Illinois Route 147
Encyclopedia
Illinois Route 147 is an east–west state road in southern Illinois
. It runs from Illinois Route 146
east of Vienna
(very near an interchange with Interstate 24
) to Illinois Route 145
in Glendale
. This is a distance of 12.81 miles (20.62 km).
. Illinois 147 also serves Simpson
.
to Cairo
; in 1942, this road became Illinois Route 37
. Illinois 147 then replaced what was Illinois Route 142A from McLeansboro
to Wayne City
. In 1947, Illinois 142A became Illinois Route 142
; Illinois 147 was again moved to its current Vienna-to-Glendale routing.
The Route is noted for the deplorable condition of the road surface beyond the first 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Vienna. It is often said that the route should be downgraded from a state route to a county road with a name such as "The Simpson Blacktop" as it is commonly referred to as by locals. An area of the road near its intersection with Millstone Bluff road one mile (1.6 km) east of its junction with Illinois Route 145 is noted for the high fatality rate from accidents in the area. 25 persons have died on that part of the road in the last five years according to an anonymous IDOT source, which is unusually high for such a rural area and lightly traveled road. The source also revealed that plans are in place to fix that part of the road, however no dates or timelines have been mentioned and what exactly is "wrong" with the road remains in speculation. Great care should be taken when traveling this route.
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. It runs from Illinois Route 146
Illinois Route 146
Illinois Route 146 is an east–west state highway in the U.S. state of Illinois. It serves the extreme southern region of the state, commonly called Little Egypt or the Illinois Ozarks. IL-146 is long. An east–west highway, it serves Hardin County, Pope County, Johnson County, and...
east of Vienna
Vienna, Illinois
Vienna is a city in Johnson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,434 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Johnson County, and the site of two well-known state penitentiaries. Heron Pond - Little Black Slough Nature Preserve, a National Natural Landmark, is nearby. The...
(very near an interchange with Interstate 24
Interstate 24
Interstate 24 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. It runs diagonally from Interstate 57 to Chattanooga, Tennessee, at Interstate 75....
) to Illinois Route 145
Illinois Route 145
Illinois Route 145 is a north–south state road in southern Illinois. It splits off from U.S. Route 45 near Metropolis and runs north, rejoining U.S. 45 in Harrisburg...
in Glendale
Glendale, Illinois
Glendale is an unincorporated community in Pope County, Illinois, United States. Glendale is located on Illinois Route 145 southwest of Eddyville....
. This is a distance of 12.81 miles (20.62 km).
Route description
Illinois 147 is a two-lane surface road for its entire length. It runs through central portions of Shawnee National ForestShawnee National Forest
The Shawnee National Forest, located in the Ozark and Shawnee Hills of Southern Illinois, consists of approximately 280,000 acres of federally managed lands. In descending order of land area it is located in parts of Pope, Jackson, Union, Hardin, Alexander, Saline, Gallatin, Johnson, and Massac...
. Illinois 147 also serves Simpson
Simpson, Illinois
Simpson is a village in Johnson County, Illinois, United States. The population was 54 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Simpson is located at ....
.
History
SBI Route 147 was originally the road from MarionMarion, Illinois
The city of Marion is the county seat of Williamson County, Illinois. The 2010 census counted 17,193 residents, making Marion the 25th most populated city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area, in Illinois, and the second most populous city in Southern Illinois, outside of the Metro-East, behind...
to Cairo
Cairo, Illinois
Cairo is the southernmost city in the U.S. state of Illinois. It is the county seat of Alexander County. Cairo is located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. The rivers converge at Fort Defiance State Park, an American Civil War fort that was commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant...
; in 1942, this road became Illinois Route 37
Illinois Route 37
Illinois Route 37, or Illinois 37, is a north–south route in southern Illinois. It is in length. Originally connecting Effingham to Cairo, it was a heavily-traveled highway before Interstate 57 was opened. That Interstate, which lies very close to most of Illinois 37 , supplanted it as a...
. Illinois 147 then replaced what was Illinois Route 142A from McLeansboro
McLeansboro, Illinois
McLeansboro is a city in Hamilton County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,883 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Hamilton County. Located in Southern Illinois, the town was named for Dr. William B. McLean, who donated the land for its founding...
to Wayne City
Wayne City, Illinois
Wayne City is a village in Wayne County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,089 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Wayne City is located at ....
. In 1947, Illinois 142A became Illinois Route 142
Illinois Route 142
Illinois Route 142 is a major arterial road in southeastern Illinois. It runs from near the town center of Equality at Calhoun Street, a local road, north to Illinois Route 37 and the northern terminus of Illinois Route 148 in Mount Vernon. This is a distance of .- Route description :Illinois 142...
; Illinois 147 was again moved to its current Vienna-to-Glendale routing.
The Route is noted for the deplorable condition of the road surface beyond the first 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Vienna. It is often said that the route should be downgraded from a state route to a county road with a name such as "The Simpson Blacktop" as it is commonly referred to as by locals. An area of the road near its intersection with Millstone Bluff road one mile (1.6 km) east of its junction with Illinois Route 145 is noted for the high fatality rate from accidents in the area. 25 persons have died on that part of the road in the last five years according to an anonymous IDOT source, which is unusually high for such a rural area and lightly traveled road. The source also revealed that plans are in place to fix that part of the road, however no dates or timelines have been mentioned and what exactly is "wrong" with the road remains in speculation. Great care should be taken when traveling this route.