Festus Live Cam

Interstate 55 (I-55) is a major highway in the United States that spans from Louisiana to Illinois, passing through several states, including Missouri. In Missouri, I-55 stretches approximately 210 miles from the Arkansas state line near Steele in the south to the Illinois state line near St. Louis in the north. The highway serves as a vital transportation corridor, connecting various cities and towns along its route.

The history of I-55 in Missouri dates back to the mid-20th century when the Interstate Highway System was initiated. The construction of I-55 began in the late 1950s, and the first section to open in Missouri was between Festus and Herculaneum in 1958. Over the following years, additional segments of the highway were constructed and opened to traffic.

One of the notable aspects of I-55 in Missouri is its association with the historic Route 66. In the past, Route 66 served as a primary east-west highway connecting Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California. As the Interstate Highway System developed, I-55 absorbed portions of the original Route 66 in Missouri, Illinois, and other states. Today, some sections of I-55 in Missouri run along the former alignment of Route 66, preserving the legacy of the iconic "Mother Road."