Minnesota State Highway 252
Encyclopedia
Minnesota State Highway 252 is a highway
in Minnesota
, which runs from its interchange
with Interstate Highways 94
and 694
in Brooklyn Center
and continues north to its northern terminus at its interchange with State Highway 610
in Brooklyn Park
. The route is 4.5 miles (7.2 km) in length.
Highway 252 generally follows not far from the west bank of the Mississippi River
throughout its route.
between Brooklyn Center
and Brooklyn Park
. The route is heavily stoplighted
and has a 55 MPH posted speed limit. Highway 252 is built as an expressway
with access limited to signalized intersections and interchanges only.
Highway 252, together with State Highway 610
, serve as a connection between the northern suburbs and Interstate 94
towards downtown Minneapolis.
The route is built as a six-lane expressway from I-94
/ I-694
to 73rd Avenue North. The route is built as a four-lane expressway from 73rd Avenue North to its junction with Highway 610.
The 4.5 mile highway is one of the most traveled highways in the state that still has traffic signals; and for which interchanges
are not immediately planned. Highway 252 near its junction
with I-94
/ I-694
in Brooklyn Center, carries 70,000 vehicles a day as of 2006.
Legally, Highway 252 is defined as part of unmarked legislative route 110 in the Minnesota Statutes. Highway 252 is not marked with this legislative number along the actual highway.
between downtown Minneapolis and the present day suburb of Champlin
. Old U.S. 169 had followed Lyndale Avenue North out of downtown Minneapolis and proceeded northbound to a junction
with old U.S. Highway 52
(now U.S. 169) in Champlin.
Highway 169 was rerouted west of that position in the late 1970s, and this route was then renumbered Highway 252. After intersecting State Highway 610
was built, and as part of the 1988 highway swap, the portion of 252 north of Highway 610 was turned back to Hennepin County
maintenance and renumbered Hennepin County Road 12.
Highway 252 was built to expressway
standards in the mid 1980s.
The intersection
of Highway 252 and 85th Avenue North in Brooklyn Park
is particularly dangerous for pedestrians to cross. In 1999, a 11-year old girl, Kara Kavanaugh, was struck by a car and killed at the intersection, sparking renewed debate about building a pedestrian bridge in that location. In 2004, a pedestrian bridge was finally built in this location, and dedicated to Kara Kavanaugh.
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 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 its 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 Interstate Highways 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...
and 694
Interstate 694
Interstate 694 is an east–west auxiliary Interstate Highway located in the Minneapolis – Saint Paul metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The western terminus of the route is at its junction with Interstate 94 and Interstate 494 in Maple Grove...
in Brooklyn Center
Brooklyn Center, Minnesota
As of the census of 2010, there were 30,104 residents in Brooklyn Center. The racial makeup of the city was 49% White, 26% African American, 1% Native American, 14% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 5% from other races, and 4% from two or more races...
and continues north to its northern terminus at its interchange with State Highway 610
Minnesota State Highway 610
Minnesota State Highway 610 is an east–west freeway in the Twin Cities region of Minnesota; located in northern Hennepin County and southern Anoka County. The freeway currently connects U.S. Highway 169 and U.S. Highway 10 . MN 610 crosses the Mississippi River on the Richard P. Braun...
in Brooklyn Park
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
According to the 2010 census, there were 75,781 people residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 52% White, 24% African American, 1% Native American, 15% Asian, 42 residents identifying themselves as Pacific Islander, 4% from other races, and 4% from two or more races...
. The route is 4.5 miles (7.2 km) in length.
Highway 252 generally follows not far from the west bank of 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...
throughout its route.
Route description
State Highway 252 serves as a north–south route in suburban Hennepin CountyHennepin County, Minnesota
Hennepin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota, named in honor of the 17th-century explorer Father Louis Hennepin. As of 2010 the population was 1,152,425. Its county seat is Minneapolis. It is by far the most populous county in Minnesota; more than one in five Minnesotans live...
between Brooklyn Center
Brooklyn Center, Minnesota
As of the census of 2010, there were 30,104 residents in Brooklyn Center. The racial makeup of the city was 49% White, 26% African American, 1% Native American, 14% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 5% from other races, and 4% from two or more races...
and Brooklyn Park
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
According to the 2010 census, there were 75,781 people residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 52% White, 24% African American, 1% Native American, 15% Asian, 42 residents identifying themselves as Pacific Islander, 4% from other races, and 4% from two or more races...
. The route is heavily stoplighted
Traffic light
Traffic lights, which may also be known as stoplights, traffic lamps, traffic signals, signal lights, robots or semaphore, are signalling devices positioned at road intersections, pedestrian crossings and other locations to control competing flows of traffic...
and has a 55 MPH posted speed limit. Highway 252 is built as 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 access limited to signalized intersections and interchanges only.
Highway 252, together with State Highway 610
Minnesota State Highway 610
Minnesota State Highway 610 is an east–west freeway in the Twin Cities region of Minnesota; located in northern Hennepin County and southern Anoka County. The freeway currently connects U.S. Highway 169 and U.S. Highway 10 . MN 610 crosses the Mississippi River on the Richard P. Braun...
, serve as a connection between the northern suburbs and 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...
towards downtown Minneapolis.
The route is built as a six-lane expressway from I-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...
/ I-694
Interstate 694
Interstate 694 is an east–west auxiliary Interstate Highway located in the Minneapolis – Saint Paul metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The western terminus of the route is at its junction with Interstate 94 and Interstate 494 in Maple Grove...
to 73rd Avenue North. The route is built as a four-lane expressway from 73rd Avenue North to its junction with Highway 610.
The 4.5 mile highway is one of the most traveled highways in the state that still has traffic signals; and for which interchanges
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...
are not immediately planned. Highway 252 near 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 I-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...
/ I-694
Interstate 694
Interstate 694 is an east–west auxiliary Interstate Highway located in the Minneapolis – Saint Paul metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The western terminus of the route is at its junction with Interstate 94 and Interstate 494 in Maple Grove...
in Brooklyn Center, carries 70,000 vehicles a day as of 2006.
Legally, Highway 252 is defined as part of unmarked legislative route 110 in the Minnesota Statutes. Highway 252 is not marked with this legislative number along the actual highway.
History
Highway 252 was marked in the late 1970s. Previously, this was the old routing of U.S. Highway 169U.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...
between downtown Minneapolis and the present day suburb of Champlin
Champlin, Minnesota
Champlin is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 23,089 at the 2010 census.U.S. Route 169 serves as a main arterial route in the city.- Geography :...
. Old U.S. 169 had followed Lyndale Avenue North out of downtown Minneapolis and proceeded northbound to 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 old U.S. Highway 52
U.S. Route 52 in Minnesota
U.S. Highway 52 enters the state of Minnesota at the unincorporated community of Prosper, north of the town of Burr Oak, Iowa. The route is marked north–south in Minnesota along its independent segment from the Iowa state line to downtown St. Paul...
(now U.S. 169) in Champlin.
Highway 169 was rerouted west of that position in the late 1970s, and this route was then renumbered Highway 252. After intersecting State Highway 610
Minnesota State Highway 610
Minnesota State Highway 610 is an east–west freeway in the Twin Cities region of Minnesota; located in northern Hennepin County and southern Anoka County. The freeway currently connects U.S. Highway 169 and U.S. Highway 10 . MN 610 crosses the Mississippi River on the Richard P. Braun...
was built, and as part of the 1988 highway swap, the portion of 252 north of Highway 610 was turned back to Hennepin County
Hennepin County, Minnesota
Hennepin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota, named in honor of the 17th-century explorer Father Louis Hennepin. As of 2010 the population was 1,152,425. Its county seat is Minneapolis. It is by far the most populous county in Minnesota; more than one in five Minnesotans live...
maintenance and renumbered Hennepin County Road 12.
Highway 252 was 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 in the mid 1980s.
The 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...
of Highway 252 and 85th Avenue North in Brooklyn Park
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
According to the 2010 census, there were 75,781 people residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 52% White, 24% African American, 1% Native American, 15% Asian, 42 residents identifying themselves as Pacific Islander, 4% from other races, and 4% from two or more races...
is particularly dangerous for pedestrians to cross. In 1999, a 11-year old girl, Kara Kavanaugh, was struck by a car and killed at the intersection, sparking renewed debate about building a pedestrian bridge in that location. In 2004, a pedestrian bridge was finally built in this location, and dedicated to Kara Kavanaugh.