Interstate 90

Interstate 90
Public domain · source
Country	USA
Route	90
Length mi	3099
Length km	4987
Established	1956
Direction a	West
Terminus a	Seattle
Direction b	East
Terminus b	Boston

Interstate 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 a significant part of the United States Numbered Highway System and is maintained by the Federal Highway Administration in conjunction with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. It intersects with several major highways, including Interstate 5 in Seattle, Interstate 29 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Interstate 95 in Boston. The highway also passes through several notable cities, including Chicago, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh.

● Route Description

The route of Interstate 90 spans approximately 3,100 miles, making it one of the longest highways in the United States. It begins in Seattle and passes through the Cascade Range in Washington before entering Idaho and continuing east through Montana, where it intersects with Interstate 15 in Butte, Montana. The highway then passes through North Dakota and South Dakota, where it intersects with Interstate 29 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, before entering Minnesota and continuing east through Wisconsin, where it passes through Milwaukee and intersects with Interstate 43 and Interstate 94. The highway then enters Illinois and passes through Chicago, where it intersects with Interstate 55, Interstate 57, and Interstate 94, before continuing east through Indiana, where it passes through Indianapolis and intersects with Interstate 65 and Interstate 69. The highway then enters Ohio and passes through Cleveland and Toledo, where it intersects with Interstate 71 and Interstate 75, before continuing east through Pennsylvania, where it passes through Pittsburgh and intersects with Interstate 79 and Interstate 76. Finally, the highway enters New York and passes through Albany and Syracuse before terminating in Boston, where it intersects with Interstate 95 and Massachusetts Route 128.

● History

The construction of Interstate 90 began in the late 1950s, with the first segment opening in 1958 in Washington. The highway was built as part of the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956, which was signed into law by Dwight D. Eisenhower and provided funding for the construction of the Interstate Highway System. The highway was designed to provide a high-speed, limited-access route for through traffic, and it was built to AASHTO standards. The construction of the highway was a major undertaking, requiring the excavation of millions of cubic yards of earth and the construction of thousands of bridges and overpasses. The highway was completed in 1993, with the final segment opening in Massachusetts. The construction of the highway had a significant impact on the economy and development of the regions through which it passed, and it has played a major role in the growth and development of cities such as Chicago, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh.

● Major Intersections

Interstate 90 has several major intersections with other highways, including Interstate 5 in Seattle, Interstate 15 in Butte, Montana, Interstate 29 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Interstate 43 and Interstate 94 in Milwaukee, Interstate 55, Interstate 57, and Interstate 94 in Chicago, Interstate 65 and Interstate 69 in Indianapolis, Interstate 71 and Interstate 75 in Toledo, Interstate 79 and Interstate 76 in Pittsburgh, and Interstate 95 and Massachusetts Route 128 in Boston. The highway also intersects with several US highways, including US Route 2 in Montana, US Route 12 in Washington and Idaho, US Route 16 in South Dakota and Wyoming, and US Route 20 in Ohio and New York. Additionally, the highway intersects with several state highways, including Washington State Route 20 in Washington, Montana Highway 200 in Montana, and New York State Route 5 in New York.

● Traffic Volume

The traffic volume on Interstate 90 varies significantly depending on the location and time of day. The highway is heavily traveled in urban areas such as Chicago and Boston, with average daily traffic volumes exceeding 100,000 vehicles per day. In contrast, the highway is relatively lightly traveled in rural areas, with average daily traffic volumes often below 10,000 vehicles per day. The highway is also subject to significant seasonal variations in traffic volume, with higher volumes during the summer months and lower volumes during the winter months. According to data from the Federal Highway Administration, the average daily traffic volume on Interstate 90 in 2019 was approximately 44,000 vehicles per day, with the highest volumes occurring in Illinois and the lowest volumes occurring in Montana. The highway is also a major route for trucking and freight transportation, with many trucking companies and logistics providers using the highway to transport goods across the country.

● Auxiliary Routes

Interstate 90 has several auxiliary routes, including Interstate 190 in New York, Interstate 290 in Illinois, and Interstate 390 in New York. These auxiliary routes provide connections to nearby cities and towns, and they help to reduce traffic congestion on the mainline highway. Additionally, the highway has several business routes, including Business Loop 90 in Montana and Business Spur 90 in Idaho, which provide connections to local businesses and attractions. The highway also has several bypass routes, including the Chicago Skyway in Illinois and the Indiana Toll Road in Indiana, which provide high-speed, limited-access routes for through traffic.

● Construction and Upgrades

The construction and upgrades of Interstate 90 have been ongoing since the highway was first built in the 1950s. The highway has undergone several major upgrades and renovations over the years, including the construction of new interchanges and the widening of existing lanes. In recent years, the highway has undergone significant upgrades in several states, including Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. The upgrades have included the construction of new high-occupancy vehicle lanes and the installation of intelligent transportation systems to help manage traffic flow and reduce congestion. Additionally, the highway has undergone several major reconstruction projects, including the reconstruction of the Indiana Toll Road in Indiana and the Chicago Skyway in Illinois. The construction and upgrades of the highway have been managed by the Federal Highway Administration in conjunction with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and the various state departments of transportation. The upgrades have helped to improve the safety and efficiency of the highway, and they have played a major role in the growth and development of the regions through which the highway passes. Category:Interstate Highways in the United States