I-90

I-90 is a major east-west United States highway that spans from Seattle, Washington, to Boston, Massachusetts, passing through Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. The highway is approximately 3,099 miles long and is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States, connecting major cities such as Chicago, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Albany. I-90 intersects with several other major highways, including I-5, I-15, I-25, I-35, I-43, I-65, I-71, I-77, I-79, and I-87. The highway also passes through several notable landmarks, including Mount Rushmore, Badlands National Park, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

● Route Description

I-90 begins in Seattle and heads east through the Cascade Range, passing through Snoqualmie Pass and into Idaho. The highway then continues through Montana, passing near Glacier National Park and the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, before entering North Dakota and South Dakota. In South Dakota, I-90 passes through the Black Hills and near Mount Rushmore, before continuing into Minnesota and Wisconsin. The highway then passes through Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, before entering Pennsylvania and New York. I-90 passes through several major cities, including Butte, Billings, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Minneapolis, Madison, Milwaukee, Chicago, South Bend, Toledo, Cleveland, Erie, Buffalo, and Albany. The highway also intersects with several other major highways, including I-29, I-35, I-39, I-43, I-55, I-65, I-71, I-75, I-79, and I-81.

● History

I-90 was established in 1956 as part of the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956, which created the Interstate Highway System. The highway was originally designed to connect the major cities of the northern United States, and was constructed over the next several decades. The construction of I-90 involved the building of several major bridges, including the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan, which spans the Straits of Mackinac and connects the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to the rest of the state. I-90 also passes through several notable tunnels, including the Gallatin Canyon tunnel in Montana and the Allegheny Tunnel in Pennsylvania. The highway has undergone several major renovations and upgrades over the years, including the construction of new interchanges and the widening of existing lanes. I-90 has also been the site of several major events, including the 1972 United States presidential election, in which Richard Nixon campaigned along the highway, and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, in which several suspects were apprehended along I-90 in New York.

● Major Interchanges

I-90 has several major interchanges with other highways, including I-5 in Seattle, I-15 in Butte, I-25 in Buffalo, I-35 in Albert Lea, I-43 in Beloit, I-55 in Chicago, I-65 in Gary, I-71 in Cleveland, I-75 in Toledo, I-79 in Erie, and I-87 in Albany. The highway also intersects with several other major highways, including US-2, US-12, US-16, US-20, US-26, US-30, and US-212. I-90 passes through several major cities, including Minneapolis, Madison, Milwaukee, Chicago, South Bend, Toledo, Cleveland, Erie, Buffalo, and Albany, and is a major route for both passenger and commercial traffic. The highway is also a key connector for several major Amtrak routes, including the Empire Builder and the Lake Shore Limited.

● Traffic and Safety

I-90 is a major route for both passenger and commercial traffic, and is one of the busiest highways in the United States. The highway is subject to heavy traffic congestion, particularly during peak travel seasons, and is also prone to severe weather conditions, including blizzards and tornadoes. I-90 has several major rest areas and truck stops, including the South of the Border rest area in South Dakota and the Tamarack Marketplace in New York. The highway is also patrolled by several major law enforcement agencies, including the Idaho State Police, Montana Highway Patrol, North Dakota Highway Patrol, South Dakota Highway Patrol, Minnesota State Patrol, Wisconsin State Patrol, Illinois State Police, Indiana State Police, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Pennsylvania State Police, and New York State Police. I-90 has been the site of several major traffic accidents, including a 2019 pileup in Pennsylvania that involved over 50 vehicles.

● Impact and Economy

I-90 has had a significant impact on the economy of the northern United States, and is a major route for both passenger and commercial traffic. The highway has facilitated the growth of several major industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. I-90 passes through several major national parks and national forests, including Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and the Adirondack Park, and is a key route for recreational vehicles and tour buses. The highway is also a major connector for several major airports, including Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, O'Hare International Airport, and Logan International Airport. I-90 has been the subject of several major economic studies, including a 2018 report by the Federal Highway Administration that estimated the highway's annual economic impact at over $1 trillion.

● Route Variations

I-90 has several major route variations, including I-90 Business in Butte, I-90 Business in Billings, and I-90 Alternate in Rapid City. The highway also has several major bypasses, including the Chicago Skyway and the Indiana Toll Road. I-90 passes through several major toll roads, including the New York State Thruway and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and is a major route for both passenger and commercial traffic. The highway is also a key connector for several major intercity bus routes, including Greyhound Lines and Megabus. I-90 has been the subject of several major proposals for new route variations, including a proposed I-90 toll road in Illinois and a proposed I-90 bypass in Wisconsin.