Martin Luther King Jr. Bridge
1957-1968
The Martin Luther King Jr. Bridge is a river crossing between St. Louis, Missouri and East St. Louis, Illinois. This was the river crossing of U.S. 66 from 1957-1968. Th path follows Interstate 55 from Hamel, south to Illinois 159 in Collinsville. At Collinsville it follows Illinois 159 south to Belt Line Road. It then heads west along Belt Line to Illinois 157/Bluff Road. A slight jog down Illinois 157 to Collinsville Road. On Collinsville Road, U.S. 66 passes through the Cahokia Mounds State Historical Site. As U.S. 66 enters East St. Louis, it runs south on 9th Street to Martin Luther King Drive. This is thr road U.S. 66 took to the bridge. As the United States interstate system was being constructed, U.S. 66 start to join Interstate 55 as it was built. This was the last alignment before U.S. 66 was routed on to I-55. It joined I-55 in parts as the interstate was built.
View MLK Bridge 1957-1968 in a larger map
Northern Madison County
In Northern Madison County the segments of U.S. 66 listed in the Springfield to Staunton section rejoin. This includes the one that follows Illinois 4 from Springfield, via Carlinville. The path that follows Interstate 55, via Litchfield. Plus, the path that goes through Livingston. All three paths join with Illinois 4, north of the mile 33 interchange on Interstate 55. U.S. 66 turns from Illinois 4 and joins the west Frontage Road at the interchange with Interstate 55 and Illinois 4.
SB U.S. 66/IL 4 north of I-55.
A marker showing the turn of U.S. 66 from IL 4.
Shortly after making a right turn from IL 4, U.S. 66 makes a left for the Frontage Road from Worden Road.
Hamel
North Hamel, you'll see the neon cross on St. Paul's Lutheran Church. In Hamel, U.S. Rt. 66 follows Illinois State Route 157.
St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
The welcome sign on NB U.S. Rt. 66.
The welcome sign at Hamel.
A 66 monument in Hamel.
A mural in Hamel.
Troy
U.S. 66 runs along Interstate 55/70 through Troy. At the Troy exit (Illinois 162) there are several places to stop and eat.
Collinsville
U.S. 66 leaves Interstate 55 at Illinois 159. It loops around the interchange to head south on Illinois 159. Once on Illinois 159 it goes south to Belt Line Road. Belt Line Road has a variety of shops and restaurants. It follows Belt Line to Illinois 157/Bluff Road/
NB U.S. 66 at I-55/70.
NB U.S. 66 on Belt Line Road west of IL 159.
NB U.S. 66 on Belt Line Road east of IL 157.
Fairmont City
Along Collinsville Road, U.S. 66 passes through Fairmont City. As it enters the city, it passes through Cahokia Mounds State Historical Site. This once was the population center of the Cahokia Tribe.
East St. Louis
Once in East St. Louis, U.S. 66 heads south on 9th Street. This joins the path of the 1929-1937 route briefly. Once U.S. 66 reaches Martin Luther King Drive it heads west toward the State of Missouri.
SB U.S. 66 west of IL 203.
SB U.S. 66 near the MLK Bridge.
SB U.S. 66 at the MLK Bridge.