Interstate 180 (Illinois)

Interstate 180 (I-180) is a north–south spur highway that runs from Princeton, Illinois, to the small town of Hennepin, Illinois, at its southern terminus. It is 13.19 miles (21.23 km) long.[3]

Interstate 180
I-180 highlighted in red
Route information
Auxiliary route of I-80
Maintained by IDOT
Length13.19 mi[1] (21.23 km)
Existed1967–present
HistoryCompleted in 1969[2]
Major junctions
South end IL 26 / IL 71 in Hennepin
Major intersections US 6 in Princeton
North end I-80 in Princeton
Location
CountryUnited States
StateIllinois
CountiesPutnam, Bureau
Highway system
← IL 179→ IL 180

Route description

Interstate 180 begins as a continuation of Illinois Route 71 (IL 71) at a diamond interchange with Illinois Route 26 (IL 26) northeast of Hennepin. The interchange is located adjacent to a former steel mill that was most recently operated by ArcelorMittal but closed in 2009 and demolished in 2017.[4] The freeway travels northwest, carrying I-180 and IL 26 in a concurrency, and crosses the Illinois River on the north side of Hennepin to enter Bureau County.[1]

On the west side of the river, IL 26 separates from I-180 and the freeway crosses over IL 29 before splitting at a Y-interchange. I-180 turns north, intersecting an expressway that connects to IL 29, and travels northeast across Big Bureau Creek to intersect IL 26. The freeway intersects U.S. Route 6 (US 6) east of Princeton and continues due north to its terminus, a trumpet interchange with I-80. I-180 has four lanes for its entire length.[1]

History
See also: Peoria-to-Chicago Highway

Construction of I-180 was completed in 1969.[2] The freeway was built primarily to connect I-80 to a new Jones & Laughlin steel plant built in 1965 in Hennepin.[5] However, the steel plant closed soon after I-180 was built and did not re-open until August 2002. Federal auditors criticized its construction and called it a political favor that was put ahead of requests from Tucson, Arizona, and Tacoma, Washington.[6]

I-180 is one of the least traveled Interstates in the nation, serving 1,950–3,600 vehicles per day as of 2013.[7]

Exit list
CountyLocationmikmExitDestinationsNotes
PutnamHennepin0.000.0014 IL 26 – Hennepin, Lacon
IL 71 east		Southern end of IL 26 concurrency; roadway continues as IL 71
Illinois River1.01.6Gudmund "Sonny" Jessen Bridge
BureauBureau Junction2.54.012 IL 26 north – Bureau JunctionNorthern end of IL 26 concurrency; northbound exit and southbound entrance
3.55.6—
 To IL 29 south – Peoria		Access via unnamed connector expressway
8.012.97 IL 26 – Princeton
Princeton12.019.33 US 6 – Princeton, Spring Valley
13.221.2— I-80 – Davenport, JolietNorthern terminus; I-80 exit 61
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

References
  1. Google (September 29, 2019). "Interstate 180" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  2. Scott, Tony (December 21, 2006). "Strong opinions on Prairie Parkway plans". Oswego Ledger-Sentinel. Archived from the original on December 28, 2010. Retrieved February 15, 2008.
  3. Price, Jeff (May 6, 2019). "Table 2: Auxiliary Routes of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways as of December 31, 2018". Route Log and Finder List. Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  4. Smith, Gary L. (April 19, 2017). "Shuttered Hennepin steel mill being demolished". Journal Star. Peoria, Illinois. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  5. "Boom Town 1965". Time. July 9, 1965. Archived from the original on January 27, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  6. Polk, James R. (August 4, 1970). "Federal Auditors Criticize a $40-Million Interstate Highway Spur to Illinois Steel Plant". Capital Journal. p. 26. Retrieved July 10, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. Illinois Department of Transportation (2013). "T2 GIS Data". Archived from the original on March 2, 2016. Retrieved February 24, 2016.

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