This Sad, Abandoned Stretch of Route 66 Still Exists in Illinois

Route 66 is an American icon for good reason. One of the original highways established all the way back in 1926, it runs through Chicago, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. While officially removed from the U.S. Highway System in 1985, stretches still exist in the aforementioned states.

However, that also means several abandoned stretches of the iconic roadway still exist too. One of the most "famous" abandoned stretches, you could call it, actually still sits in a small suburban/city enclave in the state of Illinois. I grew up not too far from it, and know the sounds of the area well.

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I mention sounds because the stretch, located in McCook, IL, is right near a rock quarry. No matter what time of day you travel through or near the area, there always seems to be the clanking and rumbling of heavy machinery. While much of the former road is drivable, this section isn't, and is actively decaying as Mother Nature appears to be reclaiming the land for herself.

The stretch of closed road is between 55th Street and East Avenue, where Joliet Road now exists. According to the website Forgotten Lands, Places and Transit (FRRANDP), it was in 1998 that IDOT was forced to close the road after significant cracks began developing on the pavement. This moved prompted traffic to detour onto nearby arterial streets.

The cracks in the pavement were the result of land excavation and mining from Vulcan Materials Company, who owned the land on which the road existed. The prolonged abuse to the pavement led to rough road conditions. Why not just rebuild the road? According to FRRANDP, the cost of rebuilding that stretch would have been approximately $45 million and may not have even fixed the problem.

Instead, IDOT funneled money into upgrades for 55th Street and East Avenue as a permanent detour away from the deteriorating road conditions of the Route 66 stretch.

The road still exists, although it's a sore for sight eyes (not a typo). Weeds, trees, shrubs, and other plants have encroached on the rapidly decaying concrete, while Vulcan's mine is still fully operational on both sides. The company paid a $12 million settlement after a 12+ year legal battle with the state, but did not admit fault in the road's closure, per FRRANDP.

Having driven through this area several times, the "new" route is seamless to the point that you probably wouldn't even notice the expired stretch of Route 66 if you weren't in the know/looking for it. The traffic lights are well-timed, and as long as you can avoid the trucks and massive rigs going in-and-out of the quarry so frequently, you'll be all right.

Read more about the abandoned stretch of Route 66 in McCook, IL on Forgotten Lands, Places and Transit's website. You can also see a video of the road on Facebook.