Illinois Route 159
Template:Infobox Illinois state route
Illinois Route 159 is a north-south state road in southwestern Illinois. Its southern terminus is at Illinois Route 3 and Illinois Route 154 in Red Bud and its northern terminus at Illinois Route 16 in Royal Lakes. This is a distance of 63 miles (101 km).[1]
Route description
Illinois 159 is a major north-south artery through the eastern portion of the metropolitan St. Louis, Missouri area. Illinois 159 is multiplexed with Illinois Route 157 and Illinois Route 143 in Edwardsville.
As of July 2006, a construction project is in progress to widen Illinois 159 from Fairview Heights to Edwardsville to 5 lanes. Most current congestion is due to the St. Clair Square Mall and surrounding businesses. Future plans may call for additional widening between Interstate 64 and Illinois Route 161 in the Belleville area.
History
SBI Route 159 ran from Red Bud to Alton. In 1964, the Edwardsville to Alton segment was changed to Illinois Route 143, and Illinois 159 was run north through Edwardsville to Royal Lakes, replacing Illinois Route 112. In 2003 Illinois 159 was rerouted through Edwardsville.
An Alternate Illinois Route 159 was proposed by Edwardsville on the old Illinois 159 alignment, but was never implemented.[2]
Communities
Several Illinois communities are located along Route 159. From South to North they are: