Illinois Route 57

Illinois Route 57 is a north–south state highway in western Illinois. It runs from Interstate 172 in Fall Creek to U.S. Route 24 and IL 104 in Quincy, a distance of.

Route description

IL 57 begins at a partial cloverleaf interchange with I-172, where it heads generally northwest for several miles, passing the communities of Bluff Hall and Marblehead. After an intersection with 24th Street, IL 57 curves slightly north, where it turns into Gardner Expressway, passing numerous industries and small businesses, before passing a large underground storage complex. The highway becomes highly industrialized, turning into a four-lane divided expressway for over a mile. The highway turns slightly to the east at Jefferson Street, taking on the 3rd Street designation, and straightens out. Once inside Quincy proper, IL 57 becomes a four-lane arterial for a third of a mile before splitting into two legs. The northbound leg follows York Street eastward for one block, turns north onto 4th Street, and terminates at US 24 just two blocks later, while the southbound leg starts at IL 104/US 24 and follows 3rd Street. IL 57 is an undivided, rural two-lane road for most of its length.

History

SBI Route 57 was the current US 41 and IL 50 from Highland Park to Chicago. In 1949 it was moved to Hull to Quincy, following much of the same alignment it does today. As late as 1962, it was moved from its original alignment following 8th Street, Jackson Street, and 12th Street to its current alignment following Gardner Expressway and 3rd Street. In 1999 it was shortened to its current length after I-172 was completed.