Jump to content

U.S. Route 81: Difference between revisions

Route map:
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
→‎History: Archived website's original URL checked & 'url-status=' parameter updated accordingly, to either 'Live' or 'Dead', in order to clear the resulting CS1 maintenance error.
(33 intermediate revisions by 26 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Numbered U.S. Highway in the United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox road
{{Infobox road
Line 4: Line 5:
|type=US
|type=US
|route=81
|route=81
|map = {{maplink-road|frame-height=290|from=U.S. Route 81.map}}
|map=US 81 map.png
|map_custom = yes
|map_notes = US 81 highlighted in red
|length_mi=1220
|length_mi=1220
|length_ref={{citation needed|date=February 2018}}
|length_ref={{citation needed|date=February 2018}}
|length_round=0
|length_round=0
|established=1926
|established=1926, truncated to Fort Worth in the 1990s{{citation needed|date=February 2018}}
|direction_a=South
|direction_a=South
|direction_b=North
|direction_b=North
|terminus_a={{jct|state=TX|I|35W|US|287}} at [[Fort Worth, Texas|Fort Worth, TX]]
|terminus_a={{jct|country=USA|I|35W|US|287|dab1=Texas}} at [[Fort Worth, Texas|Fort Worth, TX]]
|junction={{plainlist|1=
|junction={{plainlist|1=
*{{jct|state=OK|I|44}} at [[Chickasha, Oklahoma|Chickasha, OK]]
*{{jct|country=USA|I|44}} at [[Chickasha, Oklahoma|Chickasha, OK]]
*{{jct|state=OK|I|40}} at [[El Reno, Oklahoma|El Reno, OK]]
*{{jct|country=USA|I|40}} at [[El Reno, Oklahoma|El Reno, OK]]
*{{jct|state=KS|I|135}} from [[Wichita, Kansas|Wichita, KS]] to [[Salina, Kansas|Salina, KS]]
*{{jct|country=USA|I|135}} from [[Wichita, Kansas|Wichita, KS]] to [[Salina, Kansas|Salina, KS]]
*{{jct|state=KS|I|70}} near [[Salina, Kansas|Salina, KS]]
*{{jct|country=USA|I|70}} near [[Salina, Kansas|Salina, KS]]
*{{jct|state=NE|I|80}} at [[York, Nebraska|York NE]]
*{{jct|country=USA|I|80}} at [[York, Nebraska|York NE]]
*{{jct|state=SD|I|90}} at [[Salem, South Dakota|Salem, SD]]
*{{jct|country=USA|I|90}} at [[Salem, South Dakota|Salem, SD]]
*{{jct|state=SD|I|29}} from [[Watertown, South Dakota|Watertown, SD]] to [[Manvel, North Dakota|Manvel, ND]]
*{{jct|country=USA|I|29}} from [[Watertown, South Dakota|Watertown, SD]] to [[Manvel, North Dakota|Manvel, ND]]
*{{jct|state=ND|I|94}} at [[Fargo, North Dakota|Fargo, ND]]
*{{jct|country=USA|I|94|US|52}} at [[Fargo, North Dakota|Fargo, ND]]
*{{jct|state=ND|US|2}} at [[Grand Forks, North Dakota|Grand Forks, ND]]
*{{jct|country=USA|US|2}} at [[Grand Forks, North Dakota|Grand Forks, ND]]
*{{jct|state=ND|I|29}} from [[Joliette, North Dakota|Joliette, ND]] to [[Pembina, ND]] }}
*{{jct|country=USA|I|29}} from [[Joliette, North Dakota|Joliette, ND]] to [[Pembina, ND]] }}
|terminus_b={{jct|state=ND|I|29}} / {{jct|state=MB|PTH|75}} at [[Pembina–Emerson Border Crossing]] near [[Pembina, ND]]
|terminus_b={{jct|country=USA|I|29}} / {{jct|state=MB|PTH|75}} at [[Pembina–Emerson Border Crossing]] near [[Pembina, ND]]
|states=[[Texas]], [[Oklahoma]], [[Kansas]], [[Nebraska]], [[South Dakota]], [[North Dakota]]
|states=[[Texas]], [[Oklahoma]], [[Kansas]], [[Nebraska]], [[South Dakota]], [[North Dakota]]
|previous_type=US
|previous_route=80
|next_type=US
|next_route=82
}}
}}


'''U.S. Route 81''' or '''U.S. Highway 81''' ('''US 81''') is a major north–south U.S. highway that extends for {{convert|1220|mi|km}} in the [[central United States]] and is one of the original [[United States Numbered Highways]] established in 1926 by the [[American Association of State Highway Officials]].
'''U.S. Route 81''' or '''U.S. Highway 81''' ('''US 81''') is a major north–south U.S. highway that extends for {{convert|1220|mi|km}} in the [[central United States]] and is one of the original [[United States Numbered Highways]] established in 1926 by the [[American Association of State Highway Officials]].


The route of US&nbsp;81 follows that of the old [[Meridian Highway]] (so called because it roughly followed the [[Sixth Principal Meridian]] of the US [[Public Land Survey System]]) which dates back as early as 1911.<ref>[http://ktwu.washburn.edu/journeys/scripts/2003/1603a.html Transcript - The Meridian Highway<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The highway has alternately (and unofficially) been known as part of the [[Pan-American Highway]].<ref>[http://www.thayercounty.ne.gov/index_html?page=content/history/highway81.html Highway 81<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In the segment in the state of Oklahoma, the highway closely corresponds to the old [[Chisholm Trail]] for cattle drives from Texas to railheads in Kansas in the 1860s and 1870s.
The route of US&nbsp;81 follows that of the old [[Meridian Highway]] (so called because it roughly followed the [[Sixth Principal Meridian]] of the US [[Public Land Survey System]]) which dates back as early as 1911.<ref>[http://ktwu.washburn.edu/journeys/scripts/2003/1603a.html Transcript – The Meridian Highway<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The highway has alternately (and unofficially) been known as part of the [[Pan-American Highway]].<ref>[http://www.thayercounty.ne.gov/index_html?page=content/history/highway81.html Highway 81<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In the segment in the state of Oklahoma, the highway closely corresponds to the old [[Chisholm Trail]] for cattle drives from Texas to railheads in Kansas in the 1860s and 1870s.


As of 2004, the highway's northern terminus is just north of [[Pembina, North Dakota]], at the [[Canada–United States border|Canadian border]]. At this point, it is routed along [[Interstate 29]] (I-29) and continues northward into [[Manitoba]] on [[Manitoba Highway 75|Highway 75]], which leads to [[Winnipeg]].
As of 2004, the highway's northern terminus is just north of [[Pembina, North Dakota]], at the [[Canada–United States border|Canadian border]]. At this point, it is routed along [[Interstate 29]] (I-29) and continues northward into [[Manitoba]] on [[Manitoba Highway 75|Highway 75]], which leads to [[Winnipeg]].
Line 35: Line 42:
Its southern terminus is in [[Fort Worth, Texas]], at an intersection with [[Interstate 35W (Texas)|I-35W]] and [[U.S. Route 287|US 287]]. Between the inception of the numbered highway system in 1926 through 1991, US 81's southern terminus was at the [[Mexico–United States border|Mexican border]] in [[Laredo, Texas]]. In 1991, the terminus was moved to [[San Antonio]]. The route was shortened to its present length of {{convert|1234|mi|km}} in 1993, when the terminus was moved to Fort Worth. In both cases, the dropped portions of US&nbsp;81 were replaced by [[Interstate 35|I-35]].{{citation needed|date=February 2018}} Portions of former US&nbsp;81 south of Fort Worth continue to exist as business loops of I-35; a section from Hillsboro to Fort Worth exists as [[Texas State Highway 81|State Highway 81]].
Its southern terminus is in [[Fort Worth, Texas]], at an intersection with [[Interstate 35W (Texas)|I-35W]] and [[U.S. Route 287|US 287]]. Between the inception of the numbered highway system in 1926 through 1991, US 81's southern terminus was at the [[Mexico–United States border|Mexican border]] in [[Laredo, Texas]]. In 1991, the terminus was moved to [[San Antonio]]. The route was shortened to its present length of {{convert|1234|mi|km}} in 1993, when the terminus was moved to Fort Worth. In both cases, the dropped portions of US&nbsp;81 were replaced by [[Interstate 35|I-35]].{{citation needed|date=February 2018}} Portions of former US&nbsp;81 south of Fort Worth continue to exist as business loops of I-35; a section from Hillsboro to Fort Worth exists as [[Texas State Highway 81|State Highway 81]].


The [[Decommissioned highway|decommissioning]] of portions of US&nbsp;81 that have been displaced by concurrent [[Interstate Highway System|Interstate Highways]] means that US&nbsp;81 no longer extends from the Canadian border to the Mexican border, while one of its children, [[U.S. Route 281|US&nbsp;281]] does extend to both borders. As a result of decommissioning portions of US&nbsp;81, the length of US&nbsp;81 is actually {{convert|672|mi|km}} miles shorter than its child.
The [[Decommissioned highway|decommissioning]] of portions of US&nbsp;81 that have been displaced by concurrent [[Interstate Highway System|Interstate Highways]] means that US&nbsp;81 no longer extends from the Canadian border to the Mexican border, while one of its auxiliary routes, [[U.S. Route 281|US&nbsp;281]] does extend to both borders. As a result of decommissioning portions of US&nbsp;81, the length of US&nbsp;81 is actually {{convert|672|mi|km}} miles shorter than US 281.


==Route description==
==Route description==
{{More citations needed section|date=October 2022}}

===Texas===
===Texas===
{{main|U.S. Route 81 in Texas}}
{{Main|U.S. Route 81 in Texas}}
US 81 at its inception in 1926 followed the route of State Highway 2, which began in [[Laredo, Texas|Laredo]] and passed through [[San Antonio, Texas|San Antonio]], [[Austin, Texas|Austin]], [[Waco, Texas|Waco]], and [[Fort Worth, Texas|Fort Worth]] before passing over the [[Red River of the South|Red River]] into [[Oklahoma]] {{convert|4|mi|km|spell=in}} north of [[Ringgold, Texas|Ringgold]]. The 1936 Official Map of the Highway System of Texas clearly shows the route labeled both as US 81 and SH 2. It was cosigned with [[U.S. Route 83|US&nbsp;83]] for {{convert|18|mi|km}} from Laredo to {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=in}} south of [[Webb, Texas|Webb]], with [[U.S. Route 79|US&nbsp;79]] for {{convert|18|mi|km}} from Austin north to [[Round Rock, Texas|Round Rock]], and with [[U.S. Route 77|US&nbsp;77]] for {{convert|33|mi|km}} from Waco to [[Hillsboro, Texas|Hillsboro]]. In 1940 [[U.S. Route 287|US&nbsp;287]] was extended south into Texas, and a {{convert|67|mi|km|adj=on}} stretch from Fort Worth northwest to [[Bowie, Texas|Bowie]] was cosigned with US&nbsp;81. The summer 1941 Texas Highway Map shows this pairing, and the current southern terminus of US&nbsp;81 is still cosigned with US&nbsp;287.
US 81 at its inception in 1926 followed the route of State Highway 2, which began in [[Laredo, Texas|Laredo]] and passed through [[San Antonio, Texas|San Antonio]], [[Austin, Texas|Austin]], [[Waco, Texas|Waco]], and [[Fort Worth, Texas|Fort Worth]] before passing over the [[Red River of the South|Red River]] into [[Oklahoma]] {{convert|4|mi|km|spell=in}} north of [[Ringgold, Texas|Ringgold]]. The 1936 Official Map of the Highway System of Texas clearly shows the route labeled both as US 81 and SH 2. It was cosigned with [[U.S. Route 83|US&nbsp;83]] for {{convert|18|mi|km}} from Laredo to {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=in}} south of [[Webb, Texas|Webb]], with [[U.S. Route 79|US&nbsp;79]] for {{convert|18|mi|km}} from Austin north to [[Round Rock, Texas|Round Rock]], and with [[U.S. Route 77|US&nbsp;77]] for {{convert|33|mi|km}} from Waco to [[Hillsboro, Texas|Hillsboro]]. In 1940 [[U.S. Route 287|US&nbsp;287]] was extended south into Texas, and a {{convert|67|mi|km|adj=on}} stretch from Fort Worth northwest to [[Bowie, Texas|Bowie]] was cosigned with US&nbsp;81. The summer 1941 Texas Highway Map shows this pairing, and the current southern terminus of US&nbsp;81 is still cosigned with US&nbsp;287.


Line 49: Line 56:
===Oklahoma===
===Oklahoma===
{{Main|U.S. Route 81 in Oklahoma}}
{{Main|U.S. Route 81 in Oklahoma}}
[[Enid, Oklahoma|Enid]], [[El Reno, Oklahoma|El Reno]], [[Chickasha, Oklahoma|Chickasha]], and [[Duncan, Oklahoma|Duncan]] are major Oklahoma towns on the highway; historically, the small town of Hennessey is notable. Among the elders throughout the small towns that are dotted along US&nsbp;81 in Oklahoma, the sixth meridian is commonly known among the locals as the "Indian Meridian" but US&nsbp;81 is not known as the "Indian Meridian Highway". The Indian Meridan is located some {{convert|40|mi|km}} east and parallel of US&nsbp;81. By pure coincidence, the [[Chisholm Trail]] of the post-Civil-War decades roughly followed along the corridor of present-day US&nsbp;81; the region was not opened for settlement until several years after the cattle drives were discontinued; cultural memory harkened exclusively for many years to Indian [[Meridian Highway]] until recognition of the old cattle trail grew in the late 1900s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Retracing the Chisholm Trail|url=http://www.redriverhistorian.com/travelchisholm.html|website=Red River Historian|accessdate=February 7, 2018}}</ref>
[[Enid, Oklahoma|Enid]], [[El Reno, Oklahoma|El Reno]], [[Chickasha, Oklahoma|Chickasha]], and [[Duncan, Oklahoma|Duncan]] are major Oklahoma towns on the highway; historically, the small town of Hennessey is notable. Among the elders throughout the small towns that are dotted along US&nbsp;81 in Oklahoma, the sixth meridian is commonly known among the locals as the "Indian Meridian" but US&nbsp;81 is not known as the "Indian Meridian Highway". The [[2013 El Reno tornado|El Reno tornado in May 2013]], the largest tornado ever at 2.6&nbsp;mi wide, also crossed US 81. The Indian Meridan is located some {{convert|40|mi|km}} east and parallel of US&nbsp;81. By pure coincidence, the [[Chisholm Trail]] of the post-Civil-War decades roughly followed along the corridor of present-day US&nbsp;81; the region was not opened for settlement until several years after the cattle drives were discontinued; cultural memory harkened exclusively for many years to Indian [[Meridian Highway]] until recognition of the old cattle trail grew in the late 1900s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Retracing the Chisholm Trail|url=http://www.redriverhistorian.com/travelchisholm.html|website=Red River Historian|access-date=February 7, 2018}}</ref>


===Kansas===
===Kansas===
[[Image:Us81.jpg|thumb|right|1912 [[Meridian Highway]] Inspection team in [[Concordia, Kansas]]]]
[[Image:Us81.jpg|thumb|right|1912 [[Meridian Highway]] Inspection team in [[Concordia, Kansas]]]]
{{main|U.S. Route 81 in Kansas}}
{{Main|U.S. Route 81 in Kansas}}
{{see also|Interstate 135}}
{{See also|Interstate 135}}
Nearly all of US&nsbp;81 in Kansas is either freeway or expressway. The route enters Kansas as a two-lane near [[Caldwell, Kansas|Caldwell]]. From [[South Haven, Kansas|South Haven]] to [[Wichita, Kansas|Wichita]] it closely parallels I-35, which is also known as the [[Kansas Turnpike]] in that area. After South Haven, the only town of any significance along US&nsbp;81 until Wichita is [[Wellington, Kansas|Wellington]], which is just west of the Turnpike along [[U.S. Route 160|US&nsbp;160]].
Nearly all of US&nbsp;81 in Kansas is either freeway or expressway. The route enters Kansas as a two-lane near [[Caldwell, Kansas|Caldwell]]. From [[South Haven, Kansas|South Haven]] to [[Wichita, Kansas|Wichita]] it closely parallels I-35, which is also known as the [[Kansas Turnpike]] in that area. After South Haven, the only town of any significance along US&nbsp;81 until Wichita is [[Wellington, Kansas|Wellington]], which is just west of the Turnpike along [[U.S. Route 160|US&nbsp;160]].


At Wichita, US&nsbp;81 joins [[Interstate 135 (Kansas)|I-135]]. The two highways remain joined until [[Salina, Kansas|Salina]]; I-135's mile markers take precedence. I-135 ends at [[Interstate 70|I-70]] but US&nsbp;81 continues as a freeway to [[Minneapolis, Kansas|Minneapolis]], then as an expressway passing through [[Concordia, Kansas|Concordia]] before exiting the state north of [[Belleville, Kansas|Belleville]].
At Wichita, US&nbsp;81 joins [[Interstate 135 (Kansas)|I-135]]. The two highways remain joined until [[Salina, Kansas|Salina]]; I-135's mile markers take precedence. I-135 ends at [[Interstate 70|I-70]] but US&nbsp;81 continues as a freeway to [[Minneapolis, Kansas|Minneapolis]], then as an expressway passing through [[Concordia, Kansas|Concordia]] before exiting the state north of [[Belleville, Kansas|Belleville]].


The alignment of US&nsbp;81 from Wichita to Salina prior to the completion I-135 is fully intact. The prior alignment ran from where current US&nsbp;81 breaks off for I-135 at 47th street, north through Wichita along Broadway street. Old US&nsbp;81 roughly parallels I-135 to Newton. Old US&nsbp;81 follows current K-15 through Newton between an interchange with US&nsbp;50 and Hesston Road, where old US&nsbp;81 breaks northwest onto Hesston road. Old US&nsbp;81 then travels through the small Kansas towns of Hesston, Moundridge, and Elyria, before turning to the north, and going through the town of McPherson as Main Street. North of McPherson, old US&nsbp;81 continues to Lindsborg, where it follows current K-4 until an interchange with I-135. Old US&nsbp;81 passes under I-135 and continues to parallel it about {{convert|1/2|mi|km}} to the east. Old US&nsbp;81 then travels through Assaria, where it encounters another brief overlap with K-4 and K-104. Old US&nsbp;81 continues through the city of Salina as Ninth Street. North of Salina, Old US&nsbp;81 encounters brief overlaps with K-143 and K-18. Old US&nsbp;81 follows K-106 to an interchange with current US&nsbp;81, where the two alignments are joined back together.
The alignment of US&nbsp;81 from Wichita to Salina prior to the completion I-135 is fully intact. The prior alignment ran from where current US&nbsp;81 breaks off for I-135 at 47th street, north through Wichita along Broadway street. Old US&nbsp;81 roughly parallels I-135 to Newton. Old US&nbsp;81 follows current K-15 through Newton between an interchange with US&nbsp;50 and Hesston Road, where old US&nbsp;81 breaks northwest onto Hesston road. Old US&nbsp;81 then travels through the small Kansas towns of Hesston, Moundridge, and Elyria, before turning to the north, and going through the town of McPherson as Main Street. North of McPherson, old US&nbsp;81 continues to Lindsborg, where it follows current K-4 until an interchange with I-135. Old US&nbsp;81 passes under I-135 and continues to parallel it about {{convert|1/2|mi|km}} to the east. Old US&nbsp;81 then travels through Assaria, where it encounters another brief overlap with K-4 and K-104. Old US&nbsp;81 continues through the city of Salina as Ninth Street. North of Salina, Old US&nbsp;81 encounters brief overlaps with K-143 and K-18. Old US&nbsp;81 follows K-106 to an interchange with current US&nbsp;81, where the two alignments are joined back together.


From Salina to the Nebraska state line, the highway is named the Frank Carlson Memorial Highway, in honor of the late Senator [[Frank Carlson]]. Senator Carlson was a native of Concordia who represented Kansas in the United States Senate from 1951 until 1969. Before serving in the Senate, he was [[Governor of Kansas]] from 1947 until 1950.
From Salina to the Nebraska state line, the highway is named the Frank Carlson Memorial Highway, in honor of the late Senator [[Frank Carlson]]. Senator Carlson was a native of Concordia who represented Kansas in the United States Senate from 1951 until 1969. Before serving in the Senate, he was [[Governor of Kansas]] from 1947 until 1950.


===Nebraska===
===Nebraska===
US&nsbp;81 enters Nebraska as an expressway at [[Chester, Nebraska|Chester]] and continues as an expressway to [[York, Nebraska|York]], where the highway intersects [[Interstate 80|I-80]]. After a two-lane section going north from York and an overlap with [[Nebraska Highway 92]] (N-92), US&nsbp;81 again becomes an expressway at [[Nebraska Highway 64|N-64]]. This expressway section passes through [[Columbus, Nebraska|Columbus]] and [[Norfolk, Nebraska|Norfolk]]. North of Norfolk, US&nsbp;81 is a two-lane, undivided highway which passes through no towns before exiting the state in [[Cedar County, Nebraska|Cedar County]].
US&nbsp;81 enters Nebraska as an expressway at [[Chester, Nebraska|Chester]] and continues as an expressway to [[York, Nebraska|York]], where the highway intersects [[Interstate 80|I-80]]. After a two-lane section going north from York and an overlap with [[Nebraska Highway 92]] (N-92), US&nbsp;81 again becomes an expressway at [[Nebraska Highway 64|N-64]]. This expressway section passes through [[Columbus, Nebraska|Columbus]] and [[Norfolk, Nebraska|Norfolk]]. North of Norfolk, US&nbsp;81 is a two-lane, undivided highway which passes through no towns before exiting the state in [[Cedar County, Nebraska|Cedar County]].


===South Dakota===
===South Dakota===
US&nsbp;81 enters [[South Dakota]] by a [[Missouri River]] crossing, via the [[Discovery Bridge (Yankton)|Discovery Bridge]] at [[Yankton, South Dakota|Yankton]]. Its junction with [[Interstate 90|I-90]] is south of [[Salem, South Dakota|Salem]]. US&nsbp;81 passes near [[Madison, South Dakota|Madison]] before it joins with [[Interstate 29|I-29]] at [[Watertown, South Dakota|Watertown]]. The two highways remain concurrent through the rest of the state, leaving South Dakota near [[New Effington, South Dakota|New Effington]].
US&nbsp;81 enters [[South Dakota]] by a [[Missouri River]] crossing, via the [[Discovery Bridge (Yankton)|Discovery Bridge]] at [[Yankton, South Dakota|Yankton]]. Its junction with [[Interstate 90|I-90]] is south of [[Salem, South Dakota|Salem]]. US&nbsp;81 passes near [[Madison, South Dakota|Madison]] before it joins with [[Interstate 29|I-29]] at [[Watertown, South Dakota|Watertown]]. The two highways remain concurrent through the rest of the state, leaving South Dakota near [[New Effington, South Dakota|New Effington]].


The South Dakota section of US&nsbp;81, with the exception of a concurrency with [[U.S. Route 14|US&nsbp;14]], is defined at South Dakota Codified Laws § 31-4-179.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://legis.state.sd.us/statutes/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&Statute=31-4-179 |title=South Dakota Codified Laws |publisher=Legis.state.sd.us |date= |accessdate=January 26, 2013}}</ref>
The South Dakota section of US&nbsp;81, with the exception of a concurrency with [[U.S. Route 14|US&nbsp;14]], is defined at South Dakota Codified Laws § 31-4-179.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://legis.state.sd.us/statutes/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&Statute=31-4-179 |title=South Dakota Codified Laws |publisher=Legis.state.sd.us |access-date=January 26, 2013}}</ref>


===North Dakota===
===North Dakota===
{{Main|U.S. Route 81 in North Dakota}}
{{Main|U.S. Route 81 in North Dakota}}
US&nbsp;81 enters North Dakota concurrently with [[Interstate 29|I-29]]. It is paired with I-29 from the South Dakota border, passing through [[Fargo, North Dakota|Fargo]], to the north side of [[Grand Forks, North Dakota|Grand Forks]]. There it splits off to the northwest, passing through the city of [[Manvel, North Dakota|Manvel]]. It parallels I-29, passing through the town of [[Grafton, North Dakota|Grafton]] before joining [[North Dakota Highway 5]] (ND&nbsp;5) near [[Cavalier, North Dakota|Cavalier]]. It rejoins I-29 and continues to the Canadian border at [[Pembina, North Dakota|Pembina]]. The original route of US&nsbp;81 survives as [[North Dakota Highway 127|ND&nbsp;127]] and County Road 81 (CR&nbsp;81) in [[Richland County, North Dakota|Richland]], [[Cass County, North Dakota|Cass]], [[Traill County, North Dakota|Traill]], and [[Grand Forks County, North Dakota|Grand Forks]] counties.
US&nbsp;81 enters North Dakota concurrently with [[Interstate 29|I-29]]. It is paired with I-29 from the South Dakota border, passing through [[Fargo, North Dakota|Fargo]], to the north side of [[Grand Forks, North Dakota|Grand Forks]]. There it splits off to the northwest, passing through the city of [[Manvel, North Dakota|Manvel]]. It parallels I-29, passing through the town of [[Grafton, North Dakota|Grafton]] before joining [[North Dakota Highway 5]] (ND&nbsp;5) near [[Cavalier, North Dakota|Cavalier]]. It rejoins I-29 and continues to the Canadian border at [[Pembina, North Dakota|Pembina]]. The original route of US&nbsp;81 survives as [[North Dakota Highway 127|ND&nbsp;127]] and County Road 81 (CR&nbsp;81) in [[Richland County, North Dakota|Richland]], [[Cass County, North Dakota|Cass]], [[Traill County, North Dakota|Traill]], and [[Grand Forks County, North Dakota|Grand Forks]] counties.


==History==
==History==
{{dablink|For more details, see the state-specific articles linked in the route description above.}}
{{Hatnote|For more details, see the state-specific articles linked in the route description above.}}
US&nbsp;81 started out as the [[Meridian Highway]], an [[auto trail]] organized in 1911 to connect [[Winnipeg]], Manitoba, Canada, to the [[Gulf of Mexico]] near the [[Sixth Principal Meridian]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher = [[Nebraska State Historical Society]] |url = http://www.nebraskahistory.org/publish/markers/texts/meridian_highway.htm |title = The Meridian Highway: From Canada to Mexico |access-date = October 2007 }}</ref> The southern terminus, initially at [[Galveston, Texas|Galveston]],<ref>{{cite news |work = [[Fort Wayne News]] |title = Good Roads Enthusiasts Prepare for Second National Convention |date = February 4, 1913 |page = }}{{page needed|date=March 2019}}</ref> was later moved to [[Laredo, Texas|Laredo]], where it would connect with a proposed extension to Mexico City (later built as part of the [[Pan-American Highway]]).<ref>{{cite news |work = [[Los Angeles Times]] |title = Plan Highway from Laredo Across Mexico |date = March 22, 1920 |page = I5 }}</ref> Five of the six states along the route assigned a single number to the highway, mostly changing at the state line. ([[Kansas]] did not number its highways until 1926.)<ref name="1926 Rand McNally">[[Rand McNally]] Auto Road Atlas, 1926, accessed via the [http://www.broermapsonline.org/members/ Broer Map Library]</ref><ref>The following routes were used, shown on the 1926 Rand McNally:
US&nbsp;81 started out as the [[Meridian Highway]], an [[auto trail]] organized in 1911 to connect [[Winnipeg]], Manitoba, Canada, to the [[Gulf of Mexico]] near the [[Sixth Principal Meridian]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher = [[Nebraska State Historical Society]] |url = http://www.nebraskahistory.org/publish/markers/texts/meridian_highway.htm |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040820034558/http://www.nebraskahistory.org/publish/markers/texts/meridian_highway.htm |url-status = dead |archive-date = August 20, 2004 |title = The Meridian Highway: From Canada to Mexico |access-date = October 13, 2007 }}</ref> The southern terminus, initially at [[Galveston, Texas|Galveston]],<ref>{{cite news |work = [[Fort Wayne News]] |title = Good Roads Enthusiasts Prepare for Second National Convention |date = February 4, 1913 }}{{page needed|date=March 2019}}</ref> was later moved to [[Laredo, Texas|Laredo]], where it would connect with a proposed extension to Mexico City (later built as part of the [[Pan-American Highway]]).<ref>{{cite news |work = [[Los Angeles Times]] |title = Plan Highway from Laredo Across Mexico |date = March 22, 1920 |page = I5 }}</ref> Five of the six states along the route assigned a single number to the highway, mostly changing at the state line. ([[Kansas]] did not number its highways until 1926.)<ref name="1926 Rand McNally">[[Rand McNally]] Auto Road Atlas, 1926, accessed via the [http://www.broermapsonline.org/members/ Broer Map Library]</ref><ref>The following routes were used, shown on the 1926 Rand McNally:
*Texas: 2
*Texas: 2
*Oklahoma: 2
*Oklahoma: 2
Line 84: Line 91:
*South Dakota: 21
*South Dakota: 21
*North Dakota: 1
*North Dakota: 1
</ref> Planning to replace these designations—and the Meridian Highway name—began in 1925, when the [[Joint Board on Interstate Highways]] created a preliminary list of interstate routes to be marked by the states;<ref name="FHWA planning">{{cite web |first = Richard F. |last = Weingroff |url = http://wwwcf.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/numbers.htm |title = From Names to Numbers: The Origins of the U.S. Numbered Highway System |publisher = [[Federal Highway Administration]] }}</ref> the entire Meridian Highway was assigned US&nbsp;81.<ref name="1925 list">{{cite book |author = Joint Board on Interstate Highways |date = November 18, 1925 |chapter = Appendix VI: Descriptions of the Interstate Routes Selected, with Numbers Assigned |chapter-url = https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Report_of_Joint_Board_on_Interstate_Highways_October_30,_1925#55 |title = Report of Joint Board on Interstate Highways, October 30, 1925, Approved by the Secretary of Agriculture, November 18, 1925 |location = Washington, DC |publisher = [[United States Department of Agriculture]] |page = 55 |id = {{OCLC|733875457|55123355|71026428}} |via = [[Wikisource]] }}</ref> The new number was officially adopted in late 1926.<ref name="1926 map">{{cite map |author1= [[Bureau of Public Roads]] |author2= [[American Association of State Highway Officials]] |date= November 11, 1926 |title= United States System of Highways Adopted for Uniform Marking by the American Association of State Highway Officials |url= https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:United_States_System_of_Highways_Adopted_for_Uniform_Marking_by_the_American_Association_of_State_Highway_Officials.jpg |scale= 1:7,000,000 |location= Washington, DC |publisher= [[United States Geological Survey]] |oclc= 32889555 |access-date= November 7, 2013 |via= [[Wikimedia Commons]] |last-author-amp= yes}}</ref><ref name="1927 log">United States Numbered Highways, ''[[American Highways]]'' ([[American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials]]), April 1927</ref>
</ref> Planning to replace these designations—and the Meridian Highway name—began in 1925, when the [[Joint Board on Interstate Highways]] created a preliminary list of interstate routes to be marked by the states;<ref name="FHWA planning">{{cite web |first = Richard F. |last = Weingroff |url = http://wwwcf.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/numbers.htm |title = From Names to Numbers: The Origins of the U.S. Numbered Highway System |publisher = [[Federal Highway Administration]] }}</ref> the entire Meridian Highway was assigned US&nbsp;81.<ref name="1925 list">{{cite book |author = Joint Board on Interstate Highways |date = November 18, 1925 |chapter = Appendix VI: Descriptions of the Interstate Routes Selected, with Numbers Assigned |chapter-url = https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Report_of_Joint_Board_on_Interstate_Highways_October_30,_1925#55 |title = Report of Joint Board on Interstate Highways, October 30, 1925, Approved by the Secretary of Agriculture, November 18, 1925 |location = Washington, DC |publisher = [[United States Department of Agriculture]] |page = 55 |id = {{OCLC|733875457|55123355|71026428}} |via = [[Wikisource]] }}</ref> The new number was officially adopted in late 1926.<ref name="1926 map">{{cite map |author1= Bureau of Public Roads |author-link= Bureau of Public Roads |author2= American Association of State Highway Officials |author2-link= American Association of State Highway Officials |date= November 11, 1926 |title= United States System of Highways Adopted for Uniform Marking by the American Association of State Highway Officials |url= https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:United_States_System_of_Highways_Adopted_for_Uniform_Marking_by_the_American_Association_of_State_Highway_Officials.jpg |scale= 1:7,000,000 |location= Washington, DC |publisher= [[United States Geological Survey]] |oclc= 32889555 |access-date= November 7, 2013 |via= [[Wikimedia Commons]] |name-list-style= amp}}</ref><ref name="1927 log">United States Numbered Highways, ''[[American Highways]]'' ([[American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials]]), April 1927</ref>


The [[Interstate Highway System]] was approved in 1956, and included several routes that would replace much of US 81. [[Interstate 35|I-35]] followed the corridor from Laredo north to [[Wichita, Kansas|Wichita]], where I-35 turned northeast towards [[Kansas City, Kansas|Kansas City]], with a branch—[[Interstate 135|I-35W]]—continuing parallel to US&nbsp;81 to [[Salina, Kansas]]. Between [[Fort Worth, Texas]], and [[South Haven, Kansas]], I-35 did not directly replace US&nbsp;81, instead following [[U.S. Route 77|US&nsbp;77]] through [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|Oklahoma City]], but replaced it as a long-distance highway. From Salina north through [[Nebraska]], the US&nbsp;81 corridor was not part of the Interstate Highway System, but [[Interstate 29|I-29]] began at Kansas City, gradually heading northwest and intersecting US&nbsp;81 at [[Watertown, South Dakota]], then following it north to the Canadian border. The portion through northern Kansas and Nebraska remains an important regional corridor, but by the late 1970s, the rest had been mostly replaced by I-35 and I-29 for non-local traffic.<ref>Gulf, Tourgide: United States, Canada and Mexico ([[Rand McNally & Company]]), 1977</ref> The [[American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials]] approved a truncation in 1991, changing the southern terminus from Laredo to north of Fort Worth and removing long [[overlap (road)|overlap]]s with and short sections parallel to I-35.<ref>{{TxDOT|US|81|access-date= October 2007}}</ref>
The [[Interstate Highway System]] was approved in 1956, and included several routes that would replace much of US 81. [[Interstate 35|I-35]] followed the corridor from Laredo north to [[Wichita, Kansas|Wichita]], where I-35 turned northeast towards [[Kansas City, Kansas|Kansas City]], with a branch—[[Interstate 135|I-35W]]—continuing parallel to US&nbsp;81 to [[Salina, Kansas]]. Between [[Fort Worth, Texas]], and [[South Haven, Kansas]], I-35 did not directly replace US&nbsp;81, instead following [[U.S. Route 77|US&nbsp;77]] through [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|Oklahoma City]], but replaced it as a long-distance highway. From Salina north through [[Nebraska]], the US&nbsp;81 corridor was not part of the Interstate Highway System, but [[Interstate 29|I-29]] began at Kansas City, gradually heading northwest and intersecting US&nbsp;81 at [[Watertown, South Dakota]], then following it north to the Canadian border. The portion through northern Kansas and Nebraska remains an important regional corridor and was proposed as a potential Interstate in the 1960s,<ref>{{cite news |last=Parry |first=Barbara |date=January 29, 1964 |title=North-South Route On Interstate Topic |page=8 |work=[[Lincoln Evening Journal]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86706395/north-south-route-on-interstate-topic/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |accessdate=October 8, 2021}}</ref> but by the late 1970s, the rest had been mostly replaced by I-35 and I-29 for non-local traffic.<ref>Gulf, Tourgide: United States, Canada and Mexico ([[Rand McNally & Company]]), 1977</ref> The [[American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials]] approved a truncation in 1991, changing the southern terminus from Laredo to north of Fort Worth and removing long [[overlap (road)|overlap]]s with and short sections parallel to I-35.<ref>{{TxDOT|US|81|access-date= October 13, 2007}}</ref>


<!--the following should go into "U.S. Route 81 in state" articles-->
<!--the following should go into "U.S. Route 81 in state" articles-->
The portion of US&nbsp;81 between [[Grandview, Texas]], and [[Hillsboro, Texas]], that was not part of I-35W was renamed [[Texas State Highway 81|SH&nbsp;81]].
The portion of US&nbsp;81 between [[Grandview, Texas]], and [[Hillsboro, Texas]], that was not part of I-35W was renamed [[Texas State Highway 81|SH&nbsp;81]].{{Cn|date=October 2022}}


Business US&nbsp;81 in San Antonio was replaced by [[Texas State Highway Loop 368|Loop 368]] and [[Texas State Highway Loop 353|Loop 353]]. The north side (Loop 368) traveled down Broadway and Austin Highway while the south side (Loop 353) was Nogalitos and Laredo Highway. When it was replaced, they renamed the street New Laredo Highway.
Business US&nbsp;81 in San Antonio was replaced by [[Texas State Highway Loop 368|Loop 368]] and [[Texas State Highway Loop 353|Loop 353]]. The north side (Loop 368) traveled down Broadway and Austin Highway while the south side (Loop 353) was Nogalitos and Laredo Highway. When it was replaced, they renamed the street New Laredo Highway.{{Cn|date=October 2022}}


Old portions of US&nbsp;81 in various parts of North Dakota are now county roads. The current US&nbsp;81 in these areas is cosigned with I-29.
Old portions of US&nbsp;81 in various parts of North Dakota are now county roads. The current US&nbsp;81 in these areas is cosigned with I-29.{{Cn|date=October 2022}}


Completion of the four-lane section of US&nbsp;81 between Salina and Minneapolis, Kansas, occurred in 1971.<ref name="se-ne-2002-visguide">{{cite book |author = Southeast Nebraska Tourism Council |year = 2002 |chapter = Pan American Highway...Gateway to Southeast Nebraska |title = 2002 Southeast Nebraska Visitor's Guide |location = |publisher = Southeast Nebraska Tourism Council |page = 80 }}</ref>
Completion of the four-lane section of US&nbsp;81 between Salina and Minneapolis, Kansas, occurred in 1971.<ref name="se-ne-2002-visguide">{{cite book |author = Southeast Nebraska Tourism Council |year = 2002 |chapter = Pan American Highway...Gateway to Southeast Nebraska |title = 2002 Southeast Nebraska Visitor's Guide |publisher = Southeast Nebraska Tourism Council |page = 80 }}</ref>{{Better source|date=October 2022}}


Between Wichita and Salina, Kansas, old sections of US&nbsp;81 are now county roads and short sections of state highways. The current US&nbsp;81 in this area is cosigned with I-135. In [[McPherson County, Kansas|McPherson County]], the old alignment of US&nbsp;81 is signed as Business US&nbsp;81.
Between Wichita and Salina, Kansas, old sections of US&nbsp;81 are now county roads and short sections of state highways. The current US&nbsp;81 in this area is cosigned with I-135. In [[McPherson County, Kansas|McPherson County]], the old alignment of US&nbsp;81 is signed as Business US&nbsp;81.{{Cn|date=October 2022}}


==Major intersections==
==Major intersections==
Line 123: Line 130:
: {{jct|country=USA|US|56}} in [[McPherson, Kansas|McPherson]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|56}} in [[McPherson, Kansas|McPherson]]
: {{jct|country=USA|I|70|I|135|US|40}} northwest of Salina
: {{jct|country=USA|I|70|I|135|US|40}} northwest of Salina
: {{jct|country=USA|US|24}} northeast of [[Delphos, Kansas|Delphos]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|24}} south of [[Concordia, Kansas|Concordia]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|36}} in [[Belleville, Kansas|Belleville]]
: {{jct|country=USA|US|36}} in [[Belleville, Kansas|Belleville]]
;Nebraska
;Nebraska
Line 146: Line 153:
: {{jct|country=USA|I|29}} south-southwest of [[Joliette, North Dakota|Joliette]]. The highways travel concurrently to the [[Canada–United States border]] north of [[Pembina, North Dakota|Pembina]].
: {{jct|country=USA|I|29}} south-southwest of [[Joliette, North Dakota|Joliette]]. The highways travel concurrently to the [[Canada–United States border]] north of [[Pembina, North Dakota|Pembina]].
: {{jct|country=USA|I|29}}/{{jct|state=MB|PTH|75}} at the Canada–United States border north of Pembina
: {{jct|country=USA|I|29}}/{{jct|state=MB|PTH|75}} at the Canada–United States border north of Pembina
<ref name=randmcnally>{{cite book |author = Rand McNally |year = 2014 |title = The Road Atlas |edition = Walmart |location = Chicago |publisher = Rand McNally |pages = 41, 63, 77, 83, 93, 100|isbn = 978-0-528-00771-2}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 167: Line 175:
{{US 81}}
{{US 81}}
{{US Highways}}
{{US Highways}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:81}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:81}}
[[Category:United States Numbered Highways]]
[[Category:U.S. Route 81| ]]
[[Category:United States Numbered Highway System]]
[[Category:U.S. Highways in Kansas]]
[[Category:U.S. Highways in Kansas]]
[[Category:U.S. Highways in Nebraska]]
[[Category:U.S. Highways in Nebraska]]
[[Category:U.S. Highways in North Dakota|81]]
[[Category:U.S. Highways in North Dakota]]
[[Category:U.S. Highways in South Dakota]]
[[Category:U.S. Highways in South Dakota]]
[[Category:U.S. Route 81| ]]

Revision as of 03:59, 21 June 2024

U.S. Route 81 marker

U.S. Route 81

Map
US 81 highlighted in red
Route information
Length1,220 mi[citation needed] (1,960 km)
Existed1926–present
Major junctions
South end I-35W / US 287 at Fort Worth, TX
Major intersections
North end I-29 / PTH 75 at Pembina–Emerson Border Crossing near Pembina, ND
Location
CountryUnited States
StatesTexas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota
Highway system
← US 80→ US 82

U.S. Route 81 or U.S. Highway 81 (US 81) is a major north–south U.S. highway that extends for 1,220 miles (1,960 km) in the central United States and is one of the original United States Numbered Highways established in 1926 by the American Association of State Highway Officials.

The route of US 81 follows that of the old Meridian Highway (so called because it roughly followed the Sixth Principal Meridian of the US Public Land Survey System) which dates back as early as 1911.[1] The highway has alternately (and unofficially) been known as part of the Pan-American Highway.[2] In the segment in the state of Oklahoma, the highway closely corresponds to the old Chisholm Trail for cattle drives from Texas to railheads in Kansas in the 1860s and 1870s.

As of 2004, the highway's northern terminus is just north of Pembina, North Dakota, at the Canadian border. At this point, it is routed along Interstate 29 (I-29) and continues northward into Manitoba on Highway 75, which leads to Winnipeg.

Its southern terminus is in Fort Worth, Texas, at an intersection with I-35W and US 287. Between the inception of the numbered highway system in 1926 through 1991, US 81's southern terminus was at the Mexican border in Laredo, Texas. In 1991, the terminus was moved to San Antonio. The route was shortened to its present length of 1,234 miles (1,986 km) in 1993, when the terminus was moved to Fort Worth. In both cases, the dropped portions of US 81 were replaced by I-35.[citation needed] Portions of former US 81 south of Fort Worth continue to exist as business loops of I-35; a section from Hillsboro to Fort Worth exists as State Highway 81.

The decommissioning of portions of US 81 that have been displaced by concurrent Interstate Highways means that US 81 no longer extends from the Canadian border to the Mexican border, while one of its auxiliary routes, US 281 does extend to both borders. As a result of decommissioning portions of US 81, the length of US 81 is actually 672 miles (1,081 km) miles shorter than US 281.

Route description

Texas

Main article: U.S. Route 81 in Texas

US 81 at its inception in 1926 followed the route of State Highway 2, which began in Laredo and passed through San Antonio, Austin, Waco, and Fort Worth before passing over the Red River into Oklahoma four miles (6.4 km) north of Ringgold. The 1936 Official Map of the Highway System of Texas clearly shows the route labeled both as US 81 and SH 2. It was cosigned with US 83 for 18 miles (29 km) from Laredo to two miles (3.2 km) south of Webb, with US 79 for 18 miles (29 km) from Austin north to Round Rock, and with US 77 for 33 miles (53 km) from Waco to Hillsboro. In 1940 US 287 was extended south into Texas, and a 67-mile (108 km) stretch from Fort Worth northwest to Bowie was cosigned with US 81. The summer 1941 Texas Highway Map shows this pairing, and the current southern terminus of US 81 is still cosigned with US 287.

The spring and summer 1949 Texas Highway Department Official Map designates the length of US 81 from Laredo to Fort Worth as part of the National System of Interstate Highways, but no numeric designation was given.

It was not until 1959 that parts of US 81 in Texas appeared on the Texas Official Highway Travel Map cosigned with I-35 shields. Succeeding maps reflect the slow completion of I-35 and I-35W over the stretch of US 81 between Laredo and Fort Worth, with the 1978-79 Texas Official Highway Travel Map showing only a 14-mile (23 km) section from Encinal north to three miles (4.8 km) south of Artesia Wells as incomplete, and the 1980 Texas Official Highway Travel Map showing that section completed. In 1980, US 81 was cosigned with I-35 and I-35W except where the Interstate bypassed towns, with US 81 providing the main route through town and then reconnecting with I-35 on the other side. The longest section of US 81 in 1980 not cosigned with the Interstate ran from I-35 in Hillsboro 20 miles (32 km) north to I-35W, just north of Grandview.

Oklahoma

Main article: U.S. Route 81 in Oklahoma

Enid, El Reno, Chickasha, and Duncan are major Oklahoma towns on the highway; historically, the small town of Hennessey is notable. Among the elders throughout the small towns that are dotted along US 81 in Oklahoma, the sixth meridian is commonly known among the locals as the "Indian Meridian" but US 81 is not known as the "Indian Meridian Highway". The El Reno tornado in May 2013, the largest tornado ever at 2.6 mi wide, also crossed US 81. The Indian Meridan is located some 40 miles (64 km) east and parallel of US 81. By pure coincidence, the Chisholm Trail of the post-Civil-War decades roughly followed along the corridor of present-day US 81; the region was not opened for settlement until several years after the cattle drives were discontinued; cultural memory harkened exclusively for many years to Indian Meridian Highway until recognition of the old cattle trail grew in the late 1900s.[3]

Kansas

1912 Meridian Highway Inspection team in Concordia, Kansas
Main article: U.S. Route 81 in Kansas
See also: Interstate 135

Nearly all of US 81 in Kansas is either freeway or expressway. The route enters Kansas as a two-lane near Caldwell. From South Haven to Wichita it closely parallels I-35, which is also known as the Kansas Turnpike in that area. After South Haven, the only town of any significance along US 81 until Wichita is Wellington, which is just west of the Turnpike along US 160.

At Wichita, US 81 joins I-135. The two highways remain joined until Salina; I-135's mile markers take precedence. I-135 ends at I-70 but US 81 continues as a freeway to Minneapolis, then as an expressway passing through Concordia before exiting the state north of Belleville.

The alignment of US 81 from Wichita to Salina prior to the completion I-135 is fully intact. The prior alignment ran from where current US 81 breaks off for I-135 at 47th street, north through Wichita along Broadway street. Old US 81 roughly parallels I-135 to Newton. Old US 81 follows current K-15 through Newton between an interchange with US 50 and Hesston Road, where old US 81 breaks northwest onto Hesston road. Old US 81 then travels through the small Kansas towns of Hesston, Moundridge, and Elyria, before turning to the north, and going through the town of McPherson as Main Street. North of McPherson, old US 81 continues to Lindsborg, where it follows current K-4 until an interchange with I-135. Old US 81 passes under I-135 and continues to parallel it about 1⁄2 mile (0.80 km) to the east. Old US 81 then travels through Assaria, where it encounters another brief overlap with K-4 and K-104. Old US 81 continues through the city of Salina as Ninth Street. North of Salina, Old US 81 encounters brief overlaps with K-143 and K-18. Old US 81 follows K-106 to an interchange with current US 81, where the two alignments are joined back together.

From Salina to the Nebraska state line, the highway is named the Frank Carlson Memorial Highway, in honor of the late Senator Frank Carlson. Senator Carlson was a native of Concordia who represented Kansas in the United States Senate from 1951 until 1969. Before serving in the Senate, he was Governor of Kansas from 1947 until 1950.

Nebraska

US 81 enters Nebraska as an expressway at Chester and continues as an expressway to York, where the highway intersects I-80. After a two-lane section going north from York and an overlap with Nebraska Highway 92 (N-92), US 81 again becomes an expressway at N-64. This expressway section passes through Columbus and Norfolk. North of Norfolk, US 81 is a two-lane, undivided highway which passes through no towns before exiting the state in Cedar County.

South Dakota

US 81 enters South Dakota by a Missouri River crossing, via the Discovery Bridge at Yankton. Its junction with I-90 is south of Salem. US 81 passes near Madison before it joins with I-29 at Watertown. The two highways remain concurrent through the rest of the state, leaving South Dakota near New Effington.

The South Dakota section of US 81, with the exception of a concurrency with US 14, is defined at South Dakota Codified Laws § 31-4-179.[4]

North Dakota

Main article: U.S. Route 81 in North Dakota

US 81 enters North Dakota concurrently with I-29. It is paired with I-29 from the South Dakota border, passing through Fargo, to the north side of Grand Forks. There it splits off to the northwest, passing through the city of Manvel. It parallels I-29, passing through the town of Grafton before joining North Dakota Highway 5 (ND 5) near Cavalier. It rejoins I-29 and continues to the Canadian border at Pembina. The original route of US 81 survives as ND 127 and County Road 81 (CR 81) in Richland, Cass, Traill, and Grand Forks counties.

History

For more details, see the state-specific articles linked in the route description above.

US 81 started out as the Meridian Highway, an auto trail organized in 1911 to connect Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, to the Gulf of Mexico near the Sixth Principal Meridian.[5] The southern terminus, initially at Galveston,[6] was later moved to Laredo, where it would connect with a proposed extension to Mexico City (later built as part of the Pan-American Highway).[7] Five of the six states along the route assigned a single number to the highway, mostly changing at the state line. (Kansas did not number its highways until 1926.)[8][9] Planning to replace these designations—and the Meridian Highway name—began in 1925, when the Joint Board on Interstate Highways created a preliminary list of interstate routes to be marked by the states;[10] the entire Meridian Highway was assigned US 81.[11] The new number was officially adopted in late 1926.[12][13]

The Interstate Highway System was approved in 1956, and included several routes that would replace much of US 81. I-35 followed the corridor from Laredo north to Wichita, where I-35 turned northeast towards Kansas City, with a branch—I-35W—continuing parallel to US 81 to Salina, Kansas. Between Fort Worth, Texas, and South Haven, Kansas, I-35 did not directly replace US 81, instead following US 77 through Oklahoma City, but replaced it as a long-distance highway. From Salina north through Nebraska, the US 81 corridor was not part of the Interstate Highway System, but I-29 began at Kansas City, gradually heading northwest and intersecting US 81 at Watertown, South Dakota, then following it north to the Canadian border. The portion through northern Kansas and Nebraska remains an important regional corridor and was proposed as a potential Interstate in the 1960s,[14] but by the late 1970s, the rest had been mostly replaced by I-35 and I-29 for non-local traffic.[15] The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials approved a truncation in 1991, changing the southern terminus from Laredo to north of Fort Worth and removing long overlaps with and short sections parallel to I-35.[16]

The portion of US 81 between Grandview, Texas, and Hillsboro, Texas, that was not part of I-35W was renamed SH 81.[citation needed]

Business US 81 in San Antonio was replaced by Loop 368 and Loop 353. The north side (Loop 368) traveled down Broadway and Austin Highway while the south side (Loop 353) was Nogalitos and Laredo Highway. When it was replaced, they renamed the street New Laredo Highway.[citation needed]

Old portions of US 81 in various parts of North Dakota are now county roads. The current US 81 in these areas is cosigned with I-29.[citation needed]

Completion of the four-lane section of US 81 between Salina and Minneapolis, Kansas, occurred in 1971.[17][better source needed]

Between Wichita and Salina, Kansas, old sections of US 81 are now county roads and short sections of state highways. The current US 81 in this area is cosigned with I-135. In McPherson County, the old alignment of US 81 is signed as Business US 81.[citation needed]

Major intersections

Texas
I-35W / US 287 in Fort Worth. US 81/US 287 travels concurrently to Bowie.
US 380 in Decatur
US 82 in Ringgold
Oklahoma
US 70 in Waurika
US 277 in Ninnekah. The highways travel concurrently to Chickasha.
I-44 in Chickasha
US 62 / US 277 in Chickasha. US 62/US 81 travels concurrently through Chickasha.
I-40 in El Reno
US 60 / US 412 in Enid. US 60/US 81 travels concurrently to Pond Creek.
US 64 in Enid. The highways travel concurrently to west of Pond Creek.
Kansas
US 177 in South Haven
US 166 north of South Haven
US 160 in Wellington. The highways travel concurrently through Wellington.
I-135 in Wichita. The highways travel concurrently to northwest of Salina.
I-235 in Wichita
US 54 / US 400 in Wichita
I-235 in Wichita
US 50 in Newton. The highways travel concurrently to northeast of Newton.
US 56 in McPherson
I-70 / I-135 / US 40 northwest of Salina
US 24 south of Concordia
US 36 in Belleville
Nebraska
US 136 south-southeast of Hebron
US 6 in Fairmont
I-80 in York
US 34 in York. The highways travel concurrently to north of York.
US 30 south of Columbus. The highways travel concurrently to Columbus.
US 275 in Norfolk
US 20 southeast of McLean
South Dakota
US 18 south of Freeman
I-90 south of Salem
US 14 south of Arlington. The highways travel concurrently to Arlington.
US 212 in Watertown
I-29 northeast of Watertown. The highways travel concurrently to east of Manvel, North Dakota.
US 12 northwest of Summit
North Dakota
I-94 / US 52 in Fargo
US 10 in Fargo
US 2 in Grand Forks
I-29 south-southwest of Joliette. The highways travel concurrently to the Canada–United States border north of Pembina.
I-29/ PTH 75 at the Canada–United States border north of Pembina

[18]

See also

Though it did in the past, US 81 currently does not connect to either of its spur routes.

References

  1. ^ Transcript – The Meridian Highway
  2. ^ Highway 81
  3. ^ "Retracing the Chisholm Trail". Red River Historian. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
  4. ^ "South Dakota Codified Laws". Legis.state.sd.us. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  5. ^ "The Meridian Highway: From Canada to Mexico". Nebraska State Historical Society. Archived from the original on August 20, 2004. Retrieved October 13, 2007.
  6. ^ "Good Roads Enthusiasts Prepare for Second National Convention". Fort Wayne News. February 4, 1913.[page needed]
  7. ^ "Plan Highway from Laredo Across Mexico". Los Angeles Times. March 22, 1920. p. I5.
  8. ^ Rand McNally Auto Road Atlas, 1926, accessed via the Broer Map Library
  9. ^ The following routes were used, shown on the 1926 Rand McNally:
    • Texas: 2
    • Oklahoma: 2
    • Kansas: state highways were not numbered prior to the U.S. Highway system
    • Nebraska: 4 (Lincoln Star, Road Conditions, October 11, 1925)
    • South Dakota: 21
    • North Dakota: 1
  10. ^ Weingroff, Richard F. "From Names to Numbers: The Origins of the U.S. Numbered Highway System". Federal Highway Administration.
  11. ^ Joint Board on Interstate Highways (November 18, 1925). "Appendix VI: Descriptions of the Interstate Routes Selected, with Numbers Assigned". Report of Joint Board on Interstate Highways, October 30, 1925, Approved by the Secretary of Agriculture, November 18, 1925. Washington, DC: United States Department of Agriculture. p. 55. OCLC 733875457, 55123355, 71026428 – via Wikisource.
  12. ^ Bureau of Public Roads & American Association of State Highway Officials (November 11, 1926). United States System of Highways Adopted for Uniform Marking by the American Association of State Highway Officials (Map). 1:7,000,000. Washington, DC: United States Geological Survey. OCLC 32889555. Retrieved November 7, 2013 – via Wikimedia Commons.
  13. ^ United States Numbered Highways, American Highways (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials), April 1927
  14. ^ Parry, Barbara (January 29, 1964). "North-South Route On Interstate Topic". Lincoln Evening Journal. p. 8. Retrieved October 8, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ Gulf, Tourgide: United States, Canada and Mexico (Rand McNally & Company), 1977
  16. ^ Transportation Planning and Programming Division (n.d.). "U.S. Highway No. 81". Highway Designation Files. Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved October 13, 2007.
  17. ^ Southeast Nebraska Tourism Council (2002). "Pan American Highway...Gateway to Southeast Nebraska". 2002 Southeast Nebraska Visitor's Guide. Southeast Nebraska Tourism Council. p. 80.
  18. ^ Rand McNally (2014). The Road Atlas (Walmart ed.). Chicago: Rand McNally. pp. 41, 63, 77, 83, 93, 100. ISBN 978-0-528-00771-2.
KML file (edit • help)
Template:Attached KML/U.S. Route 81
KML is from Wikidata
Browse numbered routes
← I-80NE→ US 83
← SD 79SD→ US 83
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=U.S._Route_81&oldid=1230172882"