Before I-270 was built in Illinois, the section from Edwardsville to
the Mississippi River was known as Chain of Rocks Road and had the US Route
66 designation.
In 1964, the first section over railroad tracks in Mitchell (between Route
203 and Old Alton Road) was completed. The section between Old Alton Road
and the Canal Bridge came shortly thereafter. In the next two years,
the section of highway east of 203 slowly opened.
When the new Chain of Rocks Bridge opened in September 1966, it marked the change
of an era. Traffic no longer had to deal with the 23 degree kink in
the middle of the old bridge. In addition, the opening of the new bridge
marked the completion of the original route of 270. By February 1970, the
old Chain of Rocks Bridge was closed to traffic.
Very little has change in nearly 40 years. Other than the occasional
construction project, the construction of 255, and widening from Route 111
to Route 157 in the mid 1980s, the highway remains at 4 lanes and may this
not change for several years.
The contents of this section
Detailed history page. Coming very soon. The worst dates. What dates that you
really didn't miss being on this section of 270.
The best dates. What you really missed happened on these dates. Fun facts. Stuff that you really don't know
but its true. Photo gallery. Useless stuff unless you
need a sneak preview before you venture out there. Junction list.
Useful list of all the junctions in Illinois to help you plan your
next trip.
Before I-270 was built in Illinois, the section from Edwardsville to
the Mississippi River was known as Chain of Rocks Road and had the US Route
66 designation.