Interstate 88 (Illinois)

Interstate 88 (Illinois) is a major east-west interstate highway that spans across the northern part of Illinois, connecting the Quad Cities to the Chicago metropolitan area. The highway passes through several counties, including Rock Island County, Henry County, Bureau County, and LaSalle County, and intersects with several major highways, such as I-39, I-55, and US 51. The highway is maintained by the Illinois Department of Transportation and is a vital transportation route for both passenger vehicles and trucks, providing access to several major cities, including Moline, Rock Island, and Joliet.

● Route Description

The route of Interstate 88 (Illinois) begins at the I-5 / US 30 interchange in the Quad Cities and heads east, passing through the cities of East Moline and Silvis. The highway then continues east, intersecting with IL 5 and IL 92 in Rock Island County, before entering Henry County. In Henry County, the highway passes through the cities of Geneseo and Annawan, and intersects with IL 78 and IL 82. The highway then enters Bureau County, where it passes through the cities of Princeton and Spring Valley, and intersects with IL 26 and IL 89. The highway continues east, entering LaSalle County and passing through the cities of Ottawa and LaSalle, before terminating at the IL 92 / IL 40 interchange in Silvis. The highway also passes near several major landmarks, including the Mississippi River, Hennepin Canal, and Starved Rock State Park.

● History

The history of Interstate 88 (Illinois) dates back to the 1950s, when the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 was passed, authorizing the construction of the interstate highway system. The original plan for the highway called for it to be built as a toll road, but this plan was later abandoned in favor of a free road. The highway was officially designated as Interstate 88 (Illinois) in 1987, and was constructed in several phases over the next few decades. The highway was built to provide a high-speed transportation route between the Quad Cities and the Chicago metropolitan area, and to relieve traffic congestion on other highways, such as US 30 and IL 5. The construction of the highway involved the cooperation of several government agencies, including the Illinois Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, and United States Department of Transportation.

● Exit List

The exit list for Interstate 88 (Illinois) includes several major interchanges, such as the I-5 / US 30 interchange in the Quad Cities, the IL 5 / IL 92 interchange in Rock Island County, and the IL 78 / IL 82 interchange in Henry County. The highway also has several smaller interchanges, such as the IL 26 / IL 89 interchange in Bureau County, and the IL 23 / IL 71 interchange in LaSalle County. The exit list also includes several rest areas and truck stops, such as the Rest Area in Henry County and the Truck Stop in Bureau County.

● Major Intersections

The major intersections of Interstate 88 (Illinois) include the I-5 / US 30 interchange in the Quad Cities, the IL 5 / IL 92 interchange in Rock Island County, and the IL 78 / IL 82 interchange in Henry County. The highway also intersects with several other major highways, such as I-39, I-55, and US 51, at various points along its route. The major intersections of the highway are critical to its function as a transportation route, providing access to several major cities and landmarks, including Chicago, Joliet, and Starved Rock State Park.

● Traffic Volume

The traffic volume on Interstate 88 (Illinois) is significant, with thousands of vehicles traveling on the highway every day. The highway is a major transportation route for both passenger vehicles and trucks, and is used by several major shipping companies, including UPS, FedEx, and Con-way Freight. The traffic volume on the highway is highest during rush hour, when thousands of commuters travel to and from work in the Chicago metropolitan area. The highway is also heavily used by tourists and travelers, who visit several major landmarks and attractions along its route, including Starved Rock State Park, Hennepin Canal, and the Quad Cities. The traffic volume on the highway is monitored by the Illinois Department of Transportation, which uses several methods, including traffic cameras and traffic counters, to track the number of vehicles on the highway and to identify areas of high traffic congestion.