Elgin Bypass
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| Elgin Bypass |
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| Length: | 5 miles (8 km) |
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| Formed: | 1962[1] |
| Direction: | East-west |
| From: | Weld Road in Elgin |
| To: | Villa Road in Elgin |
| Major cities: | Elgin |
| System: | United States Numbered Highways |
The Elgin Bypass is the common name for a four-lane freeway that carries U.S. Highway 20 around the city of Elgin in northeast Illinois. The highway forms a southern border to the Elgin street grid. The State ownership of the land on the South edge of town for hospital and highway maintenance purposes eased the right-of-way acquisition. The highway runs about 5 miles (8 km).
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[edit] Route description
The bypass is not Interstate-standard, having narrower shoulders and shorter exit ramps than other Interstate Highways in the state of Illinois. It is expected that the eastern portion of the bypass will at some point transition into the Elgin-O'Hare Expressway, though how it will transition has not yet been determined.
[edit] History
Prior to construction of the Elgin Bypass in 1962, traffic on U.S. 20 was forced downtown on Villa Avenue to the east, and Larkin Avenue to the west. In the downtown area, U.S. 20 crossed the Fox River on Chicago and Highland Avenues. The areas along those roads are historic in nature, with some neighborhoods exceeding one hundred years in age.
The segment of the Elgin Bypass between McLean Boulevard and Grace Street (Illinois Route 25), including the Fox River bridge, was opened first. Later, the outer segments of the bypass — to Randall Road on the west, and Bluff City Boulevard on the east — were opened. On November 30, 1962, Governor Otto Kerner dedicated the Elgin Bypass.
From 1962 until 1984, the old route was designated Business U.S. 20.[2]
[edit] Exit list
Exits on the Elgin Bypass are not numbered. This table is incomplete. From west to east, starting west of the Fox River:
| County | Location | Mile | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kane | Elgin | Randall Road | Western terminus of Elgin Bypass 1/2 mile (0.7 km) west at Weld Road/Longcommon Parkway. | |
| Larkin Avenue | Eastbound exit (left-side ramp), westbound entrance. | |||
| McLean Boulevard | ||||
 Illinois Route 31 - State Street - South Elgin |
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| Fox River | ||||
 Illinois Route 25 - Liberty Street, Grace Street |
Eastbound, there is one exit to IL-25 25 in Grace Street, terminating at Bluff City Blvd. Traffic then travels two blocks east on Bluff City to southbound IL-25 (St. Charles St), and one block further to northbound IL-25 (S Liberty St). There are two eastbound entrance ramps from Bluff City Blvd, one in Grace St, the other 5 blocks east in Lavoie Ave.
Westbound, there are separate exits for northbound and southbound IL-25. Northbound traffic exits at a ramp in Illinois Ave, then proceeds one block west on Dwight St to northbound IL-25 (S Liberty St). Southbound traffic exits into Grace St, then turns back east one block on Dwight St to St. Charles St, then one block south to IL-25 at Bluff City Blvd. There is one entrance ramp westbound, in Grace St, with access via Dwight St. |
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| Cook | Villa Avenue | Westbound exit, eastbound entrance, both left-side rather than right-side. Eastern terminus of Elgin Bypass at Bluff City Boulevard/Shales Parkway. | ||
[edit] References
- ^ "Elgin Byplass Dedicated by Gov. Kerner", Chicago Tribune, 1962-12-01, p. 10.
- ^ Carlson, Rick. Illinois State Highways Page: Routes 1 thru 20. Latest version as of March 15, 2006. Retrieved September 18, 2006.
