U.S. Route 61 in Minnesota
Encyclopedia
U.S. Highway 61
is a highway
in southeast and east-central Minnesota
, which runs from the River Bridge over the Mississippi River
at La Crescent
and continues north to its northern terminus at its junction
with Interstate 35
at the city of Wyoming
.
U.S. 61 in Minnesota is 165 miles (265.5 km) in length. The route connects the cities of La Crescent
, Winona
, Wabasha
, Lake City
, Red Wing
, Hastings
, Cottage Grove
, Saint Paul
, Forest Lake
, and Wyoming
.
on the River Bridge over the Mississippi River between the cities of La Crosse
and La Crescent. U.S. 61 is concurrent
with U.S. 14
and State Highway 16
as it enters the state.
The four-lane divided highway
continues north through La Crescent. U.S. 61 follows the Mississippi River through southeast Minnesota; through the cities of Winona
, Wabasha
, Lake City
, and Red Wing
. Highway 61 is a two-lane roadway between Wabasha and Red Wing.
U.S. 61 crosses the Mississippi River at Hastings
over the Hastings High Bridge
and joins U.S. 10
at Cottage Grove
. U.S. 61 and U.S. 10 are concurrent as a freeway between Cottage Grove and the city of Saint Paul
.
Within the city of Saint Paul, U.S. 61 follows Interstate 94
for a short distance, and then follows Mounds Boulevard, East 7th Street, and Arcade Street through the East Side of St. Paul.
U.S. 61 then proceeds north to Maplewood
, where it becomes a four-lane highway again to White Bear Lake
. After leaving White Bear Lake, U.S. 61 is a two-lane roadway again to Forest Lake
and then to its northern terminus at the city of Wyoming
.
Highway 61 closely parallels Interstate 35E
and Interstate 35
from Saint Paul to Wyoming.
120 miles (193.1 km) of U.S. 61 from La Crescent
to Cottage Grove
in southeast Minnesota is officially designated the Disabled American Veterans Highway.
Legally, the Minnesota section of U.S. 61 is defined as unmarked legislative routes 3, 104, 102 and 1 in the Minnesota Statutes. U.S. 61 is not marked with these legislative numbers along the actual highway.
In 1929, the only unpaved portions were from Hastings to Wabasha and from Winona to the state line. It was completely paved by 1940.
The expressway
sections south of Wabasha
were built in the 1960s and the 1970s. The four lane divided highway
section between Red Wing
and State Highway 316
near Miesville
was completed in 1997. The freeway section of U.S. 61 between Cottage Grove
and I-494
at Newport
was completed in 2007.
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U.S. Route 61
U.S. Route 61 is the official designation for a United States highway that runs from New Orleans, Louisiana, to the city of Wyoming, Minnesota. The highway generally follows the course of the Mississippi River, and is designated the Great River Road for much of its route. As of 2004, the highway's...
is a highway
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 southeast and east-central 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 River 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...
at La Crescent
La Crescent, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,923 people, 1,940 households, and 1,367 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,634.4 people per square mile . There were 2,014 housing units at an average density of 668.6 per square mile...
and continues north to its northern terminus at its 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 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...
at the city of Wyoming
Wyoming, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,048 people, 1,023 households, and 848 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,069.8 people per square mile . There were 1,055 housing units at an average density of 370.3 per square mile...
.
U.S. 61 in Minnesota is 165 miles (265.5 km) in length. The route connects the cities of La Crescent
La Crescent, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,923 people, 1,940 households, and 1,367 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,634.4 people per square mile . There were 2,014 housing units at an average density of 668.6 per square mile...
, Winona
Winona, Minnesota
Winona is a city in and the county seat of Winona County, in the U.S. State of Minnesota. Located in picturesque bluff country on the Mississippi River, its most noticeable physical landmark is Sugar Loaf....
, Wabasha
Wabasha, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,599 people, 1,062 households, and 665 families residing in the city. The population density was 318.4 people per square mile . There were 1,166 housing units at an average density of 142.9 per square mile...
, Lake City
Lake City, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,950 people, 2,131 households, and 1,402 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,166.9 people per square mile . There were 2,347 housing units at an average density of 553.3 per square mile...
, Red Wing
Red Wing, Minnesota
Red Wing is a city in Goodhue County, Minnesota, United States, on the Mississippi River. The population was 16,459 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Goodhue County....
, Hastings
Hastings, Minnesota
Hastings is a city in Dakota counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota, near the confluence of the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers. The population was 22,172 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Dakota County. The bulk of Hastings is in Dakota County; only a small part of the city extends...
, Cottage Grove
Cottage Grove, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 30,582 people, 9,932 households, and 8,462 families residing in the city. The population density was 899.9 people per square mile . There were 10,024 housing units at an average density of 295.0 per square mile...
, Saint Paul
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
, Forest Lake
Forest Lake, Minnesota
Forest Lake is a city in Washington County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 18,375 at the 2010 census. It is located on Minnesota's 94th largest lake .Interstate 35 and U.S...
, and Wyoming
Wyoming, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,048 people, 1,023 households, and 848 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,069.8 people per square mile . There were 1,055 housing units at an average density of 370.3 per square mile...
.
Route description
U.S. Highway 61 enters the state of Minnesota at the city of La CrescentLa Crescent, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,923 people, 1,940 households, and 1,367 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,634.4 people per square mile . There were 2,014 housing units at an average density of 668.6 per square mile...
on the River Bridge over the Mississippi River between the cities of La Crosse
La Crosse, Wisconsin
La Crosse is a city in and the county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States. The city lies alongside the Mississippi River.The 2011 Census Bureau estimates the city had a population of 52,485...
and La Crescent. U.S. 61 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 U.S. 14
U.S. Route 14
U.S. Route 14 , an east–west route, is one of the original United States highways of 1926. It currently has a length of 1,398 miles , but it had a peak length of 1,429 miles . For much of its length, it runs roughly parallel to Interstate 90.As of 2004, the highway's eastern terminus is in...
and State Highway 16
Minnesota State Highway 16
Minnesota State Highway 16 is a two-lane highway in southeast Minnesota, which runs from its interchange with Interstate Highway 90 in Dexter and continues east to its eastern terminus at its intersection with U.S. Highways 14 and 61 in La Crescent....
as it enters the state.
The 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...
continues north through La Crescent. U.S. 61 follows the Mississippi River through southeast Minnesota; through the cities of Winona
Winona, Minnesota
Winona is a city in and the county seat of Winona County, in the U.S. State of Minnesota. Located in picturesque bluff country on the Mississippi River, its most noticeable physical landmark is Sugar Loaf....
, Wabasha
Wabasha, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,599 people, 1,062 households, and 665 families residing in the city. The population density was 318.4 people per square mile . There were 1,166 housing units at an average density of 142.9 per square mile...
, Lake City
Lake City, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,950 people, 2,131 households, and 1,402 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,166.9 people per square mile . There were 2,347 housing units at an average density of 553.3 per square mile...
, and Red Wing
Red Wing, Minnesota
Red Wing is a city in Goodhue County, Minnesota, United States, on the Mississippi River. The population was 16,459 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Goodhue County....
. Highway 61 is a two-lane roadway between Wabasha and Red Wing.
U.S. 61 crosses the Mississippi River at Hastings
Hastings, Minnesota
Hastings is a city in Dakota counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota, near the confluence of the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers. The population was 22,172 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Dakota County. The bulk of Hastings is in Dakota County; only a small part of the city extends...
over the Hastings High Bridge
Hastings High Bridge
Hastings High Bridge is a continuous steel through truss bridge that spans the Mississippi River in Hastings, Minnesota. It was built in 1951 and was designed by Sverdrup and Parcel...
and joins U.S. 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...
at Cottage Grove
Cottage Grove, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 30,582 people, 9,932 households, and 8,462 families residing in the city. The population density was 899.9 people per square mile . There were 10,024 housing units at an average density of 295.0 per square mile...
. U.S. 61 and U.S. 10 are concurrent as a freeway between Cottage Grove and the city of Saint Paul
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
.
Within the city of Saint Paul, U.S. 61 follows 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...
for a short distance, and then follows Mounds Boulevard, East 7th Street, and Arcade Street through the East Side of St. Paul.
U.S. 61 then proceeds north to Maplewood
Maplewood, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 34,947 people, 13,758 households, and 9,190 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,017.5 people per square mile . There were 14,004 housing units at an average density of 808.5 per square mile...
, where it becomes a four-lane highway again to White Bear Lake
White Bear Lake, Minnesota
White Bear Lake is a city in Ramsey and Washington counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 23,797 at the 2010 census. The city is located on White Bear Lake, one of the largest lakes in the Minneapolis-St...
. After leaving White Bear Lake, U.S. 61 is a two-lane roadway again to Forest Lake
Forest Lake, Minnesota
Forest Lake is a city in Washington County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 18,375 at the 2010 census. It is located on Minnesota's 94th largest lake .Interstate 35 and U.S...
and then to its northern terminus at the city of Wyoming
Wyoming, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,048 people, 1,023 households, and 848 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,069.8 people per square mile . There were 1,055 housing units at an average density of 370.3 per square mile...
.
Highway 61 closely parallels Interstate 35E
Interstate 35E (Minnesota)
Interstate 35E is an Interstate Highway in the U.S. state of Minnesota, passing through downtown Saint Paul. It is one of two through routes for Interstate 35 through the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, the other being Interstate 35W through Minneapolis. Thus, both ends of I-35E are...
and 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...
from Saint Paul to Wyoming.
120 miles (193.1 km) of U.S. 61 from La Crescent
La Crescent, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,923 people, 1,940 households, and 1,367 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,634.4 people per square mile . There were 2,014 housing units at an average density of 668.6 per square mile...
to Cottage Grove
Cottage Grove, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 30,582 people, 9,932 households, and 8,462 families residing in the city. The population density was 899.9 people per square mile . There were 10,024 housing units at an average density of 295.0 per square mile...
in southeast Minnesota is officially designated the Disabled American Veterans Highway.
Legally, the Minnesota section of U.S. 61 is defined as unmarked legislative routes 3, 104, 102 and 1 in the Minnesota Statutes. U.S. 61 is not marked with these legislative numbers along the actual highway.
History
Highway 61 in Minnesota is an original U.S. Route, established on November 26, 1926.In 1929, the only unpaved portions were from Hastings to Wabasha and from Winona to the state line. It was completely paved by 1940.
The 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...
sections south of Wabasha
Wabasha, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,599 people, 1,062 households, and 665 families residing in the city. The population density was 318.4 people per square mile . There were 1,166 housing units at an average density of 142.9 per square mile...
were built in the 1960s and the 1970s. The 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...
section between Red Wing
Red Wing, Minnesota
Red Wing is a city in Goodhue County, Minnesota, United States, on the Mississippi River. The population was 16,459 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Goodhue County....
and State Highway 316
Minnesota State Highway 316
Minnesota State Highway 316 is a highway in southeast Minnesota, which runs from its first intersection with U.S. Highway 61 in Welch Township, near Miesville; and continues north to its second intersection with U.S...
near Miesville
Miesville, Minnesota
Miesville is a city in Dakota County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 125 at the 2010 census.U.S. Highway 61 serves as a main route in the community...
was completed in 1997. The freeway section of U.S. 61 between Cottage Grove
Cottage Grove, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 30,582 people, 9,932 households, and 8,462 families residing in the city. The population density was 899.9 people per square mile . There were 10,024 housing units at an average density of 295.0 per square mile...
and I-494
Interstate 494
Interstate 494 is a loop route making up part of a beltway of Interstate 94, circling through the southern and western portions of the Minneapolis – Saint Paul metropolitan area in Minnesota...
at Newport
Newport, Minnesota
Newport is a city in Washington County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 3,435 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....
was completed in 2007.
Major intersections
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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...
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