U.S. Route 52 in Iowa
Encyclopedia
U.S. Route 52 is a 166 miles (267.2 km) long United States highway in northeast Iowa
. The route begins at the Savanna–Sabula Bridge over the Mississippi River
between Sabula
and Savanna, Illinois
. From Sabula, it heads north along the Mississippi towards Bellevue
and Dubuque
. At Dubuque, US 52 briefly shares an expressway
with U.S. Route 61 and U.S. Route 151
.
North of Dubuque, the route follows the course of the river and turns to the west. At Luxemburg
, it turns to the north towards Guttenberg
. It then heads northwest where it overlaps U.S. Route 18 for 15 miles (24.1 km). At Calmar
, US 52 turns to the north towards Decorah
. US 52 crosses into Minnesota
north of Burr Oak
.
Despite its even number, US 52 is signed as a north–south route. According to the layout of the U.S. Highway System, even-numbered routes are generally signed as east–west routes.
north of Sabula
. After descending the bridge, the two routes turn to the south and travel along a narrow, 2+1/2 mi long causeway
through the Mississippi backwater
s. The two routes pass through Sabula, a city known as Iowa's island city, and turn west crossing another causeway to the mainland. Upon rising from the river valley, US 52 / Iowa 64 meet the northern end of U.S. Route 67. Iowa 64 continues west with US 67, while US 52 turns north to follow the river.
Between Sabula and Bellevue
, US 52 follows the course of the Mississippi River. The roadway gradually enters the Driftless Area, a region of the midwestern United States
which escaped glaciation during the last glacial period. Near the unincorporated community of Green Island
, the highway passes through terrain where the elevation ranges from 600–800 ft (182.9–243.8 ) above sea level
. North of Green Island, where it crosses the Maquoketa River
, US 52 follows the bluffs along the Mississippi River valley. The Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad
(ICE Railroad) which runs parallel to US 52 between Green Island and Bellevue, in locations, lies 50 feet (15.2 m) below the road as the roadway follows the bluffs while the railroad tracks stay in the flat valley.
At Bellevue
, US 52 runs along the city's riverfront and passes Lock and Dam No. 12
. North of Bellevue, it turns to the northwest and rises 400 feet (121.9 m) in elevation and then descends 300 feet (91.4 m) at St. Donatus
. North of St. Donatus, the highway travels 10 miles (16.1 km) and enters the Dubuque
area and intersects U.S. Route 61 and U.S. Route 151
.
The three routes head to the north towards downtown Dubuque. Shortly after a diamond interchange with Grandview Avenue, the three routes curve to the east and encounter a partial diamond interchange with Locust Street, which provides direct access to U.S. Route 20. The expressway curves back to the north, passes underneath the Julien Dubuque Bridge
, and intersects a connector road which allows southbound traffic to access US 20. The expressway rises above ground level and heads towards Wisconsin
, but US 52 exits at the 9th and 11th Streets exit. The exit also serves as the eastern end of Iowa Highway 3.
Through Dubuque, US 52 / Iowa 3 follow one-way streets for 1+1/4 mi. Northbound traffic follows 11th Street before turning onto White Street. Southbound traffic follows Central Avenue before turning onto 9th Street. The one-way streets realign onto Central Avenue, on which the routes stay for the rest of their time in Dubuque. South of Sageville
, the two highways intersect Dubuque's Northwest Arterial, which carries Iowa Highway 32. North of Sageville, US 52 / Iowa 3 turn to the west along a particularly curvy and dangerous section of the road between Luxemburg
and Dubuque. In a study conducted by the Center for Transportation Research and Education at Iowa State University
, between 2002 and 2006, over 240 accidents with 6 fatalities occurred on this section. The road rises from the Driftless Area near Holy Cross
and continues to Luxemburg.
At Luxemburg
, US 52 and Iowa 3 split at an intersection with Iowa Highway 136. From Luxemburg, US 52 heads north towards Guttenberg
. As it approaches the Mississippi River, the road reenters the Driftless Area. After crossing the Turkey River
, the highway rises nearly 300 feet (91.4 m) in elevation before descending again at Guttenberg. North of Guttenberg, US 52 rises out of the Mississippi valley and travels west and then northwest away from the river. North of Garnavillo
, it intersects Iowa 128
, which serves as a cutoff
to Iowa 13 near Elkader
. Eight miles (8 miles (12.9 km)) later, it intersects Iowa 13 at its northern end.
One mile (1.6 km) north of the Iowa 13 intersection, US 52 intersects U.S. Route 18. Between this location and Calmar, US 52 runs parallel to the ICE Railroad. The two highways travel together to the northwest for 17 miles (27.4 km) through Monona
and Postville
. At Postville, US 18 / US 52 intersect Iowa Highway 51
. On the west side of Postville, US 52 splits away from US 18 and heads to the northwest towards Calmar
. At Calmar, US 52 turns to the north at an intersection which is also the eastern end of Iowa Highway 24
and the northern end of Iowa Highway 150
. It heads to the north-northeast for 9 miles (14.5 km) to an intersection with Iowa Highway 9 on the southwest side of Decorah
. From Iowa 9, the route crosses the Upper Iowa River
near the Luther College
campus. It heads north past the unincorporated community of Burr Oak
. 2 miles (3.2 km) north of Burr Oak, US 52 crosses the state line into Minnesota
.
from Primary Road No. 117 near Sabula
to the Minnesota
state line north of Burr Oak
. US 52 crossed the Mississippi River
at the recently-constructed Savanna–Sabula Bridge, which opened in 1932. The section of old-US 55 from Primary Road No. 117 to Dubuque was overlapped
by U.S. Route 67 until 1967 when US 67 was truncated back to the intersection with US 52 on Iowa 64.
From 1963 to 1967, US 52 was realigned from Dubuque
to Luxemburg
to follow U.S. Route 20 to Dyersville
and Iowa Highway 136 to Luxemburg while its original alignment was rebuilt. During this time, Iowa 136, which ended at US 52 in Luxemburg, was truncated back to US 20 at Dyersville, but it was redesignated along this segment after US 52 returned to its old alignment.
In the mid-1990s, in Dubuque were shifted onto a new expressway through downtown Dubuque, which caused the three U.S. highways to no longer intersect US 20 directly. Iowa Highway 946 was designated as a connector route to provide direct access to US 20 from the three U.S. highways.
grocery store.
Iowa 946 intersects U.S. Route 20, known locally as Dodge Street, at a signal-controlled intersection. Immediately east of this intersection is the approach to the Julien Dubuque Bridge
, which carries US 20 across the Mississippi River into East Dubuque, Illinois
. Iowa 946 continues north on Locust for 1000 feet (304.8 m) through another light industrial area. At the edge of downtown Dubuque, Highway 946 turns east for 600 feet (182.9 m) where it meets US 52 / just west of Dubuque's Ice Harbor.
Iowa 946 was created along Locust Street upon the completion of an expressway which relocated U.S. Route 52, U.S. Route 61, and U.S. Route 151
away from Locust Street and closer to the Mississippi River
. The new expressway carried the three routes beneath the approach to the Julien Dubuque Bridge, making a direct intersection impossible. Since all four routes are U.S. Highways and come from all directions, it was imperative to keep the routes connected.
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. The route begins at the Savanna–Sabula 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...
between Sabula
Sabula, Iowa
Sabula is a city in Jackson County, Iowa, United States. The population was 670 at the 2000 census. Sabula is the site of Iowa's only island city. The island has a beach and a campground. It also has a harbor with boat docks and storage sheds to store some boats during the winter...
and Savanna, Illinois
Savanna, Illinois
Savanna is a city in Carroll County, Illinois, United States. The population was 3,062 at the 2010 census, down from 3,542 at the 2000 census. Savanna is located along the Mississippi River at the mouth of the Plum River. Going from north to south, the second automobile bridge between Iowa and...
. From Sabula, it heads north along the Mississippi towards Bellevue
Bellevue, Iowa
Bellevue is a city in Jackson County, Iowa, United States. The population was 2,350 at the 2000 census. The city lies along the Mississippi River , next to Bellevue State Park....
and Dubuque
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
. At Dubuque, US 52 briefly shares an expressway
Limited-access road
A limited-access road known by various terms worldwide, including limited-access highway, dual-carriageway and expressway, is a highway or arterial road for high-speed traffic which has many or most characteristics of a controlled-access highway , including limited or no access to adjacent...
with U.S. Route 61 and U.S. Route 151
U.S. Route 151
U.S. Route 151 is a U.S. Highway that runs through the states of Iowa and Wisconsin. The southern terminus for U.S. 151 is at a junction with Interstate 80 in Iowa County, Iowa, and its northern terminus is at Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The route, from south to north follows a northeasterly path through...
.
North of Dubuque, the route follows the course of the river and turns to the west. At Luxemburg
Luxemburg, Iowa
Luxemburg is a city in Dubuque County, Iowa, United States. It is part of the 'Dubuque, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 246 at the 2000 census...
, it turns to the north towards Guttenberg
Guttenberg, Iowa
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,987 people, 837 households, and 534 families residing in the city. The population density was 962.3 people per square mile . There were 935 housing units at an average density of 452.8 per square mile...
. It then heads northwest where it overlaps U.S. Route 18 for 15 miles (24.1 km). At Calmar
Calmar, Iowa
Calmar is a city in Winneshiek County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,058 at the 2000 census. It is located at the junction of U.S. Highway 52 and State highways 150 and 24...
, US 52 turns to the north towards Decorah
Decorah, Iowa
Decorah is a city in and the county seat of Winneshiek County, Iowa, United States. The population was 8,172 at the 2000 census. Decorah is located at the intersection of State Highway 9 and U.S...
. US 52 crosses into 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...
north of Burr Oak
Burr Oak, Iowa
Burr Oak is a small unincorporated community in Winneshiek County, Iowa, United States, very close to the Minnesota state line. Burr Oak is a census-designated place and the population was 166 in the 2010 census -History:...
.
Despite its even number, US 52 is signed as a north–south route. According to the layout of the U.S. Highway System, even-numbered routes are generally signed as east–west routes.
Route description
U.S. Route 52 begins in Iowa with Iowa Highway 64 on the Savanna–Sabula Bridge over the Mississippi RiverMississippi 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...
north of Sabula
Sabula, Iowa
Sabula is a city in Jackson County, Iowa, United States. The population was 670 at the 2000 census. Sabula is the site of Iowa's only island city. The island has a beach and a campground. It also has a harbor with boat docks and storage sheds to store some boats during the winter...
. After descending the bridge, the two routes turn to the south and travel along a narrow, 2+1/2 mi long causeway
Causeway
In modern usage, a causeway is a road or railway elevated, usually across a broad body of water or wetland.- Etymology :When first used, the word appeared in a form such as “causey way” making clear its derivation from the earlier form “causey”. This word seems to have come from the same source by...
through the Mississippi backwater
Backwater (river)
A backwater is a part of a river in which there is little or no current. It refers either to a branch of a main river which lies alongside it and then rejoins it or to a body of water in a main river which is backed up by an obstruction such as the tide or a dam.-Alternative channel:If a river has...
s. The two routes pass through Sabula, a city known as Iowa's island city, and turn west crossing another causeway to the mainland. Upon rising from the river valley, US 52 / Iowa 64 meet the northern end of U.S. Route 67. Iowa 64 continues west with US 67, while US 52 turns north to follow the river.
Between Sabula and Bellevue
Bellevue, Iowa
Bellevue is a city in Jackson County, Iowa, United States. The population was 2,350 at the 2000 census. The city lies along the Mississippi River , next to Bellevue State Park....
, US 52 follows the course of the Mississippi River. The roadway gradually enters the Driftless Area, a region of the midwestern United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
which escaped glaciation during the last glacial period. Near the unincorporated community of Green Island
Green Island, Iowa
Green Island is an unincorporated community in Jackson County, Iowa, United States....
, the highway passes through terrain where the elevation ranges from 600–800 ft (182.9–243.8 ) above sea level
Sea level
Mean sea level is a measure of the average height of the ocean's surface ; used as a standard in reckoning land elevation...
. North of Green Island, where it crosses the Maquoketa River
Maquoketa River
The Maquoketa River is a tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately long, in northeastern Iowa in the United States. Its watershed covers within a rural region of rolling hills and farmland southwest of Dubuque. It is not to be confused with the Little Maquoketa River, another distinct...
, US 52 follows the bluffs along the Mississippi River valley. The Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad
Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad
The Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad was a Class II railroad operating in the north central United States. It has been controlled by the Canadian Pacific Railway and operated as a part of its system since October 30, 2008...
(ICE Railroad) which runs parallel to US 52 between Green Island and Bellevue, in locations, lies 50 feet (15.2 m) below the road as the roadway follows the bluffs while the railroad tracks stay in the flat valley.
At Bellevue
Bellevue, Iowa
Bellevue is a city in Jackson County, Iowa, United States. The population was 2,350 at the 2000 census. The city lies along the Mississippi River , next to Bellevue State Park....
, US 52 runs along the city's riverfront and passes Lock and Dam No. 12
Lock and Dam No. 12
Lock and Dam No. 12 is a lock and dam located on the Upper Mississippi River at Bellevue, Iowa, United States. The movable portion of the dam starts at the locks adjacent to the Iowa shore and is long, consisting of seven tainter gates and three roller gates...
. North of Bellevue, it turns to the northwest and rises 400 feet (121.9 m) in elevation and then descends 300 feet (91.4 m) at St. Donatus
St. Donatus, Iowa
St. Donatus is a city in Jackson County, Iowa, United States. The population was 140 at the 2000 census. St. Donatus is known for its status as a Luxembourger village, with historic architecture and views along U.S. Highway 52. It is the home of a historic Catholic church, which is dedicated to...
. North of St. Donatus, the highway travels 10 miles (16.1 km) and enters the Dubuque
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
area and intersects U.S. Route 61 and U.S. Route 151
U.S. Route 151
U.S. Route 151 is a U.S. Highway that runs through the states of Iowa and Wisconsin. The southern terminus for U.S. 151 is at a junction with Interstate 80 in Iowa County, Iowa, and its northern terminus is at Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The route, from south to north follows a northeasterly path through...
.
The three routes head to the north towards downtown Dubuque. Shortly after a diamond interchange with Grandview Avenue, the three routes curve to the east and encounter a partial diamond interchange with Locust Street, which provides direct access to U.S. Route 20. The expressway curves back to the north, passes underneath the Julien Dubuque Bridge
Julien Dubuque Bridge
The Julien Dubuque Bridge traverses the Mississippi River. It joins the cities of Dubuque, Iowa, and East Dubuque, Illinois. The bridge is part of the U.S. Highway 20 route...
, and intersects a connector road which allows southbound traffic to access US 20. The expressway rises above ground level and heads towards Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, but US 52 exits at the 9th and 11th Streets exit. The exit also serves as the eastern end of Iowa Highway 3.
Through Dubuque, US 52 / Iowa 3 follow one-way streets for 1+1/4 mi. Northbound traffic follows 11th Street before turning onto White Street. Southbound traffic follows Central Avenue before turning onto 9th Street. The one-way streets realign onto Central Avenue, on which the routes stay for the rest of their time in Dubuque. South of Sageville
Sageville, Iowa
Sageville is a city in Dubuque County, Iowa, United States. The population was 203 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Sageville is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, the two highways intersect Dubuque's Northwest Arterial, which carries Iowa Highway 32. North of Sageville, US 52 / Iowa 3 turn to the west along a particularly curvy and dangerous section of the road between Luxemburg
Luxemburg, Iowa
Luxemburg is a city in Dubuque County, Iowa, United States. It is part of the 'Dubuque, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 246 at the 2000 census...
and Dubuque. In a study conducted by the Center for Transportation Research and Education at Iowa State University
Iowa State University
Iowa State University of Science and Technology, more commonly known as Iowa State University , is a public land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa, United States. Iowa State has produced astronauts, scientists, and Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, along with a host of...
, between 2002 and 2006, over 240 accidents with 6 fatalities occurred on this section. The road rises from the Driftless Area near Holy Cross
Holy Cross, Iowa
Holy Cross is a city in Dubuque County, Iowa, United States. It is part of the 'Dubuque, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 339 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Holy Cross is located at ....
and continues to Luxemburg.
At Luxemburg
Luxemburg, Iowa
Luxemburg is a city in Dubuque County, Iowa, United States. It is part of the 'Dubuque, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 246 at the 2000 census...
, US 52 and Iowa 3 split at an intersection with Iowa Highway 136. From Luxemburg, US 52 heads north towards Guttenberg
Guttenberg, Iowa
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,987 people, 837 households, and 534 families residing in the city. The population density was 962.3 people per square mile . There were 935 housing units at an average density of 452.8 per square mile...
. As it approaches the Mississippi River, the road reenters the Driftless Area. After crossing the Turkey River
Turkey River (Iowa)
The Turkey River is a tributary of the upper Mississippi River. Its main branch rises in Howard County, Iowa, near the city of Cresco. The other counties it or its tributaries cover are Chickasaw, Winneshiek, Fayette, Clayton, Delaware, and Dubuque....
, the highway rises nearly 300 feet (91.4 m) in elevation before descending again at Guttenberg. North of Guttenberg, US 52 rises out of the Mississippi valley and travels west and then northwest away from the river. North of Garnavillo
Garnavillo, Iowa
Garnavillo is a city in Clayton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 754 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Garnavillo is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, it intersects Iowa 128
Iowa Highway 128
Iowa Highway 128 is a highway entirely within Clayton County, in northeastern Iowa. Its western terminus is at Iowa Highway 13 northeast of Elkader. Its eastern terminus is at U.S. Route 52 north of Garnavillo. Iowa 128's route remains the same as when it was first designated.-Route...
, which serves as a cutoff
Cutoff
In theoretical physics, cutoff is an arbitrary maximal or minimal value of energy, momentum, or length, used in order that objects with larger or smaller values than these physical quantities are ignored in some calculation...
to Iowa 13 near Elkader
Elkader, Iowa
Elkader is a city in Clayton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,465 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Clayton County.-History:The city is named after Algerian leader Abd al-Qadir al-Jaza'iri...
. Eight miles (8 miles (12.9 km)) later, it intersects Iowa 13 at its northern end.
One mile (1.6 km) north of the Iowa 13 intersection, US 52 intersects U.S. Route 18. Between this location and Calmar, US 52 runs parallel to the ICE Railroad. The two highways travel together to the northwest for 17 miles (27.4 km) through Monona
Monona, Iowa
Monona is a city in Clayton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,550 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Monona is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
and Postville
Postville, Iowa
Postville is a city in Allamakee and Clayton Counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. It lies near the junction of four counties and at the intersection of U.S. Routes 18 and 52 and Iowa Highway 51, with airport facilities in the neighboring communities of Waukon, Decorah, Monona, and Prairie du Chien....
. At Postville, US 18 / US 52 intersect Iowa Highway 51
Iowa Highway 51
Iowa Highway 51 is a state highway that runs from north to south in northeast Iowa. Contained entirely by Allamakee County, it is only in length. Its southern terminus is at U.S. Highway 52 and U.S. Highway 18 in Postville. Its northern terminus is at Iowa Highway 9 near Waukon.-Route...
. On the west side of Postville, US 52 splits away from US 18 and heads to the northwest towards Calmar
Calmar, Iowa
Calmar is a city in Winneshiek County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,058 at the 2000 census. It is located at the junction of U.S. Highway 52 and State highways 150 and 24...
. At Calmar, US 52 turns to the north at an intersection which is also the eastern end of Iowa Highway 24
Iowa Highway 24
Iowa Highway 24 is a state highway that runs from west to east in northeast Iowa. It has a length of .-Route description:Iowa Highway 24 begins at New Hampton at a freeway interchange with U.S. Highway 63 and U.S. Highway 18. It goes east through New Hampton, then continues east to Lawler. It...
and the northern end of Iowa Highway 150
Iowa Highway 150
Iowa Highway 150 is a highway in eastern and northeastern Iowa. It is a north–south highway with a length of . The southern terminus of Iowa Highway 150 is at an intersection with U.S. Route 218 in Vinton. Its northern terminus is in Calmar at an intersection with U.S. Route 52 and Iowa...
. It heads to the north-northeast for 9 miles (14.5 km) to an intersection with Iowa Highway 9 on the southwest side of Decorah
Decorah, Iowa
Decorah is a city in and the county seat of Winneshiek County, Iowa, United States. The population was 8,172 at the 2000 census. Decorah is located at the intersection of State Highway 9 and U.S...
. From Iowa 9, the route crosses the Upper Iowa River
Upper Iowa River
The Upper Iowa River is a tributary of the Mississippi River in the upper Midwest of the United States.Its headwaters are in southeastern Minnesota, in Mower County near the border with Iowa. It then flows through the Iowa counties of Howard, Winneshiek, and Allamakee, and finally into the Upper...
near the Luther College
Luther College (Iowa)
Luther College is a four-year, residential liberal arts institution of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, located in Decorah, Iowa, USA...
campus. It heads north past the unincorporated community of Burr Oak
Burr Oak, Iowa
Burr Oak is a small unincorporated community in Winneshiek County, Iowa, United States, very close to the Minnesota state line. Burr Oak is a census-designated place and the population was 166 in the 2010 census -History:...
. 2 miles (3.2 km) north of Burr Oak, US 52 crosses the state line into 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...
.
History
U.S. Route 52 was designated in Iowa in 1935, replacing U.S. Route 55U.S. Route 55
U.S. Route 55 was a north–south United States highway. Despite the "5" in its route number, US 55 was never a long route. Though it was part of the original 1926 numbering plan, it was deleted within 10 years.-Route description:...
from Primary Road No. 117 near Sabula
Sabula, Iowa
Sabula is a city in Jackson County, Iowa, United States. The population was 670 at the 2000 census. Sabula is the site of Iowa's only island city. The island has a beach and a campground. It also has a harbor with boat docks and storage sheds to store some boats during the winter...
to the 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...
state line north of Burr Oak
Burr Oak, Iowa
Burr Oak is a small unincorporated community in Winneshiek County, Iowa, United States, very close to the Minnesota state line. Burr Oak is a census-designated place and the population was 166 in the 2010 census -History:...
. US 52 crossed 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...
at the recently-constructed Savanna–Sabula Bridge, which opened in 1932. The section of old-US 55 from Primary Road No. 117 to Dubuque was overlapped
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...
by U.S. Route 67 until 1967 when US 67 was truncated back to the intersection with US 52 on Iowa 64.
From 1963 to 1967, US 52 was realigned from Dubuque
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
to Luxemburg
Luxemburg, Iowa
Luxemburg is a city in Dubuque County, Iowa, United States. It is part of the 'Dubuque, Iowa Metropolitan Statistical Area'. The population was 246 at the 2000 census...
to follow U.S. Route 20 to Dyersville
Dyersville, Iowa
Dyersville is a city in eastern Delaware and western Dubuque Counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. It is part of the Dubuque, Iowa, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 4,035 at the 2000 census and was estimated to be 4,167 in 2006....
and Iowa Highway 136 to Luxemburg while its original alignment was rebuilt. During this time, Iowa 136, which ended at US 52 in Luxemburg, was truncated back to US 20 at Dyersville, but it was redesignated along this segment after US 52 returned to its old alignment.
In the mid-1990s, in Dubuque were shifted onto a new expressway through downtown Dubuque, which caused the three U.S. highways to no longer intersect US 20 directly. Iowa Highway 946 was designated as a connector route to provide direct access to US 20 from the three U.S. highways.
Major intersections
Related route
Iowa Highway 946's short route begins at a partial trumpet interchange along the expressway. Northbound traffic passes beneath the expressway and joins southbound traffic on Locust Street. In the half-mile (0.5 miles (804.7 m)) between US 52 / US 61 / US 151 and US 20, Iowa 946 passes a light industrial area containing a Hy-VeeHy-Vee
Hy-Vee is an employee-owned chain of supermarkets located in the Midwestern United States. Over 100 of its supermarkets are located in Iowa, with additional stores in Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and now Madison, Wisconsin...
grocery store.
Iowa 946 intersects U.S. Route 20, known locally as Dodge Street, at a signal-controlled intersection. Immediately east of this intersection is the approach to the Julien Dubuque Bridge
Julien Dubuque Bridge
The Julien Dubuque Bridge traverses the Mississippi River. It joins the cities of Dubuque, Iowa, and East Dubuque, Illinois. The bridge is part of the U.S. Highway 20 route...
, which carries US 20 across the Mississippi River into East Dubuque, Illinois
East Dubuque, Illinois
East Dubuque is a city in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,704 at the 2010 census, down from 1,995 at the 2000 census. East Dubuque is located alongside the Mississippi River. Across the river is the city of Dubuque, Iowa. About three miles north of the city is the...
. Iowa 946 continues north on Locust for 1000 feet (304.8 m) through another light industrial area. At the edge of downtown Dubuque, Highway 946 turns east for 600 feet (182.9 m) where it meets US 52 / just west of Dubuque's Ice Harbor.
Iowa 946 was created along Locust Street upon the completion of an expressway which relocated U.S. Route 52, U.S. Route 61, and U.S. Route 151
U.S. Route 151
U.S. Route 151 is a U.S. Highway that runs through the states of Iowa and Wisconsin. The southern terminus for U.S. 151 is at a junction with Interstate 80 in Iowa County, Iowa, and its northern terminus is at Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The route, from south to north follows a northeasterly path through...
away from Locust Street and closer to 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...
. The new expressway carried the three routes beneath the approach to the Julien Dubuque Bridge, making a direct intersection impossible. Since all four routes are U.S. Highways and come from all directions, it was imperative to keep the routes connected.