Minnesota State Highway 36
Encyclopedia
Minnesota State Highway 36 is a highway
in Minnesota
, which runs from its interchange
with Interstate 35W
in Roseville
and continues east to its eastern terminus at the Wisconsin
state line (at Stillwater
), where it becomes Wisconsin Highway 64 upon crossing the St. Croix River
. A portion of Highway 36 is a major freeway in suburban Minneapolis – Saint Paul.
Highway 36 is 22 miles (35.4 km) in length.
Highway 36 is a limited-access freeway from its interchange
with Interstate 35W
in Roseville
eastward to Interstate 35E
in Little Canada
, and about two miles beyond. The freeway section ends east of its interchange with U.S. Highway 61
, at its signal-controlled intersection
with English Street in Maplewood
. Highway 36 becomes an at-grade expressway
at this point. For about four miles outside of the I-494
/ 694
loop, the expressway section of Highway 36 has a speed limit
of 65 MPH (105 km/h).
Highway 36 crosses the St. Croix River
via the historic Stillwater Lift Bridge between Stillwater
and Houlton, WI
. The route becomes Wisconsin Highway 64 upon crossing the bridge into Wisconsin
. Planning is taking place to replace the bridge, which reached its practical capacity in 1990. Because the bridge is considered historically significant, this has become a heated issue.
From 1934 to 1982, Highway 36 used to be significantly longer. The route had turned southward along I-35W
, Washington Avenue, and Cedar Avenue in Minneapolis; and connected to what is now State Highway 77
(Cedar Avenue Freeway). In Eagan
, old Highway 36 had intersected the Chicago and North Western Railway at-grade, at the Nicols Station Crossing. The section of old Highway 36 that ran along Washington and Cedar Avenues in Minneapolis was turned back to county maintenance in 1982, and is currently a section of Hennepin County
Road 152.
Highway 36 did not originally reach the Wisconsin state line at the St. Croix River
. Part of old State Highway 212 in Oak Park Heights
and Stillwater
was renumbered as Highway 36 in 1983. This section of present day Highway 36 still carries the old Highway 212 mile markers
.
The section of Highway 36 in North St. Paul
was closed in 2007 from April to September. The highway was rebuilt to freeway standards during this time between White Bear Avenue in Maplewood
and Highway 120
(Century Avenue) in North St. Paul. The changes included grade-separated intersections with no interchanges or access within North St. Paul. The full closure in 2007 allowed the project to be completed faster and at a lower cost. It also increased safety for construction workers. The Highway 36 reconstruction project in North St. Paul was completed in 2008. The budget of the project was $24 million.
. It has not yet been scheduled for construction. The project will also include two roundabouts on Hilton Trail on either side of the highway, one at 60th Street North and another at an extension of Viking Drive.
|colspan=2|Ramsey/Washington county line
|10.463
|
|Signalized at-grade intersection
|-
|-
|colspan=2|Minnesota-Wisconsin state line
|205.354
|
|
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 35W
Interstate 35W (Minnesota)
Interstate 35W , is an Interstate Highway in the U.S. state of Minnesota, passing through downtown Minneapolis. It is one of two through routes for Interstate 35 through the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, the other being Interstate 35E through downtown Saint Paul...
in Roseville
Roseville, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 33,690 people, 14,598 households, and 8,598 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,543.9 people per square mile . There were 14,917 housing units at an average density of 1,126.4 per square mile...
and continues east to its eastern terminus at the 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...
state line (at Stillwater
Stillwater, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 15,143 people, 5,797 households, and 4,115 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,340.0 people per square mile . There were 5,926 housing units at an average density of 915.7 per square mile...
), where it becomes Wisconsin Highway 64 upon crossing the St. Croix River
St. Croix River (Wisconsin-Minnesota)
The St. Croix River is a tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately long, in the U.S. states of Wisconsin and Minnesota. The lower of the river form the border between Wisconsin and Minnesota. The river is a National Scenic Riverway under the protection of the National Park Service. A...
. A portion of Highway 36 is a major freeway in suburban Minneapolis – Saint Paul.
Highway 36 is 22 miles (35.4 km) in length.
Route description
State Highway 36 serves as an east–west route between the cities of Roseville, Little Canada, Maplewood, North St. Paul, Oakdale, Oak Park Heights, and Stillwater.Highway 36 is a limited-access freeway 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 35W
Interstate 35W (Minnesota)
Interstate 35W , is an Interstate Highway in the U.S. state of Minnesota, passing through downtown Minneapolis. It is one of two through routes for Interstate 35 through the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, the other being Interstate 35E through downtown Saint Paul...
in Roseville
Roseville, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 33,690 people, 14,598 households, and 8,598 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,543.9 people per square mile . There were 14,917 housing units at an average density of 1,126.4 per square mile...
eastward to 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...
in Little Canada
Little Canada, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,771 people, 4,375 households, and 2,393 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,445.8 people per square mile . There were 4,471 housing units at an average density of 1,119.1 per square mile...
, and about two miles beyond. The freeway section ends east of its interchange with U.S. Highway 61
U.S. Route 61 in Minnesota
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....
, at its signal-controlled 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 English Street in 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...
. Highway 36 becomes an at-grade 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...
at this point. For about four miles outside of the 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...
/ 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...
loop, the expressway section of Highway 36 has a speed limit
Speed limit
Road speed limits are used in most countries to regulate the speed of road vehicles. Speed limits may define maximum , minimum or no speed limit and are normally indicated using a traffic sign...
of 65 MPH (105 km/h).
St. Croix River (Wisconsin-Minnesota)
The St. Croix River is a tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately long, in the U.S. states of Wisconsin and Minnesota. The lower of the river form the border between Wisconsin and Minnesota. The river is a National Scenic Riverway under the protection of the National Park Service. A...
via the historic Stillwater Lift Bridge between Stillwater
Stillwater, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 15,143 people, 5,797 households, and 4,115 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,340.0 people per square mile . There were 5,926 housing units at an average density of 915.7 per square mile...
and Houlton, WI
Houlton, Wisconsin
Houlton is an unincorporated census-designated place located in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, United States. Houlton is located across the St. Croix River from Stillwater, Minnesota, in the town of St. Joseph. Houlton has a post office with ZIP code 54082. As of the 2010 census, its population was...
. The route becomes Wisconsin Highway 64 upon crossing the bridge into 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...
. Planning is taking place to replace the bridge, which reached its practical capacity in 1990. Because the bridge is considered historically significant, this has become a heated issue.
History
State Highway 36 was authorized in 1933. The route was paved by 1940.From 1934 to 1982, Highway 36 used to be significantly longer. The route had turned southward along I-35W
Interstate 35W (Minnesota)
Interstate 35W , is an Interstate Highway in the U.S. state of Minnesota, passing through downtown Minneapolis. It is one of two through routes for Interstate 35 through the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, the other being Interstate 35E through downtown Saint Paul...
, Washington Avenue, and Cedar Avenue in Minneapolis; and connected to what is now State Highway 77
Minnesota State Highway 77
Minnesota State Highway 77 is a highway in Minnesota, which runs from its intersection with 138th Street in Apple Valley and continues north to its northern terminus at its interchange with State Highway 62 in Minneapolis. The route is in length...
(Cedar Avenue Freeway). In Eagan
Eagan, Minnesota
Eagan is a city south of Saint Paul in Dakota County in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies on the south bank of the Minnesota River, upstream from the confluence with the Mississippi River. Eagan and nearby suburbs form the southern portion of Minneapolis-St. Paul, the fifteenth largest...
, old Highway 36 had intersected the Chicago and North Western Railway at-grade, at the Nicols Station Crossing. The section of old Highway 36 that ran along Washington and Cedar Avenues in Minneapolis was turned back to county maintenance in 1982, and is currently a section of 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...
Road 152.
Highway 36 did not originally reach the Wisconsin state line at the St. Croix River
St. Croix River (Wisconsin-Minnesota)
The St. Croix River is a tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately long, in the U.S. states of Wisconsin and Minnesota. The lower of the river form the border between Wisconsin and Minnesota. The river is a National Scenic Riverway under the protection of the National Park Service. A...
. Part of old State Highway 212 in Oak Park Heights
Oak Park Heights, Minnesota
Oak Park Heights is a city in Washington County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 4,339 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land...
and Stillwater
Stillwater, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 15,143 people, 5,797 households, and 4,115 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,340.0 people per square mile . There were 5,926 housing units at an average density of 915.7 per square mile...
was renumbered as Highway 36 in 1983. This section of present day Highway 36 still carries the old Highway 212 mile markers
Milestone
A milestone is one of a series of numbered markers placed along a road or boundary at intervals of one mile or occasionally, parts of a mile. They are typically located at the side of the road or in a median. They are alternatively known as mile markers, mileposts or mile posts...
.
The section of Highway 36 in North St. Paul
North St. Paul, Minnesota
North St. Paul is a city in Ramsey County, Minnesota, east of the city of Saint Paul. The population was 11,460 at the 2010 census.North St. Paul is a distinct city, and not a neighborhood of nearby St. Paul...
was closed in 2007 from April to September. The highway was rebuilt to freeway standards during this time between White Bear Avenue in 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...
and Highway 120
Minnesota State Highway 120
Minnesota State Highway 120 is a highway in Minnesota, which runs from its interchange with Interstate Highway 94 in Maplewood and continues north to its northern terminus at its intersection with State Highway 244 and Ramsey County Road 15 at the White Bear Lake / Mahtomedi boundary line...
(Century Avenue) in North St. Paul. The changes included grade-separated intersections with no interchanges or access within North St. Paul. The full closure in 2007 allowed the project to be completed faster and at a lower cost. It also increased safety for construction workers. The Highway 36 reconstruction project in North St. Paul was completed in 2008. The budget of the project was $24 million.
Future
An interchange is currently proposed for the junction between Highway 36 and Hilton Trail in Pine SpringsPine Springs, Minnesota
Pine Springs is a city in Washington County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 408 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...
. It has not yet been scheduled for construction. The project will also include two roundabouts on Hilton Trail on either side of the highway, one at 60th Street North and another at an extension of Viking Drive.
Major Intersections / Exit List
|-|colspan=2|Ramsey/Washington county line
|10.463
|
|Signalized at-grade intersection
|-
|-
|colspan=2|Minnesota-Wisconsin state line
|205.354
|
|