U.S. Route 2 in Minnesota
Encyclopedia
U.S. Highway 2 is a highway
in northwest and northeast Minnesota
, which runs from the Red River
at East Grand Forks
and continues east to Duluth
, where the route crosses the Richard I. Bong Memorial Bridge
over the Saint Louis Bay
. The route connects the cities of East Grand Forks
, Bemidji
, Grand Rapids
, and Duluth
.
Of the 266 miles (428.1 km) of U.S. 2 in Minnesota, 146 miles (235 km) have four lanes, mostly located in the northwest part of the state.
, at the Red River
. From the North Dakota
state line to Cass Lake
, US 2 is a four lane divided highway
for 146 miles (235 km). This expressway portion of US 2 in northwest Minnesota passes through the cities of East Grand Forks, Crookston
, Erskine
, Fosston
, Bagley
, Bemidji
, and Cass Lake
.
The portion of US 2 from Bemidji to Cass Lake is officially designated the Paul Bunyan
Expressway.
After Cass Lake, US 2 continues east as a two lane road for 40 miles to Deer River.
East of Deer River
, US 2 is a four lane divided highway
for seven miles (11 km) until the city of Grand Rapids
, where it has a junction
with US 169
.
US 2 then heads southeast as a two lane road for 59 miles (95 km) to the unincorporated area of Saginaw
, where it has an interchange
with State Highway 33
(MN 33). The route then continues east for two miles to its intersection
with MN 194
at Solway Township.
US 2 then continues southeast for 12 miles (19.3 km) before entering the city of Proctor
, where it is the main street through town. The route widens to a four-lane road as it approaches its intersection with Boundary Avenue (County Road 14).
The route enters the city limits of Duluth
, where it has a junction with Interstate 35
(I-35), US 2 joins that route's freeway. US 2 is concurrent
with I-35 for two miles (3.2 km) in West Duluth
, proceeding down Thompson Hill.
US 2 then exits the I-35 freeway in West Duluth and crosses the Richard I. Bong Memorial Bridge
over the Saint Louis Bay
, entering the state of Wisconsin
and the city of Superior
. US 2 then follows Belknap Street in Superior.
Legally, the Minnesota section of US 2 is defined as Routes 8 and 203 in the Minnesota Statutes §§ 161.114(2) and 161.115(134). The route is not marked with those numbers.
with U.S. Route 75
north of Crookston and from its junction with then-Trunk Highway 11 (present-day U.S. 53) through Duluth. The remainder was graveled or graded, except for a section west of Bagley which was simply a maintained dirt surface.
The route in Minnesota was completely paved in 1939. The last segment to be completed was between then-State Highway 94 (now Highway 194
) and the community of Adolph.
A few short (four-lane) divided highway
segments of US 2 were constructed west of Bemidji
during the 1960s.
In the present day, from East Grand Forks
to Cass Lake
, this route is built to expressway
standards and a posted 65 miles per hour (29.1 m/s) speed limit. From Cass Lake to Duluth
, there are only a couple of short four-lane divided highway
segments, but the non-urban portions of this segment are posted 60 mi/h speed limit.
|colspan=2 align='center'|Red River of the North
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Highway
A highway is any public road. In American English, the term is common and almost always designates major roads. In British English, the term designates any road open to the public. Any interconnected set of highways can be variously referred to as a "highway system", a "highway network", or a...
in northwest and northeast 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...
, which runs from the Red River
Red River of the North
The Red River is a North American river. Originating at the confluence of the Bois de Sioux and Otter Tail rivers in the United States, it flows northward through the Red River Valley and forms the border between the U.S. states of Minnesota and North Dakota before continuing into Manitoba, Canada...
at East Grand Forks
East Grand Forks, Minnesota
-K-12:The East Grand Forks School District enrolls over 1,000 students and operates two elementary schools , Central Middle School, and East Grand Forks Senior High School. There are also two private Christian schools. Sacred Heart School is a Roman Catholic elementary, middle, and high school...
and continues east to Duluth
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
, where the route crosses the Richard I. Bong Memorial Bridge
Richard I. Bong Memorial Bridge
The Richard I. Bong Memorial Bridge, also known as the Bong Bridge, connects Duluth, Minnesota with Superior, Wisconsin via U.S. Highway 2. Opened on October 25, 1985, it is roughly 11,800 feet long. About 8,300 feet of that length is actually over water. It crosses over the Saint Louis Bay...
over the Saint Louis Bay
Saint Louis River
The St. Louis River is a river in the U.S. states of Minnesota and Wisconsin that flows into Lake Superior. The largest U.S. river to flow into the lake, it is 179 miles in length and starts near Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota. The river's watershed is in area...
. The route connects the cities of East Grand Forks
East Grand Forks, Minnesota
-K-12:The East Grand Forks School District enrolls over 1,000 students and operates two elementary schools , Central Middle School, and East Grand Forks Senior High School. There are also two private Christian schools. Sacred Heart School is a Roman Catholic elementary, middle, and high school...
, Bemidji
Bemidji, Minnesota
Bemidji is a city in Beltrami County, Minnesota, United States. Its population was at 13,431 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Beltrami County. Bemidji is the most major city in North Central Minnesota and the largest commercial center between Grand Forks, North Dakota and Duluth,...
, Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,764 people, 3,446 households, and 1,943 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,057.8 people per square mile . There were 3,621 housing units at an average density of 493.3 per square mile...
, and Duluth
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
.
Of the 266 miles (428.1 km) of U.S. 2 in Minnesota, 146 miles (235 km) have four lanes, mostly located in the northwest part of the state.
Route description
US 2 enters the state from the west at the city of East Grand ForksEast Grand Forks, Minnesota
-K-12:The East Grand Forks School District enrolls over 1,000 students and operates two elementary schools , Central Middle School, and East Grand Forks Senior High School. There are also two private Christian schools. Sacred Heart School is a Roman Catholic elementary, middle, and high school...
, at the Red River
Red River of the North
The Red River is a North American river. Originating at the confluence of the Bois de Sioux and Otter Tail rivers in the United States, it flows northward through the Red River Valley and forms the border between the U.S. states of Minnesota and North Dakota before continuing into Manitoba, Canada...
. From the North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
state line to Cass Lake
Cass Lake, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 860 people, 331 households, and 192 families residing in the city. The population density was 753.2 people per square mile . There were 384 housing units at an average density of 336.3 per square mile . The racial makeup of the city was 30.12% White, 64.42%...
, US 2 is a four lane divided highway
Dual carriageway
A dual carriageway is a class of highway with two carriageways for traffic travelling in opposite directions separated by a central reservation...
for 146 miles (235 km). This expressway portion of US 2 in northwest Minnesota passes through the cities of East Grand Forks, Crookston
Crookston, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,192 people, 3,078 households, and 1,819 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,658.8 people per square mile . There were 3,382 housing units at an average density of 684.8 per square mile...
, Erskine
Erskine, Minnesota
Erskine is a city in Polk County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 503 at the 2010 census. It is part of the 'Grand Forks- ND-MN Metropolitan Statistical Area'.-Geography:...
, Fosston
Fosston, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,575 people, 681 households, and 379 families residing in the city. The population density was 969.1 people per square mile . There were 739 housing units at an average density of 454.7 per square mile...
, Bagley
Bagley, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,235 people, 993 households, and 795 families residing in the city. The population density was 674.1 people per square mile . There were 603 housing units at an average density of 329.1 per square mile...
, Bemidji
Bemidji, Minnesota
Bemidji is a city in Beltrami County, Minnesota, United States. Its population was at 13,431 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Beltrami County. Bemidji is the most major city in North Central Minnesota and the largest commercial center between Grand Forks, North Dakota and Duluth,...
, and Cass Lake
Cass Lake, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 860 people, 331 households, and 192 families residing in the city. The population density was 753.2 people per square mile . There were 384 housing units at an average density of 336.3 per square mile . The racial makeup of the city was 30.12% White, 64.42%...
.
The portion of US 2 from Bemidji to Cass Lake is officially designated the Paul Bunyan
Paul Bunyan
Paul Bunyan is a lumberjack figure in North American folklore and tradition. One of the most famous and popular North American folklore heroes, he is usually described as a giant as well as a lumberjack of unusual skill, and is often accompanied in stories by his animal companion, Babe the Blue...
Expressway.
After Cass Lake, US 2 continues east as a two lane road for 40 miles to Deer River.
East of Deer River
Deer River, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 903 people, 389 households, and 220 families residing in the city. The population density was 850.9 people per square mile . There were 415 housing units at an average density of 391.1 per square mile . The racial makeup of the city was 84.05% White, 12.07%...
, US 2 is a four lane divided highway
Dual carriageway
A dual carriageway is a class of highway with two carriageways for traffic travelling in opposite directions separated by a central reservation...
for seven miles (11 km) until the city of Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,764 people, 3,446 households, and 1,943 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,057.8 people per square mile . There were 3,621 housing units at an average density of 493.3 per square mile...
, where it has a junction
Junction (traffic)
A junction, when discussed in the context of transport, is a location where traffic can change between different routes, directions, or sometimes modes, of travel.-Historical significance:...
with US 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...
.
US 2 then heads southeast as a two lane road for 59 miles (95 km) to the unincorporated area of Saginaw
Saginaw, Minnesota
Saginaw is an unincorporated area and settlement in Saint Louis County, Minnesota, United States.Saginaw is located 18 miles northwest of the city of Duluth....
, where it has an interchange
Interchange (road)
In the field of road transport, an interchange is a road junction that typically uses grade separation, and one or more ramps, to permit traffic on at least one highway to pass through the junction without directly crossing any other traffic stream. It differs from a standard intersection, at which...
with State Highway 33
Minnesota State Highway 33
Minnesota State Highway 33 is a highway in northeast Minnesota, which runs from its interchange with Interstate 35 at Cloquet and continues north to its northern terminus at its interchange with U.S. Highway 53 at Independence...
(MN 33). The route then continues east for two miles to its intersection
Intersection (road)
An intersection is a road junction where two or more roads either meet or cross at grade . An intersection may be 3-way - a T junction or fork, 4-way - a crossroads, or 5-way or more...
with MN 194
Minnesota State Highway 194
Minnesota State Highway 194 is a highway in northeast Minnesota, which runs from its intersection with U.S. Highway 2 in Solway Township and continues east to its eastern terminus at its Mesaba Avenue interchange with Interstate Highway 35 in downtown Duluth. For part of its route, it runs...
at Solway Township.
US 2 then continues southeast for 12 miles (19.3 km) before entering the city of Proctor
Proctor, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,852 people, 1,196 households, and 772 families residing in the city. The population density was 942.8 people per square mile . There were 1,246 housing units at an average density of 411.9 per square mile...
, where it is the main street through town. The route widens to a four-lane road as it approaches its intersection with Boundary Avenue (County Road 14).
The route enters the city limits of Duluth
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
, where it has a junction with Interstate 35
Interstate 35 in Minnesota
In the U.S. state of Minnesota, Interstate 35 is a highway in southeast, east-central, and northeast Minnesota. The route runs north–south from the Iowa state line through the twin cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul; where it splits into Interstates 35E and 35W; and ends in the city of...
(I-35), US 2 joins that route's freeway. US 2 is 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 I-35 for two miles (3.2 km) in West Duluth
West Duluth
West Duluth refers to an official neighborhood district in the west-central part of Duluth, Minnesota, United States.Grand Avenue, Central Avenue, Cody Street, and Interstate Highway 35 are four of the main arterial routes in the community.-Neighborhoods:...
, proceeding down Thompson Hill.
US 2 then exits the I-35 freeway in West Duluth and crosses the Richard I. Bong Memorial Bridge
Richard I. Bong Memorial Bridge
The Richard I. Bong Memorial Bridge, also known as the Bong Bridge, connects Duluth, Minnesota with Superior, Wisconsin via U.S. Highway 2. Opened on October 25, 1985, it is roughly 11,800 feet long. About 8,300 feet of that length is actually over water. It crosses over the Saint Louis Bay...
over the Saint Louis Bay
Saint Louis River
The St. Louis River is a river in the U.S. states of Minnesota and Wisconsin that flows into Lake Superior. The largest U.S. river to flow into the lake, it is 179 miles in length and starts near Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota. The river's watershed is in area...
, entering the state of 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...
and the city of Superior
Superior, Wisconsin
Superior is a city in and the county seat of Douglas County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 26,960 at the 2010 census. Located at the junction of U.S. Highways 2 and 53, it is north of and adjacent to both the Village of Superior and the Town of Superior.Superior is at the western...
. US 2 then follows Belknap Street in Superior.
Legally, the Minnesota section of US 2 is defined as Routes 8 and 203 in the Minnesota Statutes §§ 161.114(2) and 161.115(134). The route is not marked with those numbers.
History
U.S. Highway 2 in Minnesota was authorized on November 11, 1926. It followed the route of state Trunk Highway 8 in its entirety. At the time it was marked, it was paved along a short concurrencyConcurrency (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 U.S. Route 75
U.S. Route 75
U.S. Route 75 is a north–south U.S. Highway. The highway's northern terminus is in Kittson County, Minnesota, at the Canadian border, where it continues as Manitoba Highway 75 on the other side of a closed border crossing. Its southern terminus is at Interstate 30 and Interstate 45 in Dallas,...
north of Crookston and from its junction with then-Trunk Highway 11 (present-day U.S. 53) through Duluth. The remainder was graveled or graded, except for a section west of Bagley which was simply a maintained dirt surface.
The route in Minnesota was completely paved in 1939. The last segment to be completed was between then-State Highway 94 (now Highway 194
Minnesota State Highway 194
Minnesota State Highway 194 is a highway in northeast Minnesota, which runs from its intersection with U.S. Highway 2 in Solway Township and continues east to its eastern terminus at its Mesaba Avenue interchange with Interstate Highway 35 in downtown Duluth. For part of its route, it runs...
) and the community of Adolph.
A few short (four-lane) divided highway
Dual carriageway
A dual carriageway is a class of highway with two carriageways for traffic travelling in opposite directions separated by a central reservation...
segments of US 2 were constructed west of Bemidji
Bemidji, Minnesota
Bemidji is a city in Beltrami County, Minnesota, United States. Its population was at 13,431 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Beltrami County. Bemidji is the most major city in North Central Minnesota and the largest commercial center between Grand Forks, North Dakota and Duluth,...
during the 1960s.
In the present day, from East Grand Forks
East Grand Forks, Minnesota
-K-12:The East Grand Forks School District enrolls over 1,000 students and operates two elementary schools , Central Middle School, and East Grand Forks Senior High School. There are also two private Christian schools. Sacred Heart School is a Roman Catholic elementary, middle, and high school...
to Cass Lake
Cass Lake, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 860 people, 331 households, and 192 families residing in the city. The population density was 753.2 people per square mile . There were 384 housing units at an average density of 336.3 per square mile . The racial makeup of the city was 30.12% White, 64.42%...
, this route is built to 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...
standards and a posted 65 miles per hour (29.1 m/s) speed limit. From Cass Lake to Duluth
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
, there are only a couple of short four-lane divided highway
Dual carriageway
A dual carriageway is a class of highway with two carriageways for traffic travelling in opposite directions separated by a central reservation...
segments, but the non-urban portions of this segment are posted 60 mi/h speed limit.
Major intersections
|-|colspan=2 align='center'|Red River of the North
Red River of the North
The Red River is a North American river. Originating at the confluence of the Bois de Sioux and Otter Tail rivers in the United States, it flows northward through the Red River Valley and forms the border between the U.S. states of Minnesota and North Dakota before continuing into Manitoba, Canada...
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