Route 21 is a highway in eastern
Missouri
Missouri is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking List of U.S. states and territories by area, 21st in land area, it is bordered by eight states (tied for the most with Tennessee ...
. Its northern terminus is at
Route 30 in
Affton
Affton is a census-designated place (CDP) in south St. Louis County, Missouri, United States, near St. Louis. The population was 20,417 at the 2020 United States Census.
Geography
Affton is located at 38°33'4" North, 90°19'25" West (38.551052 ...
. Its southern terminus is at the
Arkansas
Arkansas ( ) is a landlocked state in the South Central United States. It is bordered by Missouri to the north, Tennessee and Mississippi to the east, Louisiana to the south, and Texas and Oklahoma to the west. Its name is from the Osage ...
state line (where it continues as
Highway 115). In the St. Louis area, it is known as Tesson Ferry Road, which was named after the 19th century proprietor of the ferry across the
Meramec River
The Meramec River (), sometimes spelled Maramec River, is one of the longest free-flowing waterways in the U.S. state of Missouri, draining Blanc, Caldwell, and Hawk. "Location" while wandering Blanc, Caldwell, and Hawk. "Executive Summary" fr ...
.
The section through northern
Jefferson County, Missouri
Jefferson County is located in the eastern portion of the state of Missouri. It is a part of the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. As of the 2020 census, the population was 226,739, making it the sixth-most populous county in Missouri. Its county s ...
was considered dangerous. As a result, the road was rerouted and built to
freeway
A controlled-access highway is a type of highway that has been designed for high-speed vehicular traffic, with all traffic flow—ingress and egress—regulated. Common English terms are freeway, motorway and expressway. Other similar terms ...
standards. Construction to reroute the highway to just south of
Hillsboro was completed on December 15, 2008 and Route 21 is currently freeway standard from
Route 141 to Highway B. Plans to extend the freeway south to
DeSoto have been approved, but funds are lacking to complete this part of the project.
Route 21 from the Meramec River to Route B, along with
Route M, make up the Jefferson County Scenic Byway.
Jefferson County examines 'scenic byways' designation for routes 21 and M
Major intersections
Hillsboro Business Spur
Business 21 follows the old alignment of Route 21 through the city of Hillsboro. It begins at the intersection of Route 21 and Highway B on the southern edge of the city, and continues north to the intersection of Route A and Old Route 21, where it ends. Business 21 is the only way one can now reach Route BB, as the rerouting of Route 21 bypasses the road.
See also
* List of state highways in Missouri
* List of highways numbered 21
''For roads named A21 see ; List of A21 roads''
Route 21, or Highway 21, can refer to:
International
* European route E21
Australia
* Chandler Highway
* Toowoomba Connection Road (QLD)
* - Kakadu Highway
Austria
* Wiener Außenring Autobahn ...
References
External links
021
Transportation in Ripley County, Missouri
Transportation in Carter County, Missouri
Transportation in Reynolds County, Missouri
Transportation in Iron County, Missouri
Transportation in Washington County, Missouri
Transportation in Jefferson County, Missouri
Transportation in St. Louis County, Missouri
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