Interstate 66

Interstate 66 is a major east-west Interstate Highway that spans approximately 303 miles, connecting St. Louis, Missouri to Washington, D.C., passing through Illinois, Kentucky, and Virginia. The highway is a significant transportation artery, providing access to several major cities, including Springfield, Illinois, Lexington, Kentucky, and Arlington, Virginia. Federal Highway Administration and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials have designated Interstate 66 as a critical route for commercial and recreational travel. The highway intersects with several other major routes, including Interstate 55, Interstate 64, and Interstate 81, which are managed by the Missouri Department of Transportation, Illinois Department of Transportation, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, and Virginia Department of Transportation.

● Route Description

The route of Interstate 66 begins in St. Louis, Missouri, at an intersection with Interstate 44 and Interstate 55, near the Gateway Arch and Busch Stadium. From there, it proceeds east through Illinois, passing near Springfield, Illinois, the state capital, and Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. The highway then enters Kentucky, where it intersects with Interstate 75 near Lexington, Kentucky, and University of Kentucky. Continuing east, Interstate 66 enters Virginia, passing through the Shenandoah Valley and near Shenandoah National Park. The highway then approaches Washington, D.C., intersecting with Interstate 495 and Interstate 95 before terminating near the United States Capitol and National Mall. The route is maintained by the Missouri Department of Transportation, Illinois Department of Transportation, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, and Virginia Department of Transportation, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration.

● History

The construction of Interstate 66 began in the late 1950s, as part of the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956, signed into law by Dwight D. Eisenhower. The highway was designed to improve the safety and efficiency of east-west travel, and to provide a direct route between St. Louis, Missouri and Washington, D.C.. The route was originally planned to extend from Los Angeles, California to Washington, D.C., but it was later truncated to its current length. The highway was built in phases, with the first section opening in Missouri in 1959, followed by sections in Illinois, Kentucky, and Virginia. The completion of Interstate 66 was celebrated in 1971, with a ceremony attended by Richard Nixon and other dignitaries. The highway has undergone several upgrades and improvements since its completion, including the addition of new interchanges and the reconstruction of existing sections, funded in part by the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 and the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991.

● Major Intersections

Interstate 66 intersects with several other major highways, including Interstate 55 and Interstate 64 in Missouri, Interstate 57 and Interstate 74 in Illinois, Interstate 75 in Kentucky, and Interstate 81 and Interstate 95 in Virginia. The highway also intersects with several U.S. Routes, including U.S. Route 40 and U.S. Route 60 in Missouri, U.S. Route 51 in Illinois, and U.S. Route 11 and U.S. Route 17 in Virginia. These intersections provide access to several major cities, including Chicago, Illinois, Indianapolis, Indiana, and Baltimore, Maryland, which are served by the Chicago Transit Authority, Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation, and Maryland Transit Administration. The highway is also near several major airports, including Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport, and Washington Dulles International Airport, which are operated by the City of St. Louis, Springfield Airport Authority, and Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

● Traffic Volume

The traffic volume on Interstate 66 varies by location, with the highest volumes near Washington, D.C. and the lowest volumes in rural areas of Missouri and Kentucky. According to data from the Federal Highway Administration, the average daily traffic volume on Interstate 66 ranges from approximately 10,000 vehicles per day in rural areas to over 200,000 vehicles per day near Washington, D.C.. The highway is an important route for both commercial and recreational travel, with many trucks and buses using the highway to transport goods and people between St. Louis, Missouri and Washington, D.C., which are served by the St. Louis Regional Freightway and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. The highway is also used by several major trucking companies, including J.B. Hunt Transport Services and Landstar System, which are headquartered in Lowell, Arkansas and Jacksonville, Florida.

● Exit List

The exit list for Interstate 66 includes over 100 exits, with many providing access to major cities, airports, and other highways. Some notable exits include exit 1 in St. Louis, Missouri, which provides access to Interstate 44 and Interstate 55, and exit 64 in Washington, D.C., which provides access to Interstate 495 and Interstate 95. Other notable exits include exit 20 in Springfield, Illinois, which provides access to Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, and exit 40 in Lexington, Kentucky, which provides access to University of Kentucky. The exit list is maintained by the Missouri Department of Transportation, Illinois Department of Transportation, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, and Virginia Department of Transportation, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

● Impact

The construction of Interstate 66 has had a significant impact on the regions it passes through, providing improved access to major cities and economic centers. The highway has also had a major impact on the environment, with the construction of the highway resulting in the destruction of natural habitats and the disruption of ecosystems. However, the highway has also provided opportunities for economic development and growth, with many businesses and industries locating near the highway to take advantage of its access to major markets. The highway is also an important route for emergency services, including FEMA and the American Red Cross, which respond to disasters and emergencies in the regions it passes through, including the Great Flood of 1993 and Hurricane Katrina. Overall, the impact of Interstate 66 has been significant, and it continues to play an important role in the transportation network of the United States. The highway is maintained and operated by the Missouri Department of Transportation, Illinois Department of Transportation, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, and Virginia Department of Transportation, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and is policed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Illinois State Police, Kentucky State Police, and Virginia State Police.

Category:Interstate Highways in the United States