Interstate 72
Interstate 72 is an interstate highway in the midwestern United States. Its western terminus is in Hannibal, Missouri at an intersection with U.S. Highway 61; its eastern terminus is at Interstate 57 in Champaign, Illinois. Length
Major Cities Along the Route Hannibal, MissouriSpringfield, IllinoisDecatur, IllinoisChampaign, Illinois
Intersections with other InterstatesInterstate 55 in Springfield, Illinois (multiplex 6 miles)Interstate 57 in Champaign, Illinois
Noteable Bridges Along the RouteValley City Eagle Bridges (Valley City, Illinois) - 2 2-lane bridges (one bridge each direction) over the Illinois RiverMark Twain Memorial Bridge (Hannibal, Missouri) - 1 4-lane bridge (2 lanes each direction) over the Mississippi River, river bottoms, and the Sny Levee.
Spur RoutesSpur into Quincy, Illinois, I-172
NotesThe concept of I-72 across Missouri was to create the Kansas City - Chicago Expressway, a rural 4-lane route between Kansas City, Missouri and Chicago, Illinois. This would reduce the amount of through traffic in the St. Louis, Des Moines, and Quad Cities metropolitan areas. - The first (and only) exit west of the Mississippi River in Hannibal, Missouri is Exit 157 (MO 79). Based on this mile marker, the future western terminus of I-72 would be at Cameron, Missouri at the intersection with I-35.
- I-72 continues west of Hannibal, Missouri as US 36. In 2004, US 36 was upgraded to a 4-lane expressway between US 61 and US 24 (7 miles). Also, an interchange with MO 15 was installed in Shelbina, Missouri. Four miles east of Macon, Missouri, US 36 resumes 4-lane expressway status to just east of New Cambria, Missouri. At the Linn County, Missouri line, US 36 is now 4-lane (completed in 2004) the rest of the way into St. Joseph, Missouri.
- Many highway mavens want to extend I-72 westward across Missouri and Kansas into Colorado. This would create an alternate route to Interstates 70 and 80. In addition, it would relieve traffic congestion on I-70 between Denver and St. Louis, and it would help relieve the traffic on I-80 between Omaha and Chicago, too.
- Likewise, an eastward extension is also envisioned for I-72. It would go across Indiana (multiplexing with Interstate 74 for some time), loop around Columbus, Ohio and end in Pittsburgh.
- In August 1957, Caltrans proposed I-72 for what is now I-580, but AASHO denied the request. The number I-5W was eventually approved on November 10, 1958.http://nwindianahwys.homestead.com/CALI.html"" class="external">class="external">[1
Reference - 2005 Rand McNally "The Road Atlas 2005" - newest feature- interstate mileage by state
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