I-180 runs south from Interstate 80 near Princeton in Bureau County about 10 miles before turning east and crossing the Illinois River terminating in Hennepin. The highway was originally opened in the 1960s with its main purpose being to connect the LTV steel plant in Hennepin to the major artery, I-80. The plant was ostensibly involved with the nation's Department of Defense. It was also proposed to extend the highway south to Peoria to expedite access to Chicago.
At one time the freeway was dubbed the "Heart of Illinois Freeway." It has since experienced a major decline in traffic after LTV declared banckruptcy in 2000.
