Chamber Week - More History

The more things change, the more they stay the same

            For over 20 years the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce’s Transportation Committee has worked with a number of agencies, organizations, and governmental units and representatives to advocate for the construction of Veterans Drive.  This road will extend from Illinois Route 29 on the south, and then along the City’s easterly border, eventually connecting with Interstate 474 on the North.  The Chamber believes this project is of vital importance to the community’s economic prosperity. 

            The Pekin Association of Commerce’s annual report for the year ended March 31, 1928 also noted the importance of roads.  The report from the Good Roads Committee stated:  “The most important project before the committee was the speeding up of action on the paving of the proposed State Route 164 (Pekin to Tremont and Mackinaw).  The new road will be of great assistance to the communities on the East, and the route will mean a marked extension of the Pekin trading area.  Your committee has held several meetings with representatives of the communities along the route, and many right-of-way disputes and differences have been satisfactorily adjusted.  At this writing it is practically assured that the contract for Route No. 164 will be let within the very near future.”

            The report went on to note that the newly paved section of Route 9, Pekin to Morton, was opened to the public last fall.  “In the opening of this route, the committee is able to see the final results of its many months of work performed several years ago when the right-of-way for the new road was under discussion.”