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Today in Interstate History

September 1, 1964

The section of I-55 in the vicinity of Chicago, Illinois, was opened to traffic. That segment of the Interstate route was originally called the Southwest Expressway. Exactly one year after its debut, however, that segment would be officially renamed the Adlai E. Stevenson Expressway after the renowned Illinois statesman. The entire length of I-55 stretches from the Windy City to Laplace, Louisiana. The portion connecting Chicago with St. Louis, Missouri, has given us the phrase "I-55 Series" to characterize the strong Major League Baseball rivalry between the Cubs and the Cardinals.