Borman Expressway - History

History

The expressway now known as the Borman was originally known as the Tri-State Highway, and construction of the expressway began in 1949. The designation went through the Kingery Expressway, and eventually linked with the Tri-State Tollway in Illinois. It was originally designated SR 420 in Indiana. US 6 diverged at Calumet Avenue south, and ran on Calumet Avenue and Ridge Road.

At various times, the expressway was extended from Indianapolis Boulevard to Burr Street, then to Georgia Street east of Broadway, and eventually to the Toll Road. Some time after the enactment of the Interstate Highway System, the expressway was designated as I-80, I-90, and I-294, and the I-94 designation was applied to the Toll Road west of where the current interchange with the Borman was eventually built. The expressways were renumbered around 1965, to avoid the implication that through drivers must change roads to stay on I-90 or I-94, resulting in the Borman becoming I-80/I-94, and I-294 being cut back to the Tri-State Tollway and no longer entering Indiana. US 6 was extended along the Borman to Ripley Street at that time (its earlier alignment in this area became US 6 business). The Borman Expressway is named after Frank Borman, commander of the Apollo 8 space mission, who was born in Gary.