois Waterway locks and the historic Starved Rock Lodge, and terminates at an interchange with Interstate 74 near industrial tracts served by the Union Pacific Railroad and shortline carriers including the Illinois Railway.

History

The alignment of IL 351 traces back to federal and state realignments of U.S. Route 51 and secondary highways during mid-20th century highway planning influenced by agencies like the American Association of State Highway Officials. Early 20th-century maps show the corridor as part of auto trails linking Chicago to the Gulf Coast and connecting river towns such as Ottawa and Spring Valley. Postwar commercial growth, shifts in U.S. Route 51 routing, and the construction of Interstate 74 prompted the Illinois Department of Transportation to designate the former federal alignment as a state route in the 1960s. Over subsequent decades, improvements paralleled regional economic changes tied to manufacturers such as Caterpillar Inc. and transportation policies by the Illinois Tollway Authority and local planning commissions. Historic preservation efforts in LaSalle and infrastructure grants through programs administered by the Federal Highway Administration influenced rehabilitation projects on bridges over the Illinois River tributaries.

Major intersections

- Southern terminus: intersection with U.S. 6 near Peru and service roads to Illinois Valley Regional Airport. - Junction with municipal arterials providing access to LaSalle County Historical Society and corridors toward Starved Rock State Park. - Cross streets linking to U.S. 34 and state routes serving Oglesby and Mendota. - Northern terminus: interchange with Interstate 74 and ramps to regional freight connections including the Union Pacific Railroad mainline.

Traffic and usage

IL 351 carries a mix of commuter, freight, and local traffic tied to employers such as Molina Healthcare regional offices, logistics centers, and light manufacturing sites. Seasonal tourism to destinations like Starved Rock State Park and cultural venues in LaSalle increases weekend traffic volumes. Traffic studies commissioned by the Illinois Department of Transportation and regional planning organizations show peak hour flows associated with shifts at industrial plants and school calendars for institutions like St. Bede Academy and LaSalle-Peru Township High School.

Safety and maintenance

Maintenance responsibility falls to the Illinois Department of Transportation, which coordinates winter operations with LaSalle County crews and applies pavement preservation strategies promoted by the Federal Highway Administration. Safety interventions have included intersection realignments, signal upgrades funded through state transportation appropriations, and resurfacing projects following guidelines from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Bridge inspections comply with national standards overseen by the National Bridge Inventory program; work on culverts and drainage ties into floodplain management efforts coordinated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Future developments and proposals

Proposals under consideration by municipal planners, the Illinois Department of Transportation, and regional agencies include multimodal improvements to enhance pedestrian and bicycle connectivity to downtown LaSalle and riverfront redevelopment initiatives linked to grant programs administered by the U.S. Economic Development Administration and the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Freight mobility studies referencing the Illinois Freight Mobility Plan suggest targeted capacity and intersection improvements to accommodate logistics growth. Potential federal infrastructure funds from programs advanced by the U.S. Department of Transportation could support corridor resurfacing, bridge rehabilitation, and streetscape projects coordinated with local entities such as the Peru-LaSalle Chamber of Commerce.

Category:State highways in Illinois Category:Transportation in LaSalle County, Illinois