Tennessee State Route 57

Infobox road
state=TN
type=Dual
route=57
alternate_name=
maint=TDOT


length_mi=
length_round=
length_ref=
established=
direction_a=West
starting_terminus=jct|state=TN|TN|14 in Memphis
direction_b=East
ending_terminus=jct|state=MS|MS|25 at Tennessee-Mississippi border
counties=Shelby, Fayette, Hardeman, McNairy, Hardin
cities=Memphis, Germantown, Collierville, Piperton, Rossville, Moscow, LaGrange, Grand Junction, Saulsbury, Middleton, Pocahontas, Ramer, Michie, Counce
previous_type=Dual
previous_route=56
next_type=US
next_route=58

Tennessee State Route 57 is an east-west highway that runs from Memphis to the Mississippi state line near Pickwick Dam and Pickwick Landing State Park. Except for in Shelby County, SR 57 is a two lane road generally with a 55 MPH speed limit. The majority of the road follows the path of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad (now part of the Norfolk Southern Railway). [ [http://www.tdot.state.tn.us//Maps/front.pdf 2008 Official Tennessee State Transportation Map] ]

Shelby County

SR 57 starts out in Memphis by going south on Trezevant Street from State Route 14 (Jackson Avenue). Trezevant St. turns into East Parkway and follows U.S. 70/U.S. 79/U.S. 64 and State Route 277. SR 57 then turns east and follows U.S. 72 along Poplar Avenue, where it starts to follow the Norfolk Southern Railway to the north. Poplar Avenue has an interchange with Interstate 240 in East Memphis and soon enters Germantown, where it is briefly overlapped with State Route 177. As the road enters Collierville, it becomes know as West Poplar Avenue (instead of Poplar Avenue). State Route 175 (Byhalia Road) has its eastern terminus at SR 57. Just east of that intersection U.S. 72 diverges from SR 57 by going southeast into Mississippi, while SR 57 continues east along West Poplar Ave. SR 57 becomes a two-lane road but remains at a 40 MPH speed until it exits Collierville. East of the Collierville town square, State Route 205 (Collierville-Arlington Road) has its southern terminus at SR 57.

Poplar Avenue is a major thoroughfare through Shelby County and has much commercial development along its route. In the city of Memphis, the road is locally known for its narrow lanes of traffic and hazardous storm grates along it's edges. The many freight trains that run along the side of it cause several traffic delays throughout the day.

Fayette County

When State Route 57 enters Fayette County, the speed limit increases to 55 MPH and except for when the road passes through a town, it remains at this speed until it ends in Mississippi. Just outside of Collierville, SR 57 has an interchange with State Route 385 (Future Interstate 269). In the city of Piperton, SR 57 intersects with State Route 196 and crosses over the Norfolk Southern Railway. A few miles down the road, it passes through Rossville and is the southern terminus for State Route 194. SR 57 passes over the Wolf River and passes through Moscow. The southern terminus of State Route 76 occurs in Moscow. Several miles down the road from here, SR 57 passes through LaGrange. Motorists can view several of the town's historic buildings from the road. East of LaGrange, SR 57 turns left along State Route 18, passes over the Norfolk Southern Railway again, and then continues east.

Hardeman County

After spliting from SR 18, State Route 57 enters Hardeman County and also enters Grand Junction. It is home to the National Bird Dog Museum, which is visible from the road. SR 57 crosses over the Mississippi Central Railroad and junctions with State Route 368. Several miles east is the town of Saulsbury, Tennessee. East of Saulsbury, SR 57 passes over the Norfolk Southern Railway for a third time, and continues east to Middleton. Here, it intersects with State Route 125 and crosses the Mississippi Tennessee Railroad. East of Middleton, SR 57 goes through the town of Pocahontas, where it passes over the Norfolk Southern Railway for the fourth and final time. The railroad continues southeast into Mississippi while SR 57 continues east. It also passes over the Hatchie River around Pocahontas.

McNairy County

State Route 57 enters McNairy County and passes north of Big Hill Pond State Park. SR 57 passes through Ramer, where it is the northern terminus of State Route 234. It also crosses over the West Tennessee Railroad (also owned by Norfolk Southern Railway). SR 57 continues east and crosses U.S. Highway 45 near the town of Eastview. after crossing U.S. 45, SR 57 goes north of the town of Michie and intersects with State Route 224. East of Michie, the road junctions with State Route 22, which is the most direct route to Shiloh National Military Park.

Hardin County

State Route 57 passes into Hardin County and intersects with State Route 142 west of the town of Counce. When SR 57 enters the town of Counce, it crosses a railroad spur of the Kansas City Southern Railway. East of the town, the road intersects with State Route 128 in Pickwick Village. SR 128 goes north over Pickwick Dam, and SR 57 turns right and heads south toward Pickwick Landing State Park. SR 57 continues south along Pickwick Lake for approximately 5 miles until it crosses into Mississippi and becomes Mississippi Highway 25.

References