Missouri Route 21

Route 21 marker
Route 21
Tesson Ferry Road
Map
Route information
Maintained by MoDOT
Length188 mi (303 km)
Existed1922–present
Major junctions
South end AR 115 at the Arkansas state line
Major intersections
North end Route 30 in Affton
Location
CountryUnited States
StateMissouri
CountiesRipley, Carter, Reynolds, Iron, Washington, Jefferson, St. Louis
Highway system
Route 20 Route 22

Route 21 is a highway in eastern Missouri. Its northern terminus is at Route 30 in Affton. Its southern terminus is at the Arkansas 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 section through northern Jefferson County, Missouri was considered dangerous. As a result, the road was rerouted and built to freeway 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 De Soto have been approved, but funds are lacking to complete this part of the project.[1]

Route 21 from the Meramec River to Route B, along with Route M, make up the Jefferson County Scenic Byway.[2][3]

  1. ^ "ROUTE 21 IMPROVEMENTS (ROUTE B TO DESOTO)". Missouri Department of Transportation. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  2. ^ Scenic Byway Plan
  3. ^ Jefferson County examines 'scenic byways' designation for routes 21 and M Archived 2012-07-15 at archive.today