U.S. Route 67
Encyclopedia
U.S. Route 67 is a 1,560 mile (2,511 km) long north–south U.S. highway in the Central United States
. The southern terminus of the route is at the United States-Mexico border in Presidio
, Texas
, where it continues south as Mexican Federal Highway 16 upon crossing the Rio Grande
. The northern terminus is at U.S. Route 52
in Sabula
, Iowa
.
US 67 crosses the Mississippi River
twice along its routing. The first crossing is at West Alton, Missouri
, where US 67 uses the Clark Bridge
to reach Alton, Illinois
. About 240 miles (386.2 km) to the north, US 67 crosses the river again at the Rock Island Centennial Bridge
between Rock Island, Illinois
, and Davenport, Iowa
. Additionally, the route crosses the Missouri River
via the Lewis Bridge a few miles southwest of the Clark Bridge.
|TX
|766
|1233
|-
|AR
|325
|523
|-
|MO
|201
|323
|-
|IL
|212
|341
|-
|IA
|56
|90
|-
|Total
|1560
|2511
|}
US 67 is part of the La Entrada al Pacifico
international trade corridor from its southern terminus to an intersection with U.S. Route 385 in McCamey
, where the corridor follows US 385 to Odessa
.
Between Dallas and Weaver, the highway runs concurrently
with Interstate 30
(unsigned between Dallas and Royse City
). From Weaver to Texarkana, US 67 basically runs parallel to I-30.
East of the Interstate 35E
/Interstate 30 "mixmaster" in Downtown Dallas
, U.S. Route 67 follows Interstate 30. West of the "mixmaster," U.S. Route 67 follows I-35E south through Oak Cliff
. Along this portion, the U.S. Route 67 shield is also alongside the Interstate shield. Just north of Kiest Boulevard, U.S. Route 67 breaks off from Interstate 35E and maintains controlled-access ("Interstate grade") status down to Midlothian
, where it becomes a four-lane divided highway to the western edge of Cleburne
. The route from Alpine to San Angelo was once a previous route of SH 99.
, where it then runs concurrent with I-30 to North Little Rock
. It then runs on a freeway north to Highway 226 north of Newport, Arkansas where it goes back onto its original 2 lane alignment north to the border. In 2009, a bill was introduced to name the portion of U.S. Route 67 as "Rock 'n' Roll Highway 67." The bill, by Rep. J.R. Rogers of Walnut Ridge, designates U.S. 67 in Jackson, Lawrence and Randolph counties as "Rock 'n' Roll Highway 67." Besides Presley and Johnny Cash, the bill notes that Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis and Fats Domino also played at clubs along the stretch of highway.
at the Arkansas
state line. About 10 miles (16.1 km) north of the state line, it intersects US 160. At the southwest corner of Poplar Bluff
, Business Route 67 goes into Poplar Bluff while US 67 bypasses Poplar Bluff to the west on a freeway-grade highway. It then joins US 60 at the northwest corner of Poplar Bluff. Both 60 and 67 then follow a four-lane route to an interchange about 6 miles (9.7 km) northwest of Poplar Bluff, where US 60 heads west toward Springfield
while US 67 heads north to St. Louis.
Construction is complete to divide the highway through Wayne, Madison and Butler Counties, including bypasses around Greenville
and Cherokee Pass
. The new divided highway opened on August 19, 2011, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Dividing the highway from the Poplar Bluff bypass south to one mile past US 160 is proposed by MoDot.
From Fredericktown, US 67 passes through Farmington
, Park Hills
, Desloge
, and Bonne Terre
. About 25 miles (40.2 km) north of Bonne Terre, US 67 crosses Interstate 55 and enters Festus
and Crystal City
and picks up US 61. This becomes known as Jeffco Boulevard from that point until it exits Jefferson County
and enters St. Louis County
as Lemay Ferry Road.
, It travels Lemay Ferry Road (Route 267) until it reaches Lindbergh Boulevard
. There it travels Lindbergh Boulevard (known as Kirkwood Road in Kirkwood
). Us 61 then turns left onto I-64/US 40 West towards Wentzville. Lindbergh, named for aviator Charles Lindbergh
, continues north through Frontenec, Ladue, Creve Coeur, Maryland Heights, Bridgeton, Hazelwood and Florissant until it reaches Lewis & Clark Boulevard (Route 367). From there, it continues straight north to West Alton, Missouri
and then crosses the Mississippi River
on the Clark Bridge and enters Alton, Illinois
.
The only vehicular tunnel in Missouri is located on US 67 at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport
, where the road tunnels under the runway.
, U.S. 67 runs north from the Clark Bridge
in Alton
through the Forgottonia
region of western Illinois. It runs near the cities of Jacksonville
, Beardstown
, through Macomb
, and near Monmouth
before crossing into Iowa across the Rock Island Centennial Bridge
.
. It follows an alignment through Bettendorf
and Clinton
which parallels the Mississippi River. Near Sabula
, U.S. 67 meets U.S. Route 52
and ends.
. The northern terminus of US 67 was in Missouri under the original US highway numbering scheme of 1926, likely due to limited bridge crossings over the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. In Missouri, US 67 replaced Route 23, created in 1922 from Arkansas to Fredericktown. By 1932, with a Mississippi River crossing route determined, US 67 was extended north along Illinois Route 3
to Rock Island
, Illinois
.
Even though the old Clark Bridge
had been opened to traffic across the Mississippi River
at Alton
in 1928 , US 67 originally crossed the Mississippi River with US 66
via the McKinley Bridge
from St. Louis
to Venice. From Venice, US 67 headed north along what had been IL 3
via Alton to Rock Island
, Illinois
. The original route of IL 3 from Alton to Jacksonville that became US 67 went through East Newbern, Jerseyville, and Carrollton.
US 67 had several routes over the years. The Illinois section was likely not included in original US highways in 1926, due to limited bridge crossings. The history of US 67 through Illinois is almost as storied as the famous highway to its east U.S. Route 66
that follows the old Illinois Route 4
.
, in 1926. The route was extended north on Illinois Route 3 (through western Illinois) to its northern terminus in Rock Island, Illinois by 1932 . Sometime after 1940, US 67 was routed into Madison County. Then, it was co-signed with Route 66 as both routes went across the McKinley Bridge.
By the mid 1940s, US 67 had been rerouted from St. Louis to Alton via the Lewis Bridge over the Missouri River and the Clark Bridge
(formerly the Old Clark Bridge
) over the Mississippi River. The Alton to Jerseyville section now passed through Godfrey and Delhi. By the mid 1950s, a more direct route for US 67 from Godfrey to Jacksonville via Greenfield had opened. Heading north from Downtown Alton, US 67 was rerouted via an abandoned railroad grade to the north end of town.
Between Fort Bellefontaine, Missouri (near Lewis Bridge) and south of St. Louis, US 67 followed two different routes. US 67 originally followed Lewis and Clark Boulevard, Florissant Avenue, 7th Street, and Broadway south through St. Louis. US 67 Bypass followed Lindbergh Boulevard
around the city. Route 99 was an inner bypass within the city limits, following Kingshighway Boulevard and Riverview Boulevard between Route 30 (Gravois Road) and US 67 (Florissant Avenue). US 67 replaced Route 99 in the mid-1950s, using Loughborough Avenue at the south end, and the old route south of downtown became an extension of US 67 Alternate, which had begun downtown and crossed into Illinois towards Alton. (The old US 67 north of downtown was mostly US 66 City.) Later, in the late 1960s, US 67 moved to the bypass, and the old route, where not turned back to the city, became Route 267 and Route 367.
In 1962 another reroute occurred, due to the completion of a new river bridge over the Illinois River
at Beardstown. A new direct route was constructed from this bridge at Beardstown to Rushville, eliminating the earlier US-67 eastern route northeast along current IL-100 to Frederick then turning north to Rushville. A western by-pass of downtown Rushville was completed a couple of years later.
In 1964, US 67A was replaced by Route 3, as St. Louis started to get rid of highways such as 67A. A new four-lane Route 3 opened a few years later.
In 1968, US 67 was rerouted on a more western route between Jacksonville and Beardstown. The route was the existing IL-104 (Jacksonville to near Merodosia) and IL-100 (Near Merodosia to Beardstown). The original US 67 road passed through Virginia on what is now IL-78 (Jacksonville to Virginia) and then on IL-125 (Virginia to Beardstown), which follows the historic post road between Springfield and Beardstown.
Before 1994, US 67 went through Alton on Belle Street and crossed the river by the Colonial Bread store. After 1994, US 67 got a new bridge as well as a new route through Alton. In the summer of 1994, parts of the road were blown up in a span of 8 to 10 weeks. Today, planners from Godfrey and Jerseyville are talking about building a new US 67 that would take a western route along the current IL 267.
When US 67 was shifted to a more direct route north of Alton between Godfrey and Jacksonville by the mid 1950s, the old route via Jerseyville and Carrollton became Alt US 67. This designation lasted until around 1965 when the route became IL 267.
In 2001, IDOT rerouted US 67 back onto the original (1940) routing (western route) north of Alton to Murrayville and IL-267 was put onto the newer alignment (eastern route) from near Murrayville through Greenfield to Medora. South of Medora to Godfrey the road retained only IL-111, a second number on this section. The rerouting was to accommodate a future "Corridor 67" expressway that will be built within the next decade or so. IDOT construction began in 2004 near Jacksonville. The new expressway is supposed to follow the corridor through White Hall, Carrollton, and Jerseyville and will eventually end in Godfrey.
From Macomb north to Monmouth, US 67 is currently a "Super Four" 65 mi/h, 4 lane highway. The Roseville Bypass was completed in 2003.
Central United States
The Central United States is sometimes conceived as between the Eastern United States and Western United States as part of a three-region model, roughly coincident with the Midwestern United States plus the western and central portions of the Southern United States; the term is also sometimes used...
. The southern terminus of the route is at the United States-Mexico border in Presidio
Presidio, Texas
Presidio is a city in Presidio County, Texas, United States. It stands on the Rio Grande , on the opposite side of the U.S.-Mexico border from Ojinaga, Chihuahua. The population was 4,167 at the 2000 census....
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, where it continues south as Mexican Federal Highway 16 upon crossing the Rio Grande
Rio Grande
The Rio Grande is a river that flows from southwestern Colorado in the United States to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way it forms part of the Mexico – United States border. Its length varies as its course changes...
. The northern terminus is at U.S. Route 52
U.S. Route 52
U.S. Route 52 is a United States highway that runs across the northern, eastern and southeastern regions of the United States. Contrary to most other even-numbered U.S...
in Sabula
Sabula, Iowa
Sabula is a city in Jackson County, Iowa, United States. The population was 670 at the 2000 census. Sabula is the site of Iowa's only island city. The island has a beach and a campground. It also has a harbor with boat docks and storage sheds to store some boats during the winter...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
.
US 67 crosses the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
twice along its routing. The first crossing is at West Alton, Missouri
West Alton, Missouri
West Alton is a city in St. Charles County, Missouri, United States. The population was 573 at the 2000 census. It is located at the tip of the peninsula formed by the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.-Geography:...
, where US 67 uses the Clark Bridge
Clark Bridge
The Clark Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge across the Mississippi River between West Alton, Missouri and Alton, Illinois. Named after explorer William Clark like the bridge it replaced, the cable-stayed bridge opened in 1994. It carries U.S. Route 67 across the river...
to reach Alton, Illinois
Alton, Illinois
Alton is a city on the Mississippi River in Madison County, Illinois, United States, about north of St. Louis, Missouri. The population was 27,865 at the 2010 census. It is a part of the Metro-East region of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area in Southern Illinois...
. About 240 miles (386.2 km) to the north, US 67 crosses the river again at the Rock Island Centennial Bridge
Rock Island Centennial Bridge
The Centennial Bridge, or Rock Island Centennial Bridge, connects Rock Island, Illinois and Davenport, Iowa. The bridge is long and stands above water level. On September 4, 1988, lights were installed on the arches, which make the bridge a very scenic sight at night.Construction of the bridge...
between Rock Island, Illinois
Rock Island, Illinois
Rock Island is the county seat of Rock Island County, Illinois, United States. The population was 40,884 at the 2010 census. Located on the Mississippi River, it is one of the Quad Cities, along with neighboring Moline, East Moline, and the Iowa cities of Davenport and Bettendorf. The Quad Cities...
, and Davenport, Iowa
Davenport, Iowa
Davenport is a city located along the Mississippi River in Scott County, Iowa, United States. Davenport is the county seat of and largest city in Scott County. Davenport was founded on May 14, 1836 by Antoine LeClaire and was named for his friend, George Davenport, a colonel during the Black Hawk...
. Additionally, the route crosses the Missouri River
Missouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
via the Lewis Bridge a few miles southwest of the Clark Bridge.
Route description
|-|TX
U.S. Route 67 in Texas
U.S. Route 67 is a major U.S. highway in the state of Texas. It runs from the US-Mexico Border south of Presidio to Texarkana at the Texas-Arkansas border. US 67 is part of the La Entrada al Pacifico international trade corridor from its southern terminus to US 385 in McCamey.-US-Mexico Border to...
|766
|1233
|-
|AR
U.S. Route 67 in Arkansas
U.S. Route 67 in Arkansas runs from Texarkana to the Missouri state line in Northeastern Arkansas.-Route description:U.S. Route 67 runs parallel to Interstate 30 from Texarkana to Benton, where it then runs concurrent with I-30 to North Little Rock. It then runs east, concurrent with I-40, for...
|325
|523
|-
|MO
|201
|323
|-
|IL
U.S. Route 67 in Illinois
In the U.S. state of Illinois, U.S. Route 67 is a north–south highway through the western portions of the state. It runs from the Clark Bridge in Alton north to the Rock Island Centennial Bridge in Rock Island. This is a distance of .U.S...
|212
|341
|-
|IA
U.S. Route 67 in Iowa
U.S. Route 67 is a U.S. Highway in the state of Iowa. The route begins in Davenport at the Rock Island Centennial Bridge where it crosses the Mississippi River and ends at an intersection with US 52 and Iowa Highway 64 west of Sabula. It passes through Bettendorf, Le Claire, and Clinton...
|56
|90
|-
|Total
|1560
|2511
|}
Texas
Throughout Texas, US 67 runs from north to south, in a primarily east–west manner, apparently violating the norms for numbering U.S. highways as odd-numbered routes are typically north–south in orientation, because prevailing north–south versus prevailing east–west designation is determined by the ultimate termini as the route traverses multiple states.US 67 is part of the La Entrada al Pacifico
La Entrada al Pacífico
The La Entrada al Pacífico trade corridor was designated as "Trade Corridor 56" by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act. The corridor is an international project between Mexico and the United States as a route from the Pacific Ocean port of Topolobampo in the Mexican state of...
international trade corridor from its southern terminus to an intersection with U.S. Route 385 in McCamey
McCamey, Texas
McCamey is a city in Upton County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,805 at the 2000 census. The Texas legislature has declared McCamey "the Wind Energy Capital of Texas" because of the many wind farms that have been built in the area. Its history, however, is primarily that of an oil...
, where the corridor follows US 385 to Odessa
Odessa, Texas
Odessa is a city in and the county seat of Ector County, Texas, United States. It is located primarily in Ector County, although a small portion of the city extends into Midland County. Odessa's population was 99,940 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Odessa, Texas Metropolitan...
.
Between Dallas and Weaver, the highway runs concurrently
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
with Interstate 30
Interstate 30
Interstate 30 is an Interstate Highway in the southern United States. I-30 runs from Interstate 20 west of Fort Worth, Texas, northeast via Dallas, Texas, and Texarkana, Texas, to Interstate 40 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The route parallels U.S. Route 67 except for the portion west of...
(unsigned between Dallas and Royse City
Royse City, Texas
Royse City is a city in Rockwall County in the U.S. state of Texas. It also extends into Collin and Hunt Counties.The population was 2,957 at the 2000 census...
). From Weaver to Texarkana, US 67 basically runs parallel to I-30.
East of the Interstate 35E
Interstate 35E (Texas)
Interstate 35E , an Interstate Highway, is the eastern half of Interstate 35 where it splits to serve different cities in Texas. I-35 splits into two branch routes, I-35W and I-35E at Hillsboro. I-35E runs north for , maintaining I-35's sequence of exit numbers. It runs through Dallas before...
/Interstate 30 "mixmaster" in Downtown Dallas
Downtown Dallas
Downtown Dallas is the Central Business District in Dallas, Texas USA, located in the geographic center of the city. The area termed "Downtown" has traditionally been defined as bounded by the downtown freeway loop: bounded on the east by I-345 Downtown Dallas is the Central Business District...
, U.S. Route 67 follows Interstate 30. West of the "mixmaster," U.S. Route 67 follows I-35E south through Oak Cliff
Oak Cliff
Oak Cliff is a community in Dallas, Texas, United States that was formerly a separate town located in Dallas County; Dallas annexed Oak Cliff in 1903...
. Along this portion, the U.S. Route 67 shield is also alongside the Interstate shield. Just north of Kiest Boulevard, U.S. Route 67 breaks off from Interstate 35E and maintains controlled-access ("Interstate grade") status down to Midlothian
Midlothian, Texas
Midlothian is a city in northwest Ellis County, Texas, United States. It is the hub for the cement industry in North Texas as it is the home to three separate cement production facilities, as well as a steel mill. Midlothian is also a fast growing community with a growth rate of 142% since 2000...
, where it becomes a four-lane divided highway to the western edge of Cleburne
Cleburne, Texas
Cleburne is a city in Johnson County, Texas, United States, and a suburb of Fort Worth. According to 2007 United States Census Bureau estimates, the population is 29,050. It is the county seat of Johnson County. Cleburne is named for a Confederate General, Patrick Cleburne...
. The route from Alpine to San Angelo was once a previous route of SH 99.
Arkansas
In Arkansas, U.S. Route 67 runs parallel with Interstate 30 from Texarkana to BentonBenton, Arkansas
Benton is a city in and the county seat of Saline County, Arkansas, United States and a suburb of Little Rock. It was established in 1837. According to a 2006 Special Census conducted at the request of the city government, the population of the city is 27,717, ranking it as the state's 16th largest...
, where it then runs concurrent with I-30 to North Little Rock
North Little Rock, Arkansas
the city was 62.55% White, 33.98% Black or African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.18% from other races, and 1.26% from two or more races...
. It then runs on a freeway north to Highway 226 north of Newport, Arkansas where it goes back onto its original 2 lane alignment north to the border. In 2009, a bill was introduced to name the portion of U.S. Route 67 as "Rock 'n' Roll Highway 67." The bill, by Rep. J.R. Rogers of Walnut Ridge, designates U.S. 67 in Jackson, Lawrence and Randolph counties as "Rock 'n' Roll Highway 67." Besides Presley and Johnny Cash, the bill notes that Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis and Fats Domino also played at clubs along the stretch of highway.
Missouri
Going from south to north, US 67 enters MissouriMissouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
at the Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
state line. About 10 miles (16.1 km) north of the state line, it intersects US 160. At the southwest corner of Poplar Bluff
Poplar Bluff, Missouri
Poplar Bluff is a city in Butler County located in Southeast Missouri in the United States. It is the county seat of Butler County and is known as "The Gateway to the Ozarks" among other names. As of the 2000 U.S...
, Business Route 67 goes into Poplar Bluff while US 67 bypasses Poplar Bluff to the west on a freeway-grade highway. It then joins US 60 at the northwest corner of Poplar Bluff. Both 60 and 67 then follow a four-lane route to an interchange about 6 miles (9.7 km) northwest of Poplar Bluff, where US 60 heads west toward Springfield
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
while US 67 heads north to St. Louis.
Construction is complete to divide the highway through Wayne, Madison and Butler Counties, including bypasses around Greenville
Greenville, Missouri
Greenville is a small, fourth-class city located on U.S. Highway 67 near the intersection with Route D and E in Wayne County, Missouri in the United States along the St. Francis River. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the city's population was 451; a 2003 estimate, however, showed the population to be 444...
and Cherokee Pass
Cherokee Pass, Missouri
Cherokee Pass is an unincorporated community in Madison County, Missouri, United States. Cherokee Pass is located on U.S. Route 67 south of Fredericktown....
. The new divided highway opened on August 19, 2011, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Dividing the highway from the Poplar Bluff bypass south to one mile past US 160 is proposed by MoDot.
From Fredericktown, US 67 passes through Farmington
Farmington, Missouri
Farmington is a city in St. Francois County located south of St. Louis in the Lead Belt region in Missouri in the United States. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population was 16,240. It is the county seat of St. Francois County. The Farmington Micropolitan Statistical Area embraces St...
, Park Hills
Park Hills, Missouri
Park Hills is a city in St. Francois County, Missouri, United States. The population was estimated at 8,851 in 2008. It was 7,861 at the 2000 census.-History:...
, Desloge
Desloge, Missouri
Desloge is a city in St. Francois County, Missouri, United States. The estimated 2008 population was 5,190. It was 4,802 at the 2000 census.-History:...
, and Bonne Terre
Bonne Terre, Missouri
Bonne Terre is a city in St. Francois County, Missouri, United States. The population was estimated in 2008 as 6,854. It was 4,039 at the 2000 census. The community was originally settled by the French in 1720 after lead ore was discovered...
. About 25 miles (40.2 km) north of Bonne Terre, US 67 crosses Interstate 55 and enters Festus
Festus, Missouri
Festus is a city in Jefferson County, Missouri, United States. The population was 11,367 at the 2009 estimated census. Festus and its neighbor Crystal City are often collectively known as the "Twin Cities"; however, they are incorporated separately....
and Crystal City
Crystal City, Missouri
Crystal City is a city in Jefferson County, Missouri, United States. The population was 4,523 at the estimated 2009 census. It was 4,247 at the 2000 census....
and picks up US 61. This becomes known as Jeffco Boulevard from that point until it exits Jefferson County
Jefferson County, Missouri
Jefferson County is a county located in East Central Missouri in the United States. The county was included as the mean center of U.S. population in 1980. It is the sixth most-populous county in Missouri. Census 2010 put the population at 218,733 Its county seat is Hillsboro. The county was...
and enters St. Louis County
St. Louis County, Missouri
St. Louis County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. Its county seat is Clayton. St. Louis County is part of the St. Louis Metro Area wherein the independent City of St. Louis and its suburbs in St. Louis County, as well as the surrounding counties in both Missouri and Illinois all...
as Lemay Ferry Road.
St. Louis County
When US 67/61 reaches St. Louis CountySt. Louis County, Missouri
St. Louis County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. Its county seat is Clayton. St. Louis County is part of the St. Louis Metro Area wherein the independent City of St. Louis and its suburbs in St. Louis County, as well as the surrounding counties in both Missouri and Illinois all...
, It travels Lemay Ferry Road (Route 267) until it reaches Lindbergh Boulevard
Lindbergh Boulevard
Lindbergh Boulevard named after the aviator, Charles Lindbergh, is a section of U.S. Route 61 and U.S. Route 67 that extends through Missouri. Lindbergh Boulevard is home to Missouri's only traffic tunnel underneath a runway at Lambert International Airport....
. There it travels Lindbergh Boulevard (known as Kirkwood Road in Kirkwood
Kirkwood, Missouri
Kirkwood is an inner-ring suburb of St. Louis, located in St. Louis County, Missouri. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,540. Founded in 1853, the city is named for James Pugh Kirkwood, builder of the Pacific Railroad through that town. It was the first planned suburb located west...
). Us 61 then turns left onto I-64/US 40 West towards Wentzville. Lindbergh, named for aviator Charles Lindbergh
Charles Lindbergh
Charles Augustus Lindbergh was an American aviator, author, inventor, explorer, and social activist.Lindbergh, a 25-year-old U.S...
, continues north through Frontenec, Ladue, Creve Coeur, Maryland Heights, Bridgeton, Hazelwood and Florissant until it reaches Lewis & Clark Boulevard (Route 367). From there, it continues straight north to West Alton, Missouri
West Alton, Missouri
West Alton is a city in St. Charles County, Missouri, United States. The population was 573 at the 2000 census. It is located at the tip of the peninsula formed by the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.-Geography:...
and then crosses the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
on the Clark Bridge and enters Alton, Illinois
Alton, Illinois
Alton is a city on the Mississippi River in Madison County, Illinois, United States, about north of St. Louis, Missouri. The population was 27,865 at the 2010 census. It is a part of the Metro-East region of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area in Southern Illinois...
.
The only vehicular tunnel in Missouri is located on US 67 at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport
Lambert-St. Louis International Airport
Lambert-St. Louis International Airport is a Class B international airport serving Greater St. Louis. It is located approximately northwest of downtown St. Louis in unincorporated St. Louis County between Berkeley and Bridgeton. It is the largest and busiest airport in the state with 250 daily...
, where the road tunnels under the runway.
Illinois
In the state of IllinoisIllinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, U.S. 67 runs north from the Clark Bridge
Clark Bridge
The Clark Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge across the Mississippi River between West Alton, Missouri and Alton, Illinois. Named after explorer William Clark like the bridge it replaced, the cable-stayed bridge opened in 1994. It carries U.S. Route 67 across the river...
in Alton
Alton, Illinois
Alton is a city on the Mississippi River in Madison County, Illinois, United States, about north of St. Louis, Missouri. The population was 27,865 at the 2010 census. It is a part of the Metro-East region of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area in Southern Illinois...
through the Forgottonia
Forgottonia
Forgottonia is the name given to a fourteen-county region in Western Illinois in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This geographic region forms the western bulge of Illinois that is roughly equivalent to "The Tract," the Illinois portion of the Military Tract of 1812, along and west of the Fourth...
region of western Illinois. It runs near the cities of Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Illinois
Jacksonville is a city in Morgan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 18,940 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Morgan County....
, Beardstown
Beardstown, Illinois
Beardstown is a city in Cass County, Illinois, United States. The population was 6,123 at the 2010 census. The public schools are in Beardstown Community Unit School District 15.-Geography:Beardstown is located at...
, through Macomb
Macomb, Illinois
Macomb is a city in and the county seat of McDonough County, Illinois, United States. It is situated in western Illinois southwest of Galesburg. The population was 18,588 at the 2000 census. Macomb is the home of Western Illinois University.- Geography :...
, and near Monmouth
Monmouth, Illinois
Monmouth is a city in and the county seat of Warren County in the U.S. state of Illinois. It is the home of Monmouth College and contains Monmouth Park, Harmon Park, North Park, Warfield Park, West Park, South Park, Garwood Park, Buster White Park and the Citizens Lake & Campground. It is the host...
before crossing into Iowa across the Rock Island Centennial Bridge
Rock Island Centennial Bridge
The Centennial Bridge, or Rock Island Centennial Bridge, connects Rock Island, Illinois and Davenport, Iowa. The bridge is long and stands above water level. On September 4, 1988, lights were installed on the arches, which make the bridge a very scenic sight at night.Construction of the bridge...
.
Iowa
U.S. 67 enters Iowa in DavenportDavenport, Iowa
Davenport is a city located along the Mississippi River in Scott County, Iowa, United States. Davenport is the county seat of and largest city in Scott County. Davenport was founded on May 14, 1836 by Antoine LeClaire and was named for his friend, George Davenport, a colonel during the Black Hawk...
. It follows an alignment through Bettendorf
Bettendorf, Iowa
Bettendorf is a city in Scott County, Iowa, United States. Bettendorf is the fifteenth largest city in the U.S. state of Iowa and the fourth largest city in the "Quad Cities". As of the 2010 United States Census the population grew to 33,217. Bettendorf is one of the Quad Cities, along with...
and Clinton
Clinton, Iowa
Clinton is a city in and the county seat of Clinton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 26231as of 2010. Clinton, along with DeWitt, Iowa , was named in honor of the seventh governor of New York, DeWitt Clinton. Clinton is the principal city of the Clinton Micropolitan Statistical...
which parallels the Mississippi River. Near Sabula
Sabula, Iowa
Sabula is a city in Jackson County, Iowa, United States. The population was 670 at the 2000 census. Sabula is the site of Iowa's only island city. The island has a beach and a campground. It also has a harbor with boat docks and storage sheds to store some boats during the winter...
, U.S. 67 meets U.S. Route 52
U.S. Route 52
U.S. Route 52 is a United States highway that runs across the northern, eastern and southeastern regions of the United States. Contrary to most other even-numbered U.S...
and ends.
History
US 67 is one of the older US highway corridors in Madison County, MissouriMadison County, Missouri
Madison County is a county located in the Lead Belt region in Southeast Missouri in the United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the county's population was 11,800. A 2008 estimate, however, showed the population to be 12,276. Its county seat and largest city is Fredericktown...
. The northern terminus of US 67 was in Missouri under the original US highway numbering scheme of 1926, likely due to limited bridge crossings over the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. In Missouri, US 67 replaced Route 23, created in 1922 from Arkansas to Fredericktown. By 1932, with a Mississippi River crossing route determined, US 67 was extended north along Illinois Route 3
Illinois Route 3
Illinois Route 3 is a major north–south arterial state highway in southwestern Illinois. It has its southern terminus at Cairo Junction at the intersection of Interstate 57 and U.S. Route 51, and its northern terminus in Grafton at Illinois Route 100...
to Rock Island
Rock Island, Illinois
Rock Island is the county seat of Rock Island County, Illinois, United States. The population was 40,884 at the 2010 census. Located on the Mississippi River, it is one of the Quad Cities, along with neighboring Moline, East Moline, and the Iowa cities of Davenport and Bettendorf. The Quad Cities...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
.
Even though the old Clark Bridge
Old Clark Bridge
The Old Clark Bridge was a bridge that carried U.S. Route 67 across the Mississippi River between West Alton, Missouri and Alton, Illinois. It was constructed beginning in 1927, was replaced by the Clark Bridge and was demolished in 1994.- Notes :...
had been opened to traffic across the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
at Alton
Alton, Missouri
Alton is the county seat of Oregon County, Missouri, United States. The population was 668 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Alton is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land....
in 1928 , US 67 originally crossed the Mississippi River with US 66
U.S. Route 66
U.S. Route 66 was a highway within the U.S. Highway System. One of the original U.S. highways, Route 66 was established on November 11, 1926 -- with road signs erected the following year...
via the McKinley Bridge
McKinley Bridge
The McKinley Bridge is a steel truss bridge across the Mississippi River. It connects northern portions of the city of St. Louis, Missouri with Venice, Illinois. It opened in 1910 and was taken out of service on October 30, 2001. The bridge was reopened for pedestrian and bicyclists on November 17,...
from St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
to Venice. From Venice, US 67 headed north along what had been IL 3
Illinois Route 3
Illinois Route 3 is a major north–south arterial state highway in southwestern Illinois. It has its southern terminus at Cairo Junction at the intersection of Interstate 57 and U.S. Route 51, and its northern terminus in Grafton at Illinois Route 100...
via Alton to Rock Island
Rock Island, Illinois
Rock Island is the county seat of Rock Island County, Illinois, United States. The population was 40,884 at the 2010 census. Located on the Mississippi River, it is one of the Quad Cities, along with neighboring Moline, East Moline, and the Iowa cities of Davenport and Bettendorf. The Quad Cities...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. The original route of IL 3 from Alton to Jacksonville that became US 67 went through East Newbern, Jerseyville, and Carrollton.
US 67 had several routes over the years. The Illinois section was likely not included in original US highways in 1926, due to limited bridge crossings. The history of US 67 through Illinois is almost as storied as the famous highway to its east U.S. Route 66
U.S. Route 66
U.S. Route 66 was a highway within the U.S. Highway System. One of the original U.S. highways, Route 66 was established on November 11, 1926 -- with road signs erected the following year...
that follows the old Illinois Route 4
Illinois Route 4
Illinois Route 4 is a long state road that runs south from the Interstate 55 business loop around Springfield south to Illinois Route 13 just north of Murphysboro. This is a distance of .-Route description:...
.
Changes to routing
The northern terminus was at Alt. US 61 near Fredericktown, MissouriFredericktown, Missouri
Fredericktown is a city in and the county seat of Madison County, Missouri, United States, in the northeastern foothills of the Ozark Mountains. The population was 3,928 at the 2000 census...
, in 1926. The route was extended north on Illinois Route 3 (through western Illinois) to its northern terminus in Rock Island, Illinois by 1932 . Sometime after 1940, US 67 was routed into Madison County. Then, it was co-signed with Route 66 as both routes went across the McKinley Bridge.
By the mid 1940s, US 67 had been rerouted from St. Louis to Alton via the Lewis Bridge over the Missouri River and the Clark Bridge
Clark Bridge
The Clark Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge across the Mississippi River between West Alton, Missouri and Alton, Illinois. Named after explorer William Clark like the bridge it replaced, the cable-stayed bridge opened in 1994. It carries U.S. Route 67 across the river...
(formerly the Old Clark Bridge
Old Clark Bridge
The Old Clark Bridge was a bridge that carried U.S. Route 67 across the Mississippi River between West Alton, Missouri and Alton, Illinois. It was constructed beginning in 1927, was replaced by the Clark Bridge and was demolished in 1994.- Notes :...
) over the Mississippi River. The Alton to Jerseyville section now passed through Godfrey and Delhi. By the mid 1950s, a more direct route for US 67 from Godfrey to Jacksonville via Greenfield had opened. Heading north from Downtown Alton, US 67 was rerouted via an abandoned railroad grade to the north end of town.
Between Fort Bellefontaine, Missouri (near Lewis Bridge) and south of St. Louis, US 67 followed two different routes. US 67 originally followed Lewis and Clark Boulevard, Florissant Avenue, 7th Street, and Broadway south through St. Louis. US 67 Bypass followed Lindbergh Boulevard
Lindbergh Boulevard
Lindbergh Boulevard named after the aviator, Charles Lindbergh, is a section of U.S. Route 61 and U.S. Route 67 that extends through Missouri. Lindbergh Boulevard is home to Missouri's only traffic tunnel underneath a runway at Lambert International Airport....
around the city. Route 99 was an inner bypass within the city limits, following Kingshighway Boulevard and Riverview Boulevard between Route 30 (Gravois Road) and US 67 (Florissant Avenue). US 67 replaced Route 99 in the mid-1950s, using Loughborough Avenue at the south end, and the old route south of downtown became an extension of US 67 Alternate, which had begun downtown and crossed into Illinois towards Alton. (The old US 67 north of downtown was mostly US 66 City.) Later, in the late 1960s, US 67 moved to the bypass, and the old route, where not turned back to the city, became Route 267 and Route 367.
In 1962 another reroute occurred, due to the completion of a new river bridge over the Illinois River
Illinois River
The Illinois River is a principal tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately long, in the State of Illinois. The river drains a large section of central Illinois, with a drainage basin of . This river was important among Native Americans and early French traders as the principal water route...
at Beardstown. A new direct route was constructed from this bridge at Beardstown to Rushville, eliminating the earlier US-67 eastern route northeast along current IL-100 to Frederick then turning north to Rushville. A western by-pass of downtown Rushville was completed a couple of years later.
In 1964, US 67A was replaced by Route 3, as St. Louis started to get rid of highways such as 67A. A new four-lane Route 3 opened a few years later.
In 1968, US 67 was rerouted on a more western route between Jacksonville and Beardstown. The route was the existing IL-104 (Jacksonville to near Merodosia) and IL-100 (Near Merodosia to Beardstown). The original US 67 road passed through Virginia on what is now IL-78 (Jacksonville to Virginia) and then on IL-125 (Virginia to Beardstown), which follows the historic post road between Springfield and Beardstown.
Before 1994, US 67 went through Alton on Belle Street and crossed the river by the Colonial Bread store. After 1994, US 67 got a new bridge as well as a new route through Alton. In the summer of 1994, parts of the road were blown up in a span of 8 to 10 weeks. Today, planners from Godfrey and Jerseyville are talking about building a new US 67 that would take a western route along the current IL 267.
- US 67 Branches: These branches remained relevant with the locals even after they were decommissioned in 1964.
- Alt US 67: There were two Alt US 67's in Madison County. The first started south of Alton, the second, north. When US 67 was switched to the Clark Bridge sometime before the mid 1940s, The earlier route of US 67 from St. Louis to Alton became Alt US 67. In the mid 1940s, Alt US 67 was switched from the McKinley Bridge to the MacArthur BridgeMacArthur Bridge (St. Louis)The MacArthur Bridge over the Mississippi River between St. Louis, Missouri and East St. Louis, Illinois is a 647 foot long truss bridge. Construction on the bridge was begun in 1909 by the city of St. Louis to break the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis's monopoly on the area's railroad...
. By 1965, the Alt US 67 designation had been dropped and the IL 3 designation had returned to this route. The original IL 3 roadway had been replaced by new alignments in places over the years, however.
- Alt US 67: There were two Alt US 67's in Madison County. The first started south of Alton, the second, north. When US 67 was switched to the Clark Bridge sometime before the mid 1940s, The earlier route of US 67 from St. Louis to Alton became Alt US 67. In the mid 1940s, Alt US 67 was switched from the McKinley Bridge to the MacArthur Bridge
When US 67 was shifted to a more direct route north of Alton between Godfrey and Jacksonville by the mid 1950s, the old route via Jerseyville and Carrollton became Alt US 67. This designation lasted until around 1965 when the route became IL 267.
- Illinois 267Illinois Route 267Illinois Route 267 is a north–south highway in the U.S. state of Illinois. It runs from U.S. Route 67 and Illinois Route 111 in Godfrey north to Illinois Route 104 and Business Interstate 72 in Jacksonville. This is a distance of 59 miles...
: This route was once Alt US 67 from the mid 1950s to 1965 as it went from Godfrey through Jerseyville on its way to meet up with US 67 about 20 miles (32.2 km) south of Jacksonville. This route, despite being one of the most dangerous in central Illinois, has remained unchanged over the years.
In 2001, IDOT rerouted US 67 back onto the original (1940) routing (western route) north of Alton to Murrayville and IL-267 was put onto the newer alignment (eastern route) from near Murrayville through Greenfield to Medora. South of Medora to Godfrey the road retained only IL-111, a second number on this section. The rerouting was to accommodate a future "Corridor 67" expressway that will be built within the next decade or so. IDOT construction began in 2004 near Jacksonville. The new expressway is supposed to follow the corridor through White Hall, Carrollton, and Jerseyville and will eventually end in Godfrey.
From Macomb north to Monmouth, US 67 is currently a "Super Four" 65 mi/h, 4 lane highway. The Roseville Bypass was completed in 2003.
Historic termini
- When US 67 was commissioned in the original 1926 enumeration plan, it extended from Fredericktown, MissouriFredericktown, MissouriFredericktown is a city in and the county seat of Madison County, Missouri, United States, in the northeastern foothills of the Ozark Mountains. The population was 3,928 at the 2000 census...
to Dallas.
- The route was extended across West Texas to its present-day southern terminus in 1930.
- The route was extended north on Illinois Route 3 (through western Illinois) to its northern terminus in Rock IslandRock Island, IllinoisRock Island is the county seat of Rock Island County, Illinois, United States. The population was 40,884 at the 2010 census. Located on the Mississippi River, it is one of the Quad Cities, along with neighboring Moline, East Moline, and the Iowa cities of Davenport and Bettendorf. The Quad Cities...
by 1932.
- In 1934 , US 67 was extended further north to Dubuque, IowaDubuque, IowaDubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
. Between DavenportDavenport, IowaDavenport is a city located along the Mississippi River in Scott County, Iowa, United States. Davenport is the county seat of and largest city in Scott County. Davenport was founded on May 14, 1836 by Antoine LeClaire and was named for his friend, George Davenport, a colonel during the Black Hawk...
and Dubuque, it incorporated the route of U.S. Route 55U.S. Route 55U.S. Route 55 was a north–south United States highway. Despite the "5" in its route number, US 55 was never a long route. Though it was part of the original 1926 numbering plan, it was deleted within 10 years.-Route description:...
. The remainder of US 55 (to Minneapolis) was absorbed by U.S. Route 52U.S. Route 52U.S. Route 52 is a United States highway that runs across the northern, eastern and southeastern regions of the United States. Contrary to most other even-numbered U.S...
.
- The 1934 extension left the last 35 miles (56 km) of US 67, south of Dubuque, co-signed with the extended US 52. In 1967, the US 67 designation was removed from this section, ending US 67 at SabulaSabula, IowaSabula is a city in Jackson County, Iowa, United States. The population was 670 at the 2000 census. Sabula is the site of Iowa's only island city. The island has a beach and a campground. It also has a harbor with boat docks and storage sheds to store some boats during the winter...
.
See also
- U.S. Route 167U.S. Route 167U.S. Route 167 runs for 499 miles from Ash Flat, Arkansas at U.S. Route 62 to Abbeville, Louisiana at Louisiana Highway 14. It goes through the cities of Little Rock, Arkansas, Alexandria, Louisiana, and Lafayette, Louisiana....
- Bannered routes of U.S. Route 67Bannered routes of U.S. Route 67Numerous bannered routes of U.S. Route 67, all business routes, exist. One other route, formerly an alternate route in western Illinois, has since been downgraded to state Route 267.-Texas:...
- Houston Harte Expressway
External links
- US 67 Info
- Endpoints of US highways (used with permission)
- Altonweb site
- Illinois US 67 History
- IL Corridor 67 - 2006
- Centennial Bridge
- Illinois Highway Ends: US 67
- Another Mother Road(used with permission)