Missouri Route 21
Tesson Ferry Road | ||||
Route information | ||||
Maintained by MoDOT | ||||
Length: | 188 mi (303 km) | |||
Existed: | 1922 – present | |||
Major junctions | ||||
South end: |
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North end: |
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Location | ||||
Counties: | Ripley, Carter, Reynolds, Iron, Washington, Jefferson, St. Louis | |||
Highway system | ||||
Missouri Highways
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Route 21 is a highway in eastern Missouri. Its northern terminus is at Route 30 in Affton. Its southern terminus is at the Arkansas state line (where it continues as Highway 115). In the St. Louis area, it is known as Tesson Ferry Road, which was named after the 19th century proprietor of the ferry across the Meramec River.
The section through northern Jefferson County, Missouri was the site of numerous fatal traffic accidents due to the narrow road being unable to handle increased traffic from "population growth", and was referred to as "Blood Alley" and "Missouri's Most Dangerous Highway" (and was featured in an Reader's Digest article on dangerous roads). As a result, the road was rerouted and built to freeway standards. Construction to reroute the highway to just south of Hillsboro was completed on December 15, 2008 and Route 21 is currently freeway standard from Route 141 to Highway B. Plans to extend the freeway south to DeSoto have been approved, but funds are lacking to complete this part of the project.[1]
Route 21 from the Meramec River to Route B, along with Route M, make up the Jefferson County Scenic Byway.[2][3]
Major intersections
County | Location | mi | km | Destinations | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ripley | ![]() | Arkansas state line | |||
![]() | south end of Route 142 overlap | ||||
![]() | south end of US 160 overlap | ||||
Doniphan | ![]() | north end of Route 142 overlap | |||
![]() | north end of US 160 overlap | ||||
Carter | ![]() | south end of US 60 overlap | |||
![]() | north end of US 60 overlap; south end of Route 34 overlap | ||||
Reynolds | ![]() | north end of Route 34 overlap | |||
Ellington | ![]() | ||||
![]() | south end of Route 72 overlap | ||||
![]() | south end of Route 49 overlap | ||||
Iron | ![]() | north end of Route 49 overlap | |||
Arcadia | ![]() | north end of Route 72 overlap | |||
Pilot Knob | ![]() | ||||
![]() | south end of Route 32 overlap | ||||
Washington | Caledonia | ![]() | north end of Route 32 overlap | ||
Potosi | ![]() | ||||
Old Mines | ![]() | south end of Route 47 overlap | |||
![]() | north end of Route 47 overlap | ||||
Jefferson | ![]() | ||||
Hillsboro | Business 21 | south end of Route B overlap | |||
165 | 266 | ![]() | north end of Route B overlap; south end of freeway | ||
Hillsboro | 167 | 269 | ![]() | ||
169 | 272 | Hayden Road | |||
172 | 277 | Old Route 21 - Goldman | |||
175 | 282 | Old Route 21 / Schenk Road | |||
177 | 285 | ![]() ![]() | |||
180 | 290 | Old Route 21 - Shady Valley | |||
184 | 296 | Old Route 21 - Meramec Heights | Southbound exit and northbound entrance | ||
185 | 298 | ![]() | |||
St. Louis | Meramec Bottom Road | interchange; north end of freeway | |||
Concord | ![]() | I-270 exit 2 | |||
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Affton | ![]() | ||||
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi |
Hillsboro Business Spur
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Location: | Hillsboro, Jefferson County |
Business 21 follows the old alignment of Route 21 through the city of Hillsboro. It begins at the intersection of Route 21 and Highway B on the southern edge of the city, and continues north to the intersection of Route A and Old Route 21, where it ends. Business 21 is the only way one can now reach Route BB, as the rerouting of Route 21 bypasses the road.