Illinois Route 6
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Route information | ||||
| Maintained by Illinois DOT | ||||
| Length: | 10.11 mi[1] (16.27 km) | |||
| Existed: | After 1971[2] – present | |||
| Major junctions | ||||
| South end: |
  I-74 / I-474 in Peoria | |||
 US 150 in Peoria | ||||
| North end: |
 IL 29 in Mossville | |||
| Highway system | ||||
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Illinois Route 6 is a 4-lane freeway entirely in Peoria County in central Illinois. It begins as a northern extension of Interstate 474 at Interstate 74 west of Peoria, and ends at Illinois Route 29 in Mossville, south of Chillicothe. The freeway currently has a total length of 10.11 miles (16.27 km), including the connector ramp to Illinois 29.[1]
Route description
Although fairly short, Illinois 6 draws more traffic than a rural highway because it passes through the developing north and northwest edge of Peoria. A one-mile (1.6 km) stretch of road around the U.S. Route 150 (War Memorial Drive) exit has become a major commercial development area that now includes a major mall and a nearby strip mall with over 30 movie screens between them. In addition, new development is occurring rapidly around the other interchanges of Allen Road (old Illinois Route 174), Knoxville Avenue (Illinois Route 40), and Illinois Route 29.
Future
Several plans have been considered for continuing the Illinois 6 corridor. One is extending Illinois 6 into a loop by building a bridge over the Illinois River and running the highway south to Interstates 74 and 474 near Interstate 155 in Morton. Another is to build north or northeast from the current terminus to a new interchange in Chillicothe, connecting with a proposed Illinois 29 expressway that would connect to Interstate 180.
In 2013, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn proposed a $12.3 billion road plan that earmarked funds for engineering work and corridor studies, renewing interest in the connecting Route 6 with I-74.[3]
Exit list
The entire route is in Peoria, Peoria County.
| mi[1] | km | Exit[4] | Destinations | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I-474 east – Indianapolis | Continuation beyond I-74 | ||||
| 0.00 | 0.00 | I-74 – Galesburg, Peoria | Southbound exit and northbound entrance; signed as exits A (east) and B (west) | ||
| 2.32 | 3.73 | 2 | US 150 (War Memorial Drive) – Kickapoo | ||
| 5.51 | 8.87 | 5 | Allen Road | ||
| 6.54 | 10.53 | 6 |  IL 40 (Knoxville Avenue) – Bradford | ||
| 9.18 | 14.77 | 9 | IL 29 – Chillicothe | Northbound exit and southbound entrance | |
| 1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi | |||||
References
Route map: Bing
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Illinois Technology Transfer Center (2006). "T2 GIS Data". Retrieved 2007-11-08.
- ↑ Carlson, Rick. (2006-03-15). "Illinois State Highways Page: Routes 1 thru 20". Retrieved 2006-03-24..
- ↑ Kaergard, Chris (April 18, 2013). "Quinn's $12.6B road plan includes rebuilding McClugage Bridge". PJStar.com (Peoria, Illinois: GateHouse Media). Retrieved 2015-04-30.
- ↑ Sarjeant, Charles (2006-10-05). "Illinois Highway Ends: Illinois Route 6". Retrieved 2006-10-28.
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