Interstate 55

Interstate 55 is a major north-south Interstate Highway that spans approximately 964 miles, connecting New Orleans, Louisiana, to Chicago, Illinois, passing through Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri. The highway runs parallel to the Mississippi River for much of its length, passing through the Memphis and St. Louis metropolitan areas. Interstate 55 intersects with several major highways, including Interstate 10, Interstate 20, Interstate 40, and Interstate 70. The highway is maintained by the Federal Highway Administration and the respective state departments of transportation, including the Mississippi Department of Transportation, Tennessee Department of Transportation, Arkansas Department of Transportation, and Missouri Department of Transportation.

● Route Description

The route of Interstate 55 begins in New Orleans, where it intersects with Interstate 10 and U.S. Route 90. From there, it heads north through Mississippi, passing through the cities of Gulfport and Jackson, before entering Tennessee. In Tennessee, the highway passes through the city of Memphis, where it intersects with Interstate 40 and U.S. Route 70. Interstate 55 then enters Arkansas, passing through the cities of West Memphis and Jonesboro, before entering Missouri. In Missouri, the highway passes through the city of St. Louis, where it intersects with Interstate 44, Interstate 64, and Interstate 70, before continuing north to Chicago. The highway also passes through the Shawnee National Forest and the Mark Twain National Forest, and intersects with U.S. Route 51, U.S. Route 61, and U.S. Route 67.

● History

The construction of Interstate 55 began in the late 1950s, as part of the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956, which was signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The highway was designed to provide a direct route between New Orleans and Chicago, and to improve the transportation infrastructure in the region. The construction of the highway was overseen by the Federal Highway Administration and the respective state departments of transportation, including the Mississippi Department of Transportation, Tennessee Department of Transportation, Arkansas Department of Transportation, and Missouri Department of Transportation. The highway was completed in the early 1970s, and has since undergone several upgrades and improvements, including the construction of new interchanges and the widening of existing lanes. The highway has also been affected by several major events, including Hurricane Katrina, which caused significant damage to the highway in Mississippi and Louisiana.

● Major Intersections

Interstate 55 intersects with several major highways, including Interstate 10, Interstate 20, Interstate 40, and Interstate 70. The highway also intersects with several U.S. Routes, including U.S. Route 51, U.S. Route 61, and U.S. Route 67. In Tennessee, the highway intersects with Interstate 40 and U.S. Route 70 in Memphis, and with U.S. Route 79 in Brownsville. In Arkansas, the highway intersects with Interstate 40 and U.S. Route 63 in West Memphis, and with U.S. Route 65 in Pine Bluff. In Missouri, the highway intersects with Interstate 44, Interstate 64, and Interstate 70 in St. Louis, and with U.S. Route 50 in St. Clair.

● Auxiliary Routes

Interstate 55 has several auxiliary routes, including Interstate 155 and Interstate 255 in Missouri, and Interstate 555 in Arkansas. These auxiliary routes provide access to nearby cities and towns, and help to reduce traffic congestion on the main highway. Interstate 155 connects Interstate 55 to the city of Hayti, while Interstate 255 connects Interstate 55 to the city of Florissant. Interstate 555 connects Interstate 55 to the city of Jonesboro.

● Traffic Volume

The traffic volume on Interstate 55 varies by location, with the highest volumes typically occurring in the St. Louis and Memphis metropolitan areas. According to data from the Federal Highway Administration, the average daily traffic volume on Interstate 55 in Missouri is over 100,000 vehicles per day, while in Tennessee it is over 50,000 vehicles per day. The highway is also an important route for commercial traffic, with many truck stops and rest areas located along the route. The highway is maintained by the Federal Highway Administration and the respective state departments of transportation, including the Mississippi Department of Transportation, Tennessee Department of Transportation, Arkansas Department of Transportation, and Missouri Department of Transportation, which work to ensure that the highway remains safe and well-maintained. Category:Interstate Highways in the United States