Illinois Route 6

Infobox Illinois state route
article_route = 6
prev_type = US
prev_route = 6
next_route = 7
length_mi = 10.11
length_round = 2
length_ref = cite web |author=Illinois Technology Transfer Center |url=http://www.dot.state.il.us/gist2/select.html |title=T2 GIS Data |accessdate=2007-11-08 |date=2006]
direction_b = North
direction_a=South
established = After 1971cite web |author=Carlson, Rick. |url=http://www.n9jig.com/1-20.html |title=Illinois State Highways Page: Routes 1 thru 20 |date=2006-03-15 |accessdate=2006-03-24.]
starting_terminus =
ending_terminus =
cities = Peoria
counties = Peoria

Illinois Route 6 is a 4-lane freeway in central Illinois. It begins as a northern extension of Interstate 474 at Interstate 74 west of Peoria, and ends at Illinois Route 29 in Mossville, south of Chillicothe. The freeway currently has a total length of 10.11 miles (16.27 km), including the connector ramp to Illinois 29.

Route description

Although fairly short, Illinois 6 draws more traffic than a rural highway because it passes through the developing north and northwest edge of Peoria. A one-mile stretch of road around the U.S. Route 150 (War Memorial Drive) exit has become a major commercial development area that now includes a major mall and a nearby strip mall with over 30 movie screens between them. In addition, new development is occurring rapidly around the other interchanges of Allen Road, Illinois Route 40 (Knoxville Avenue), and Illinois 29.

Plans have been considered to either extend Illinois 6 into a loop by building a bridge over the Illinois River and running the highway south to Interstates 74 and 474 near Interstate 155 in Morton, or to build north or northeast from the current terminus to make Illinois 6 part of an often-proposed Peoria-to-Chicago Highway. As of late 2004, only the Illinois 6 extension to Illinois Route 29 in Chillicothe itself is being considered. Preliminary engineering (phase 1) is taking place, which involves determining the exact placement of the highway extension.

Exit list

References