Skokie Highway

Infobox road
marker_

state=
highway_name=Skokie Highway
name_notes=
type=
route=
alternate_name=
maint=
section=


length_mi=
length_round=
length_ref=
length_notes=
established=1931cite web |url=http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/709.html |title=Lake Forest, IL |work=Encyclopedia of Chicago |date=2005 |accessdate=2007-03-06 |author=Chicago Historical Society]
decommissioned=
direction_a=South
starting_terminus=
beltway_city=
junction=
direction_b=North
ending_terminus=
counties=Cook, Lake
cities=Skokie, Highland Park, Lake Forest, North Chicago, Gurnee
system=
previous_type=
previous_route=
next_type=
next_route=
browse=
commons=

The Skokie Highway is a major arterial highway running north of Chicago through the far northeastern portion of the U.S. state of Illinois. It runs from the intersection of Illinois Route 50 in Skokie north to the Wisconsin state line at Interstate 94 near Wadsworth. All of the Skokie Highway is marked as U.S. Route 41. It parallels the Skokie River for its entire length and is named for that river and surrounding lagoons, not the city.cite web |url=http://www.n9jig.com/41-60.html |author=Carlson, Rick |date=2007-02-07 |accessdate=2007-03-06 |title=Illinois Highways Page: Routes 41 thru 60]

Construction of the highway commenced in 1931 to provide a more convenient method of travel in Lake County, Illinois, which previously depended on Sheridan Road. [cite web|url=http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/706.html|work=Encyclopedia of Chicago|title=Lake County, IL|author=Chicago Historical Society|date=2004|accessdate=2007-07-28]

Route description

The Skokie Highway begins at the angled intersection of Cicero Avenue (Illinois Route 50) and Lincoln Avenue (U.S. 41) southeast of downtown Skokie. It then runs north to the Old Orchard Shopping Center before turning northwest slightly and merging onto the Edens Expressway (I-94). The two run together for about 4 miles (6 km) before I-94 splits west and joins the Tri-State Tollway. U.S. 41 continues north as a limited access freeway, having exits at Lake-Cook Road, Clavey Road, a subdivision, and Central Avenue/Deerfield Road. At Park Avenue East, it becomes a 4-lane divided surface road.

The Skokie Highway continues north mainly as a 4-lane divided highway, with some interchanges and some intersections with traffic signals, usually with other state highways or arterial routes into the adjoining municipalities. It closely parallels the Tri-State Tollway, which is located to the west, and was constructed after the Skokie Highway.

Portions of Skokie Highway or the local road paralleling the Edens Expressway are also known as Skokie Boulevard in Skokie and Northbrook, Skokie Road in Wilmette, and Skokie Valley Road in Highland Park.

References