Skokie Highway
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
|
| Skokie Highway |
|
| Formed: | 1931[1] |
|---|---|
| South end: |   US 41/ILL 50 in Skokie |
| North end: |  I-94/US 41 in Wadsworth |
| Counties: | Cook, Lake |
| Major cities: | Skokie, Highland Park, Lake Forest, North Chicago, Gurnee |
The Skokie Highway is a major arterial highway running north of Chicago through the far northeastern portion of the U.S. state of Illinois. It runs from the intersection of Illinois Route 50 in Skokie north to the Wisconsin state line at Interstate 94 near Wadsworth. All of the Skokie Highway is marked as U.S. Route 41. It parallels the Skokie River for its entire length and is named for that river and surrounding lagoons, not the city.[2]
Construction of the highway commenced in 1931 to provide a more convenient method of travel in Lake County, Illinois, which previously depended on Sheridan Road.[3]
[edit] Route description
The Skokie Highway begins at the angled intersection of Cicero Avenue (Illinois Route 50) and Lincoln Avenue (U.S. 41) southeast of downtown Skokie. It then runs north to the Old Orchard Shopping Center before turning northwest slightly and merging onto the Edens Expressway (I-94). The two run together for about 4 miles (6 km) before I-94 splits west and joins the Tri-State Tollway. U.S. 41 continues north as a limited access freeway, having exits at Lake-Cook Road, Clavey Road, a subdivision, and Central Avenue/Deerfield Road. At Park Avenue East, it becomes a 4-lane divided surface road.
The Skokie Highway continues north mainly as a 4-lane divided highway, with some interchanges and some intersections with traffic signals, usually with other state highways or arterial routes into the adjoining municipalities. It closely parallels the Tri-State Tollway, which is located to the west, and was constructed after the Skokie Highway.
Portions of Skokie Highway or the local road paralleling the Edens Expressway are also known as Skokie Boulevard in Skokie and Northbrook, Skokie Road in Wilmette, and Skokie Valley Road in Highland Park.
[edit] References
- ^ Chicago Historical Society (2005). Lake Forest, IL. Encyclopedia of Chicago. Retrieved on 2007-03-06.
- ^ Carlson, Rick (2007-02-07). Illinois Highways Page: Routes 41 thru 60. Retrieved on 2007-03-06.
- ^ Chicago Historical Society (2004). Lake County, IL. Encyclopedia of Chicago. Retrieved on 2007-07-28.
