Minnesota State Highway 101
Encyclopedia
Minnesota State Highway 101 is a state highway in the U.S. state
of Minnesota
. The present day route currently has two separate segments. The roadway was a continuous route until 1988.
and Elk River
, is 6.9 miles (11.1 km) in length. This is a busy highway, well-used on weekends by Twin Cities travelers going west on Interstate 94
through Elk River and continuing north on U.S. Highway 169
to Mille Lacs Lake
and other lakes in central Minnesota. This amount of use triggered Minnesota Department of Transportation
(Mn/DOT) to build interchanges along the route and convert the portion of Highway 101 in Wright County
to a full freeway. These interchanges are at County Roads 36, 37, 39, and 42. The project of converting the Wright County portion to a freeway was completed in 2008. In 2010, Mn/DOT built a new flyover ramp at the interchange of Highway 101 and Interstate 94. This ramp allows traffic connecting from westbound 94 to northbound 101 to bypass the stoplights at the interchange and the South Diamond Lake Road intersection.
State Highway 101 originally had a lot longer mileage, starting in Elk River
, continuing south through Rogers
, Maple Grove
, Plymouth
, Wayzata
, Minnetonka
, and Chanhassen
before crossing the Minnesota River
and terminating in Shakopee
. Between 1988 and 1997, the section of State Highway 101 between Chanhassen and Rogers was turned back to county maintenance in several stages.
The section of Highway 101 in Chanhassen is still active as a state highway. However, this part of the highway has also had some turnbacks. State Highway 101 used to cross the Minnesota River
and enter downtown Shakopee, then turned east and proceeded just south of the Minnesota River to a junction with State Highway 13
in Savage
. The new U.S. Highway 169
freeway bypass of Shakopee in 1996 meant that Highway 101 was no longer necessary to maintain as a state marked route east of downtown Shakopee. Interestingly, though, the section of old Highway 101 east of Highway 169 to Highway 13 at Savage is still maintained as a state highway, but not with a signed route number. Instead, it has the unmarked legislative route number of Highway 801-B. The 2004 Control Section Guide states that this section is considered part of the U.S. 169 / County 101 / Highway 13 interchange (at the Shakopee / Savage boundary line) and will not have a route or control section number.
The two sections of old State Highway 101 that were turned back to county maintenance between 1988 and 1997 are both signed now as County Road 101 in the present day, to maintain a unity in the eyes of the general public.
The most recent turnback occurred in 2011 when Highway 101 between U.S. 212 and State Highway 5 in Chanhassen was turned over to Carver County maintenance and re-signed as Carver County Road 101, using the white-rectangle county road sign format instead of the blue-pentagon signs used by Hennepin and Scott counties. This divides the southern section of State Highway 101 into two disjointed sections.
The Minnesota Department of Highways
(now Mn/DOT) took over maintenance of the roadway in 1934. Highway 101 began at State Highway 13
in Savage
, at the intersection of Dakota Avenue and McColl Drive, and ran west on McColl Drive and Eagle Creek Boulevard to downtown Shakopee
. Old Highway 101 crossed the Minnesota River
with U.S. Highway 169
, and crossed U.S. Highway 212
along the present day Carver County portion of Highway 101. From Shakopee to near Rogers
, the original routing of Highway 101 matched the present day State Highway 101 and County Road 101 except in downtown Chanhassen
, where old 101 had followed Great Plains Boulevard and 78th Street (the later State Highway 5
), in downtown Wayzata
, where old 101 followed LaSalle Street to Central Avenue, and on the State Highway 55
/ 101 concurrency
at Plymouth
/ Medina
, which was along Old Rockford Road and Hamel Road. Instead of using old State Highway 152
(now County Road 81
) into Rogers, old Highway 101 continued north on Brockton Avenue (now County 13) and crossed the Crow River
at its mouth, then heading northwest and north on River Road and Parrish Avenue to the Parrish Avenue Bridge over the Mississippi River
. Upon crossing the bridge, old Highway 101 entered Elk River
and immediately ended at U.S. Highway 10
and U.S. Highway 169
via short pieces of Main Street and Jackson Avenue.
The U.S. Highway 169 bypass east of downtown Elk River
was built in 1961, and old Highway 101 was extended north on old Highway 169 (Jackson Avenue) to the north end of the bypass. Later, in 1968, the bypass was extended south to old State Highway 152
in Rogers
, and Highway 101 was realigned to be concurrent
with old Highway 152 and use the new bypass from Rogers north to Elk River. The original alignment of Highway 101 was turned over to the counties (renumbered as County 13 / Brockton Avenue in northern Hennepin County and County 42 in Wright County), and the extension north of downtown Elk River was renumbered State Highway 201 until 1987. Highway 101 was realigned to the present day County Road 101 between Savage and downtown Shakopee in 1940. In 1964, the State Highway 5
bypass of downtown Chanhassen was built, but Highway 101 remained on the old route until the 1980s, when it was moved to the bypass. The relocation of State Highway 55
at Plymouth / Medina, and with it the brief Highway 55 / 101 concurrency
, came in 1942 west of and 1954 east of the intersection with the old alignment.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
. The present day route currently has two separate segments. The roadway was a continuous route until 1988.
Route description
The northern section of the roadway, between RogersRogers, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,588 people, 1,195 households, and 982 families residing in the city. The population density was 715.1 people per square mile . There were 1,245 housing units at an average density of 248.1 per square mile...
and Elk River
Elk River, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,447 people, 5,664 households, and 4,400 families residing in the city. Recent estimates show the population at 21,329 as of 2005. The population density was 385.5 people per square mile . There were 5,782 housing units at an average density of 135.5 per...
, is 6.9 miles (11.1 km) in length. This is a busy highway, well-used on weekends by Twin Cities travelers going west on Interstate 94
Interstate 94 in Minnesota
In the U.S. state of Minnesota, Interstate 94 runs east–west through the central portion of the state. The route connects the cities of Moorhead, Fergus Falls, Alexandria, St...
through Elk River and continuing north on U.S. Highway 169
U.S. Route 169 in Minnesota
U.S. Route 169 is a major north–south highway in the U.S. state of Minnesota, connecting the Minnesota River valley with the Twin Cities and the Iron Range. Much of the route is built to expressway or freeway standards.-Route description:U.S...
to Mille Lacs Lake
Mille Lacs Lake
Mille Lacs Lake is a lake in the U.S. state of Minnesota. It is located in the counties of Mille Lacs, Aitkin and Crow Wing, roughly 100 miles north of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area....
and other lakes in central Minnesota. This amount of use triggered Minnesota Department of Transportation
Minnesota Department of Transportation
The Minnesota Department of Transportation oversees transportation by land, water, and air in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The cabinet-level agency is responsible for maintaining the state's trunk highway system The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT, pronounced "min-dot") oversees...
(Mn/DOT) to build interchanges along the route and convert the portion of Highway 101 in Wright County
Wright County, Minnesota
Wright County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota, founded in 1855. As of 2010, the population was 124,700. Its county seat is Buffalo.-History:...
to a full freeway. These interchanges are at County Roads 36, 37, 39, and 42. The project of converting the Wright County portion to a freeway was completed in 2008. In 2010, Mn/DOT built a new flyover ramp at the interchange of Highway 101 and Interstate 94. This ramp allows traffic connecting from westbound 94 to northbound 101 to bypass the stoplights at the interchange and the South Diamond Lake Road intersection.
State Highway 101 originally had a lot longer mileage, starting in Elk River
Elk River, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,447 people, 5,664 households, and 4,400 families residing in the city. Recent estimates show the population at 21,329 as of 2005. The population density was 385.5 people per square mile . There were 5,782 housing units at an average density of 135.5 per...
, continuing south through Rogers
Rogers, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,588 people, 1,195 households, and 982 families residing in the city. The population density was 715.1 people per square mile . There were 1,245 housing units at an average density of 248.1 per square mile...
, Maple Grove
Maple Grove, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 50,365 people , 17,532 households, and 13,955 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,532.3 people per square mile . There were 17,745 housing units at an average density of 539.9 per square mile...
, Plymouth
Plymouth, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 65,894 people, 24,820 households, and 17,647 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,002.0 persons per square mile . There were 25,258 housing units at an average density of 767.4 per square mile...
, Wayzata
Wayzata, Minnesota
Wayzata is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States, a western suburb of Minneapolis. Wayzata came into existence in the center of Chief Shakopee's Indian village.-Early settlement:...
, Minnetonka
Minnetonka, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 51,301 people, 21,393 households, and 14,097 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,893.0 persons per square mile . There were 22,228 housing units at an average density of 818.9 per square mile...
, and Chanhassen
Chanhassen, Minnesota
Chanhassen is a city in Carver and Hennepin counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota. It is southwest of Minneapolis. The population was 22,952 at the 2010 census....
before crossing the Minnesota River
Minnesota River
The Minnesota River is a tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately 332 miles long, in the U.S. state of Minnesota. It drains a watershed of nearly , in Minnesota and about in South Dakota and Iowa....
and terminating in Shakopee
Shakopee, Minnesota
Shakopee is a city southwest of downtown Minneapolis in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Scott County. Located on the south bank bend of the Minnesota River, Shakopee and nearby suburbs comprise the southwest portion of Minneapolis-Saint Paul, the thirteenth largest...
. Between 1988 and 1997, the section of State Highway 101 between Chanhassen and Rogers was turned back to county maintenance in several stages.
The section of Highway 101 in Chanhassen is still active as a state highway. However, this part of the highway has also had some turnbacks. State Highway 101 used to cross the Minnesota River
Minnesota River
The Minnesota River is a tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately 332 miles long, in the U.S. state of Minnesota. It drains a watershed of nearly , in Minnesota and about in South Dakota and Iowa....
and enter downtown Shakopee, then turned east and proceeded just south of the Minnesota River to a junction with State Highway 13
Minnesota State Highway 13
Minnesota State Highway 13 is a highway in Minnesota that runs from its intersection with U.S. Highway 65 in Albert Lea to its northern terminus at its intersection with State Highway 149 at the West St...
in Savage
Savage, Minnesota
Savage is a suburban city south-southwest of downtown Minneapolis in Scott County in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city is situated on the south bank of the Minnesota River in a region commonly referred to as South of the River, comprising the southern portion of Minneapolis-St. Paul, the...
. The new U.S. Highway 169
U.S. Route 169 in Minnesota
U.S. Route 169 is a major north–south highway in the U.S. state of Minnesota, connecting the Minnesota River valley with the Twin Cities and the Iron Range. Much of the route is built to expressway or freeway standards.-Route description:U.S...
freeway bypass of Shakopee in 1996 meant that Highway 101 was no longer necessary to maintain as a state marked route east of downtown Shakopee. Interestingly, though, the section of old Highway 101 east of Highway 169 to Highway 13 at Savage is still maintained as a state highway, but not with a signed route number. Instead, it has the unmarked legislative route number of Highway 801-B. The 2004 Control Section Guide states that this section is considered part of the U.S. 169 / County 101 / Highway 13 interchange (at the Shakopee / Savage boundary line) and will not have a route or control section number.
The two sections of old State Highway 101 that were turned back to county maintenance between 1988 and 1997 are both signed now as County Road 101 in the present day, to maintain a unity in the eyes of the general public.
The most recent turnback occurred in 2011 when Highway 101 between U.S. 212 and State Highway 5 in Chanhassen was turned over to Carver County maintenance and re-signed as Carver County Road 101, using the white-rectangle county road sign format instead of the blue-pentagon signs used by Hennepin and Scott counties. This divides the southern section of State Highway 101 into two disjointed sections.
History
State Highway 101 was defined, along with many other routes, by Chapter 440 of the 1933 Minnesota Session Laws:Legislative Route No. 187. Beginning at a point on Legislative Route No. 18[ U.S. Highway 169U.S. Route 169 in MinnesotaU.S. Route 169 is a major north–south highway in the U.S. state of Minnesota, connecting the Minnesota River valley with the Twin Cities and the Iron Range. Much of the route is built to expressway or freeway standards.-Route description:U.S...
] at or near Elk River, thence extending in a southerly direction to a point on Legislative Route No. 117[ State Highway 13Minnesota State Highway 13Minnesota State Highway 13 is a highway in Minnesota that runs from its intersection with U.S. Highway 65 in Albert Lea to its northern terminus at its intersection with State Highway 149 at the West St...
] as herein established.
The Minnesota Department of Highways
Minnesota Department of Transportation
The Minnesota Department of Transportation oversees transportation by land, water, and air in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The cabinet-level agency is responsible for maintaining the state's trunk highway system The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT, pronounced "min-dot") oversees...
(now Mn/DOT) took over maintenance of the roadway in 1934. Highway 101 began at State Highway 13
Minnesota State Highway 13
Minnesota State Highway 13 is a highway in Minnesota that runs from its intersection with U.S. Highway 65 in Albert Lea to its northern terminus at its intersection with State Highway 149 at the West St...
in Savage
Savage, Minnesota
Savage is a suburban city south-southwest of downtown Minneapolis in Scott County in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city is situated on the south bank of the Minnesota River in a region commonly referred to as South of the River, comprising the southern portion of Minneapolis-St. Paul, the...
, at the intersection of Dakota Avenue and McColl Drive, and ran west on McColl Drive and Eagle Creek Boulevard to downtown Shakopee
Shakopee, Minnesota
Shakopee is a city southwest of downtown Minneapolis in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Scott County. Located on the south bank bend of the Minnesota River, Shakopee and nearby suburbs comprise the southwest portion of Minneapolis-Saint Paul, the thirteenth largest...
. Old Highway 101 crossed the Minnesota River
Minnesota River
The Minnesota River is a tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately 332 miles long, in the U.S. state of Minnesota. It drains a watershed of nearly , in Minnesota and about in South Dakota and Iowa....
with U.S. Highway 169
U.S. Route 169 in Minnesota
U.S. Route 169 is a major north–south highway in the U.S. state of Minnesota, connecting the Minnesota River valley with the Twin Cities and the Iron Range. Much of the route is built to expressway or freeway standards.-Route description:U.S...
, and crossed U.S. Highway 212
U.S. Route 212 in Minnesota
Within the U.S. state of Minnesota, U.S. Highway 212 travels from the South Dakota state line in the west, crossing the southwestern part of the state, to the Minneapolis – Saint Paul metropolitan area in the east, ending at its interchange with U.S. 169 and State Highway 62 in the Minneapolis...
along the present day Carver County portion of Highway 101. From Shakopee to near Rogers
Rogers, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,588 people, 1,195 households, and 982 families residing in the city. The population density was 715.1 people per square mile . There were 1,245 housing units at an average density of 248.1 per square mile...
, the original routing of Highway 101 matched the present day State Highway 101 and County Road 101 except in downtown Chanhassen
Chanhassen, Minnesota
Chanhassen is a city in Carver and Hennepin counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota. It is southwest of Minneapolis. The population was 22,952 at the 2010 census....
, where old 101 had followed Great Plains Boulevard and 78th Street (the later State Highway 5
Minnesota State Highway 5
Minnesota State Highway 5 is a highway in Minnesota, which runs from its intersection with State Highways 19 and 22 in Gaylord and continues east and northeast to its eastern terminus at its interchange with State Highway 36 and Washington County Road 5 in Stillwater...
), in downtown Wayzata
Wayzata, Minnesota
Wayzata is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States, a western suburb of Minneapolis. Wayzata came into existence in the center of Chief Shakopee's Indian village.-Early settlement:...
, where old 101 followed LaSalle Street to Central Avenue, and on the State Highway 55
Minnesota State Highway 55
Minnesota State Highway 55 is a highway in west-central, central, and east-central Minnesota, which runs from the North Dakota state line near Tenney and continues east and southeast to its eastern terminus at its intersection with U.S...
/ 101 concurrency
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
at Plymouth
Plymouth, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 65,894 people, 24,820 households, and 17,647 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,002.0 persons per square mile . There were 25,258 housing units at an average density of 767.4 per square mile...
/ Medina
Medina, Minnesota
Medina is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 4,892 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water...
, which was along Old Rockford Road and Hamel Road. Instead of using old State Highway 152
Minnesota State Highway 152
Minnesota State Highway 152 was a highway in Minnesota, connecting the cities of St. Cloud and Minneapolis. It ran parallel to U.S. Route 52 and its route number derives from this. It originally began at U.S. 52 in St. Cloud and ran to U.S. 52 in Minneapolis, at the intersection of Washington...
(now County Road 81
County Road 81 (Hennepin County, Minnesota)
County State-Aid Highway 81 or County Road 81 is a county highway in Hennepin County, Minnesota, which runs from its junction with Interstate 94 , CR 66, and CR 152 in the city of Minneapolis, and continues northwest to its terminus at Main Street in suburban...
) into Rogers, old Highway 101 continued north on Brockton Avenue (now County 13) and crossed the Crow River
Crow River (Minnesota)
The Crow River is a tributary of the Mississippi River in south-central Minnesota in the United States. It drains a watershed of 2,756 square miles .-Hydrography:The Crow River flows for most of its length as three streams:...
at its mouth, then heading northwest and north on River Road and Parrish Avenue to the Parrish Avenue Bridge over the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. Upon crossing the bridge, old Highway 101 entered Elk River
Elk River, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,447 people, 5,664 households, and 4,400 families residing in the city. Recent estimates show the population at 21,329 as of 2005. The population density was 385.5 people per square mile . There were 5,782 housing units at an average density of 135.5 per...
and immediately ended at U.S. Highway 10
U.S. Route 10 in Minnesota
U.S. Route 10 is a major divided highway for almost all of its length in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The route runs through the central portion of the state, following closely the alignment of the former Northern Pacific Railway and connects the cities of Moorhead, Detroit Lakes, Wadena, Little...
and U.S. Highway 169
U.S. Route 169 in Minnesota
U.S. Route 169 is a major north–south highway in the U.S. state of Minnesota, connecting the Minnesota River valley with the Twin Cities and the Iron Range. Much of the route is built to expressway or freeway standards.-Route description:U.S...
via short pieces of Main Street and Jackson Avenue.
The U.S. Highway 169 bypass east of downtown Elk River
Elk River, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,447 people, 5,664 households, and 4,400 families residing in the city. Recent estimates show the population at 21,329 as of 2005. The population density was 385.5 people per square mile . There were 5,782 housing units at an average density of 135.5 per...
was built in 1961, and old Highway 101 was extended north on old Highway 169 (Jackson Avenue) to the north end of the bypass. Later, in 1968, the bypass was extended south to old State Highway 152
Minnesota State Highway 152
Minnesota State Highway 152 was a highway in Minnesota, connecting the cities of St. Cloud and Minneapolis. It ran parallel to U.S. Route 52 and its route number derives from this. It originally began at U.S. 52 in St. Cloud and ran to U.S. 52 in Minneapolis, at the intersection of Washington...
in Rogers
Rogers, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,588 people, 1,195 households, and 982 families residing in the city. The population density was 715.1 people per square mile . There were 1,245 housing units at an average density of 248.1 per square mile...
, and Highway 101 was realigned to be concurrent
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
with old Highway 152 and use the new bypass from Rogers north to Elk River. The original alignment of Highway 101 was turned over to the counties (renumbered as County 13 / Brockton Avenue in northern Hennepin County and County 42 in Wright County), and the extension north of downtown Elk River was renumbered State Highway 201 until 1987. Highway 101 was realigned to the present day County Road 101 between Savage and downtown Shakopee in 1940. In 1964, the State Highway 5
Minnesota State Highway 5
Minnesota State Highway 5 is a highway in Minnesota, which runs from its intersection with State Highways 19 and 22 in Gaylord and continues east and northeast to its eastern terminus at its interchange with State Highway 36 and Washington County Road 5 in Stillwater...
bypass of downtown Chanhassen was built, but Highway 101 remained on the old route until the 1980s, when it was moved to the bypass. The relocation of State Highway 55
Minnesota State Highway 55
Minnesota State Highway 55 is a highway in west-central, central, and east-central Minnesota, which runs from the North Dakota state line near Tenney and continues east and southeast to its eastern terminus at its intersection with U.S...
at Plymouth / Medina, and with it the brief Highway 55 / 101 concurrency
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
, came in 1942 west of and 1954 east of the intersection with the old alignment.