Elgin Bypass
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
|
| Elgin Bypass |
|
| Length: | 5 miles (8 km) |
|---|---|
| Formed: | 1962[1] |
| Direction: | East-west |
| From: | Weld Road in Elgin, Illinois |
| To: | Villa Road in Elgin, Illinois |
| Major cities: | Elgin |
| System: | United States Numbered Highways |
The Elgin Bypass is the common name for a four-lane freeway that carries U.S. Highway 20 around the city of Elgin in northeast Illinois. The highway forms a southern border to the Elgin street grid. The State ownership of the land on the South edge of town for hospital and highway maintenance purposes eased the right-of-way acquisition. The highway runs about 5 miles (8 km).
Contents |
[edit] Route description
The bypass is not Interstate-standard, having narrower shoulders and shorter exit ramps than other Interstate Highways in the state of Illinois. It is expected that the eastern portion of the bypass will at some point transition into the Elgin-O'Hare Expressway, though how it will transition has not yet been determined.
[edit] History
Prior to construction of the Elgin Bypass in 1962, traffic on U.S. 20 was forced downtown on Villa Avenue to the east, and Larkin Avenue to the west. In the downtown area, U.S. 20 crossed the Fox River on Chicago and Highland Avenues. The areas along those roads are historic in nature, with some neighborhoods exceeding one hundred years in age.
The segment of the Elgin Bypass between McLean Boulevard and Grace Street (Illinois Route 25), including the Fox River bridge, was opened first. Later, the outer segments of the bypass — to Randall Road on the west, and Bluff City Boulevard on the east — were opened. On November 30, 1962, Governor Otto Kerner dedicated the Elgin Bypass.
From 1962 until 1984, the old route was designated Business U.S. 20.[2]
[edit] Exit list
Exits on the Elgin Bypass are not numbered. This table is incomplete. From west to east, starting west of the Fox River:
| Mile | Destinations | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highways and/or Control Cities | Municipality | ||
| Randall Road | Elgin, Illinois | Western terminus of Elgin Bypass 1/2 mile (0.7 km) west at Weld Road. | |
| Larkin Avenue | Eastbound exit, westbound entrance. | ||
| McLean Boulevard | |||
 Illinois Route 31 - State Street - South Elgin |
|||
| Fox River | |||
 Illinois Route 25 - Liberty Street, Grace Street |
Elgin, Illinois | Exits to Illinois 25 north and south separately westbound; one exit to Illinois 25 eastbound. Entrance and exit ramps are displaced from actual routing of Illinois 25 by one to two blocks. In addition, Illinois 25 shifts east one block traveling northbound at U.S. 20. | |
| Villa Avenue | Westbound exit, eastbound entrance. Eastern terminus of Elgin Bypass at Bluff City Boulevard. | ||
[edit] References
- ^ "Elgin Byplass Dedicated by Gov. Kerner", Chicago Tribune, 1962-12-01, p. 10.
- ^ Carlson, Rick. Illinois State Highways Page: Routes 1 thru 20. Latest version as of March 15, 2006. Retrieved September 18, 2006.
