Minnesota State Highway 65
Encyclopedia
Minnesota State Highway 65 is a highway
in east-central and northeast Minnesota
, which runs from its intersection
with Washington Avenue
(Hennepin County Road 152) at the north end of downtown Minneapolis and continues north to its northern terminus at its intersection with U.S. Highway 71
in Littlefork
near International Falls
.
Highway 65 is a four lane expressway
between Interstate 694
in Fridley
to just north of State Highway 95
at Cambridge
.
The route continues as a two-lane road from Cambridge to its northern terminus at Littlefork
in northern Minnesota.
State Highway 65 is 273 miles (439.3 km) in length.
, Blaine
, Cambridge
, Mora
, McGregor
, Nashwauk
, and Littlefork
in east-central and northeast Minnesota.
The roadway is one of three Minnesota state marked highways to carry the same number as an existing U.S. marked highway within the state, the others being Highways 61
and 169
.
State Highway 65 begins at the intersection
of Washington Avenue (County 152) and 3rd Avenue South at the north end of downtown Minneapolis. Highway 65 is signed locally as 3rd Avenue South in downtown Minneapolis. 3rd Avenue South leads to the Third Avenue (Mississippi River) Bridge
and becomes Central Avenue upon crossing the river. After its intersection with Hennepin Avenue
, the route becomes Central Avenue NE. Highway 65 is signed locally as Central Avenue NE for this section. Many Minnesota landmarks are located on Central Avenue NE including the Aveda Institute, the Heights Theater
, and the National Sports Center
. The route remains Central Avenue until separating in Ham Lake
, except for a split in Fridley
and Spring Lake Park
between I-694
and U.S. Highway 10
.
The route is a divided highway
from Minneapolis to Cambridge, with a 60 MPH speed limit, increasing to 65 MPH speed limit beginning in Ham Lake
, just outside of Blaine
.
Savanna Portage State Park
in Aitkin County
is located 11 miles northeast of the junction
of Highway 65 and County Road 14 in Shamrock Township near McGregor
. The park entrance is located on County Road 14 in nearby Balsam Township
.
Minnesota DNR website for Savanna Portage State Park - Link
.
By 1940, the route was paved from Minneapolis to just north of McGrath
in Aitkin County. By 1949, the route was paved as far north as Libby. By 1953, the route was paved north to its intersection
with U.S. Highway 2
at Swan River
in Itasca County. Sections of Highway 65 north of U.S. 2 were paved in the 1960s and 1970s. The last section of Highway 65 paved was through the Nett Lake Indian Reservation in 2000.
The expressway section of Highway 65 between I-694
in Fridley
to Spring Lake Park
was constructed on a new alignment in 1953.
The Highway 65 expressway bypass in Cambridge
was completed circa
1993.
A portion of State Highway 65 used to be part of old U.S. Highway 65
. U.S. 65 still enters Minnesota from Iowa
, but ends now in the city of Albert Lea
, where it has a junction
with Interstate 35
. I-35 and I-35W
roughly follow the same route old U.S. 65 used to take from Albert Lea to downtown Minneapolis. Before the freeways were built, the original U.S. 65 had followed Lyndale Avenue between Burnsville
and Minneapolis.
In July 2005, a small section of State Highway 65 in downtown Minneapolis, between Washington Avenue and I-35W
, was turned back to city maintenance. The southern terminus of State Highway 65 is now at the intersection of Washington Avenue and 3rd Avenue South in downtown Minneapolis. However the feeder ramp from I-35W north to downtown may again be considered MN-65 like it was in 2005, since the updated mileposts now label the MN-65 shield along this segment.
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 east-central 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 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 Washington Avenue
Washington Avenue (Minneapolis)
Washington Avenue is a major thoroughfare in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Starting north of Lowry Avenue, the street runs straight south, with Interstate 94 running alongside it until just south of West Broadway, when the freeway turns to the west...
(Hennepin County Road 152) at the north end of downtown Minneapolis and continues north to its northern terminus at its intersection with U.S. Highway 71
U.S. Route 71
U.S. Route 71 is a north–south United States highway. This original 1926 route has remained largely unchanged by encroaching Interstate highways. Currently, the highway's northern terminus is in International Falls, Minnesota at the Canadian border, at the southern end of the Fort...
in Littlefork
Littlefork, Minnesota
Littlefork is a city in Koochiching County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 647 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.U.S...
near International Falls
International Falls, Minnesota
International Falls is a city in and the county seat of Koochiching County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 6,424 at the 2010 census....
.
Highway 65 is a four lane 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...
between Interstate 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 Fridley
Fridley, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 27,449 people, 11,328 households, and 7,317 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,701.3 people per square mile . There were 11,504 housing units at an average density of 1,132.1 per square mile...
to just north of State Highway 95
Minnesota State Highway 95
Minnesota State Highway 95 is a highway in east-central Minnesota, which runs from its intersection with State Highway 23 near St. Cloud and continues east and south to its southern terminus at its intersection with U.S...
at Cambridge
Cambridge, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,520 people, 2,237 households, and 1,353 families residing in the city. The population density was 894.1 people per square mile . There were 2,373 housing units at an average density of 384.4 per square mile...
.
The route continues as a two-lane road from Cambridge to its northern terminus at Littlefork
Littlefork, Minnesota
Littlefork is a city in Koochiching County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 647 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.U.S...
in northern Minnesota.
State Highway 65 is 273 miles (439.3 km) in length.
Route description
State Highway 65 serves as a north–south route between Minneapolis, FridleyFridley, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 27,449 people, 11,328 households, and 7,317 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,701.3 people per square mile . There were 11,504 housing units at an average density of 1,132.1 per square mile...
, Blaine
Blaine, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 44,942 people, 15,898 households, and 12,177 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,330 people per square mile . There are 16,169 housing units at an average density of 477.6 per square mile...
, Cambridge
Cambridge, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,520 people, 2,237 households, and 1,353 families residing in the city. The population density was 894.1 people per square mile . There were 2,373 housing units at an average density of 384.4 per square mile...
, Mora
Mora, Minnesota
Mora is a city in and the county seat of Kanabec County in the central part of the U.S. state of Minnesota. It is located at the junction of Minnesota State Highways 23 and 65. The population was 3,571 at the 2010 census.-History:...
, McGregor
McGregor, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 404 people, 182 households, and 105 families residing in the city. The population density was 205.5 people per square mile . There were 199 housing units at an average density of 101.2 per square mile...
, Nashwauk
Nashwauk, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 935 people, 434 households, and 266 families residing in the city. The population density was 165.8 people per square mile . There were 467 housing units at an average density of 82.8 per square mile . The racial makeup of the city was 98.82% White, 0.53%...
, and Littlefork
Littlefork, Minnesota
Littlefork is a city in Koochiching County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 647 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.U.S...
in east-central and northeast Minnesota.
The roadway is one of three Minnesota state marked highways to carry the same number as an existing U.S. marked highway within the state, the others being Highways 61
Minnesota State Highway 61
Minnesota State Highway 61 is a highway in northeast Minnesota, which runs from the junction of Interstate Highway 35 and Minnesota 61 in Duluth and continues northeast to its northern terminus at the U.S.-Canadian border near Grand Portage...
and 169
Minnesota State Highway 169
Minnesota State Highway 169 is a highway in northeast Minnesota, which runs from its interchange with U.S. Highway 53 in Wuori Township and continues northeast to its northern terminus at the intersection of Lake County Road 18 and Power Dam Road in Fall Lake Township...
.
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 Washington Avenue (County 152) and 3rd Avenue South at the north end of downtown Minneapolis. Highway 65 is signed locally as 3rd Avenue South in downtown Minneapolis. 3rd Avenue South leads to the Third Avenue (Mississippi River) Bridge
Third Avenue Bridge (Minneapolis)
The Third Avenue Bridge is a landmark structure of the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, originally known as the St. Anthony Falls Bridge. It carries road traffic across the Mississippi River and right over the upper fringes of Saint Anthony Falls...
and becomes Central Avenue upon crossing the river. After its intersection with Hennepin Avenue
Hennepin Avenue
Hennepin Avenue is a major street in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. It runs from Lakewood Cemetery , north through the Uptown District of Southwest Minneapolis, through the former "Bottleneck" area west of Loring Park, through the North Loop in the city center, to Northeast Minneapolis and...
, the route becomes Central Avenue NE. Highway 65 is signed locally as Central Avenue NE for this section. Many Minnesota landmarks are located on Central Avenue NE including the Aveda Institute, the Heights Theater
Heights Theater
The Heights Theater is a historic theater in Columbia Heights, Minnesota. The Theater touts itself as "the Twin Cities longest continuously operated show house."- Location :...
, and the National Sports Center
National Sports Center
The National Sports Center is a 600-acre multi-sport complex located in Blaine, Minnesota, United States, that includes a soccer stadium, over 50 full-sized soccer fields, a golf course, a velodrome, a meeting and convention facility, and an eight-sheet ice rink, the Schwan Super Rink, which is...
. The route remains Central Avenue until separating in Ham Lake
Ham Lake, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,710 people, 4,139 households, and 3,472 families residing in the city. The population density was 368.9 people per square mile . There were 4,208 housing units at an average density of 122.1 per square mile...
, except for a split in Fridley
Fridley, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 27,449 people, 11,328 households, and 7,317 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,701.3 people per square mile . There were 11,504 housing units at an average density of 1,132.1 per square mile...
and Spring Lake Park
Spring Lake Park, Minnesota
Spring Lake Park is a city in Anoka and Ramsey counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 6,412 at the 2010 census. The city lies mainly in Anoka County....
between 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...
and U.S. Highway 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...
.
The route is a 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...
from Minneapolis to Cambridge, with a 60 MPH speed limit, increasing to 65 MPH speed limit beginning in Ham Lake
Ham Lake, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,710 people, 4,139 households, and 3,472 families residing in the city. The population density was 368.9 people per square mile . There were 4,208 housing units at an average density of 122.1 per square mile...
, just outside of Blaine
Blaine, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 44,942 people, 15,898 households, and 12,177 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,330 people per square mile . There are 16,169 housing units at an average density of 477.6 per square mile...
.
Savanna Portage State Park
Savanna Portage State Park
Savanna Portage State Park is a state park of Minnesota, USA, established in 1961 to preserve the historic Savanna Portage, a difficult trail connecting the watersheds of the Mississippi River and Lake Superior...
in Aitkin County
Aitkin County, Minnesota
Aitkin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population is 16,202. Its county seat is Aitkin. A portion of the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation is in the county.-History:...
is located 11 miles northeast of the 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:...
of Highway 65 and County Road 14 in Shamrock Township near McGregor
McGregor, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 404 people, 182 households, and 105 families residing in the city. The population density was 205.5 people per square mile . There were 199 housing units at an average density of 101.2 per square mile...
. The park entrance is located on County Road 14 in nearby Balsam Township
Balsam Township, Aitkin County, Minnesota
Balsam Township is a township in Aitkin County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 34 as of the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which is land and is water....
.
Minnesota DNR website for Savanna Portage State Park - Link
History
State Highway 65 was authorized in 1934 and 1935. The route was numbered as an extension of old U.S. Highway 65U.S. Route 65
U.S. Route 65 is a north–south United States highway in the southern and midwestern United States. The southern terminus of the route is at U.S. Route 425 in Clayton, Louisiana. The northern terminus is at Interstate 35 just south of Interstate 90 in Albert Lea, Minnesota...
.
By 1940, the route was paved from Minneapolis to just north of McGrath
McGrath, Minnesota
McGrath is a city in Aitkin County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 80 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
in Aitkin County. By 1949, the route was paved as far north as Libby. By 1953, the route was paved north 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 U.S. Highway 2
U.S. Route 2 in Minnesota
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...
at Swan River
Swan River, Itasca County, Minnesota
Swan River is a small unincorporated community in southeast Itasca County, Minnesota, United States.The community is located between Grand Rapids and Floodwood at the junction of U.S...
in Itasca County. Sections of Highway 65 north of U.S. 2 were paved in the 1960s and 1970s. The last section of Highway 65 paved was through the Nett Lake Indian Reservation in 2000.
The expressway section of Highway 65 between 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 Fridley
Fridley, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 27,449 people, 11,328 households, and 7,317 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,701.3 people per square mile . There were 11,504 housing units at an average density of 1,132.1 per square mile...
to Spring Lake Park
Spring Lake Park, Minnesota
Spring Lake Park is a city in Anoka and Ramsey counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 6,412 at the 2010 census. The city lies mainly in Anoka County....
was constructed on a new alignment in 1953.
The Highway 65 expressway bypass in Cambridge
Cambridge, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,520 people, 2,237 households, and 1,353 families residing in the city. The population density was 894.1 people per square mile . There were 2,373 housing units at an average density of 384.4 per square mile...
was completed circa
Circa
Circa , usually abbreviated c. or ca. , means "approximately" in the English language, usually referring to a date...
1993.
A portion of State Highway 65 used to be part of old U.S. Highway 65
U.S. Route 65
U.S. Route 65 is a north–south United States highway in the southern and midwestern United States. The southern terminus of the route is at U.S. Route 425 in Clayton, Louisiana. The northern terminus is at Interstate 35 just south of Interstate 90 in Albert Lea, Minnesota...
. U.S. 65 still enters Minnesota from Iowa
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...
, but ends now in the city of Albert Lea
Albert Lea, Minnesota
Albert Lea is a city in and the county seat of Freeborn County in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 18,016 at the 2010 census....
, 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 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 and 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...
roughly follow the same route old U.S. 65 used to take from Albert Lea to downtown Minneapolis. Before the freeways were built, the original U.S. 65 had followed Lyndale Avenue between Burnsville
Burnsville, Minnesota
Burnsville is a city south of downtown Minneapolis 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...
and Minneapolis.
In July 2005, a small section of State Highway 65 in downtown Minneapolis, between Washington Avenue and 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...
, was turned back to city maintenance. The southern terminus of State Highway 65 is now at the intersection of Washington Avenue and 3rd Avenue South in downtown Minneapolis. However the feeder ramp from I-35W north to downtown may again be considered MN-65 like it was in 2005, since the updated mileposts now label the MN-65 shield along this segment.