U.S. Route 52: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Highway in the United States}} |
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[[Image:US52.png|right|100px|U.S Highway 52]] |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}} |
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'''United States Highway 52''' is an unusual [[United States highway]]. While one might expect the route to be east-west as most even-numbered US Highways are, US 52 takes a northwest-southeast route. |
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{{Infobox road |
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| country = USA |
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| type = US |
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| route = 52 |
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| map = {{maplink-road|from=U.S. Route 52.map}} |
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| map_custom = yes |
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| map_notes = US 52 highlighted in red |
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| length_mi = 2072 |
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| length_ref = {{citation needed|date=February 2018}} |
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| established = 1926<ref>{{cite map |author1 = Bureau of Public Roads |author-link = Bureau of Public Roads |author2 = American Association of State Highway Officials |author2-link = American Association of State Highway Officials |date = November 11, 1926 |title = United States System of Highways Adopted for Uniform Marking by the American Association of State Highway Officials |url = https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:United_States_System_of_Highways_Adopted_for_Uniform_Marking_by_the_American_Association_of_State_Highway_Officials.jpg |scale = 1:7,000,000 |location = Washington, DC |publisher = [[United States Geological Survey]] |oclc = 32889555 |access-date = March 25, 2018 |via = [[Wikimedia Commons]] |name-list-style = amp }}</ref> |
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| direction_a = West |
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| direction_b = East |
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| terminus_a = {{Jct|state=SK|Hwy|39}} at the [[Canada–United States border]] in [[Portal, North Dakota|Portal, ND]] |
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| terminus_b = Line Street in [[Charleston, South Carolina|Charleston, SC]] |
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| states = [[North Dakota]], [[Minnesota]], [[Iowa]], [[Illinois]], [[Indiana]], [[Ohio]], [[West Virginia]], [[Kentucky]], [[Virginia]], [[North Carolina]], [[South Carolina]] |
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| junction = {{plainlist|1=<!--Only 10 junctions maximum per [[WP:USRD/STDS]]--> |
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*{{Jct|country=USA|state=MN|I|35W}} in [[Minneapolis, Minnesota|Minneapolis, MN]] |
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*{{Jct|country=USA|I|90}} in [[Rochester, Minnesota|Rochester, MN]] |
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*{{Jct|country=USA|I|55}} in [[Shorewood, Illinois|Shorewood, IL]] |
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*{{Jct|country=USA|I|80}} in [[Joliet, Illinois|Joliet, IL]] |
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*{{Jct|country=USA|I|65}} near [[Lebanon, Indiana|Lebanon, IN]] |
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*{{Jct|country=USA|I|70}} in [[Indianapolis|Indianapolis, IN]] |
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*{{Jct|country=USA|I|75}} in [[Cincinnati|Cincinnati, OH]] |
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*{{Jct|country=USA|I|40}} in [[Winston-Salem, North Carolina|Winston-Salem, NC]] |
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*{{Jct|country=USA|I|85}} in [[Lexington, North Carolina|Lexington, NC]] |
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*{{Jct|country=USA|I|95}} near [[Florence, South Carolina|Florence, SC]] }} |
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| browse = {{Us browse|previous_type=US|previous_route=51|next_type=US|next_route=53|route=[[List of United States Numbered Highways|US]]}} |
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{{nd browse|previous_type=ND|previous_route=50|route=[[List of North Dakota numbered highways|ND]]|next_type=ND|next_route=53}} |
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{{in browse|previous_type=IN|previous_route=51|route=[[List of State Roads in Indiana|IN]]|next_type=IN|next_route=53}} |
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{{oh browse|previous_type=SR|previous_route=51|route=[[List of U.S. Routes in Ohio|OH]]|next_type = OH 1920|next_route = 52|next_dab=1923–1927}} |
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{{ky browse|previous_type=US|previous_route=51|route=KY|next_type=KY|next_route=52}} |
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}} |
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'''U.S. Route 52''' ('''US 52''') is a major [[United States highway]] in the [[central United States]] that extends from the northern to southeastern region of the [[United States]]. Contrary to most other even-numbered U.S. Highways, US 52 primarily follows a northwest–southeast route, and is signed north–south or east–west depending on the local orientation of the route. The highway's northwestern terminus is in [[Portal, North Dakota]] at the [[Canada–United States border]], where it continues as [[Saskatchewan Highway 39]]. Its southeastern terminus is in [[Charleston, South Carolina]], at Number 2 Meeting Street and [[White Point Garden]] along the Charleston Harbor. |
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== Route description == |
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Because of its unusual nature US 52 is signed east and west on some sections and north and south on others. |
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{{lengths table}} |
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|- |
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|[[U.S. Route 52 in North Dakota|ND]] |
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|{{convert|361|mi|km|disp=table}} |
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|[[U.S. Route 52 in Minnesota|MN]] |
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|{{convert|377|mi|km|disp=table}} |
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|- |
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|[[U.S. Route 52 in Iowa|IA]] |
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|{{convert|164|mi|km|disp=table}} |
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|- |
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|[[U.S. Route 52 in Illinois|IL]] |
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|{{convert|216|mi|km|disp=table}} |
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|- |
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|[[U.S. Route 52 in Indiana|IN]] |
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|{{convert|198|mi|km|disp=table}} |
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|- |
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|[[U.S. Route 52 in Ohio|OH]] |
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|{{convert|190|mi|km|disp=table}} |
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|- |
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|[[U.S. Route 52 in West Virginia|WV/KY]] |
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|{{convert|186|mi|km|disp=table}} |
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|- |
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|[[U.S. Route 52 in Virginia|VA]] |
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|{{convert|85|mi|km|disp=table}} |
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|- |
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|[[U.S. Route 52 in North Carolina|NC]] |
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|{{convert|150|mi|km|disp=table}} |
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|- |
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|[[U.S. Route 52 in South Carolina|SC]] |
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|{{convert|161|mi|km|disp=table}} |
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|- |
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|Total |
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|{{convert|2,072|mi|km|disp=table}} |
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|} |
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=== North Dakota === |
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==Termini== |
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{{Main|U.S. Route 52 in North Dakota}} |
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The highway's northwestern terminus is at [[Portal, North Dakota]] on the [[Canada|Canadian]] border, where it continues as Saskatchewan Highway 39. The southeastern terminus of US 52 is in [[Charleston, South Carolina]], somewhere near the intersection of [[Interstate 26]] and [[U.S. Highway 17]]. |
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In [[North Dakota]], US 52 continues from [[Saskatchewan Highway 39|Highway 39]] from the [[Canada–United States border]] at [[North Portal, Saskatchewan]], and [[Portal, North Dakota]], to the [[Red River of the North|Red River]] in [[Fargo, North Dakota|Fargo]], a distance of {{convert|361|mi|km}}. US 52 is [[concurrency (road)|co-signed]] with [[U.S. Route 2|US 2]] near [[Minot, North Dakota|Minot]], where it also intersects with [[U.S. Route 83|US 83]]. US 52 is also co-signed with [[U.S. Route 281|US 281]] for {{convert|44|mi|km}} between [[Jamestown, North Dakota|Jamestown]] and [[Carrington, North Dakota|Carrington]]. US 52 is concurrent with [[Interstate 94]] (I-94) between Jamestown and the [[Minnesota]] state line, co-signed between Jamestown and [[Fargo, North Dakota|Fargo]]; however, all of the interchanges for the Fargo–[[West Fargo, North Dakota|West Fargo]] portion of the route are [[Unsigned highway|unsigned]]. |
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== |
=== Minnesota === |
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{{Main|U.S. Route 52 in Minnesota}} |
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The highway passes through the following states: |
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[[File:SouthUS52RochesterMN2009.JPG|right|thumb|US 52 in Rochester]] |
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*[[North Dakota]] |
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In the state of [[Minnesota]], US 52 enters the state with I-94 at [[Moorhead, Minnesota|Moorhead]] and follows I-94 southeasterly all the way to the [[Minneapolis-Saint Paul|Twin Cities]]. The portion of the highway which overlaps I-94 is unsigned. From downtown St. Paul, US 52 continues on its own southeast over the [[Lafayette Bridge]] in St. Paul, continuing as an expressway to [[Rochester, Minnesota|Rochester]] and the Iowa state line. The [[Minnesota Department of Transportation]] has a long-term goal of making US 52 a freeway with limited-access interchanges between St. Paul and [[Interstate 90|I-90]] south of Rochester. South from I-94 in St. Paul there is a freeway segment to just south of Concord Boulevard in [[Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota|Inver Grove Heights]]. The portion of the highway between Inver Grove Heights and [[Pine Island, Minnesota|Pine Island]] is built to [[Limited-access road|expressway]] standards. Another freeway segment begins from Pine Island, through Rochester reaching its largest single capacity in Minnesota through Rochester as a six- to eight-lane freeway, toward I-90 where it converts to a rural two-lane highway. The highway then proceeds to the Iowa state line. |
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*[[Minnesota]] |
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*[[Iowa]] |
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*[[Illinois]] |
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*[[Indiana]] |
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*[[Ohio]] |
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*[[Kentucky]] |
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*[[West Virginia]] |
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*[[Virginia]] |
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*[[North Carolina]] |
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*[[South Carolina]] |
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== |
=== Iowa === |
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{{Main|U.S. Route 52 in Iowa}} |
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Major cities along the route include: |
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US 52 enters [[Iowa]] north of the unincorporated community of [[Burr Oak, Iowa|Burr Oak]]. It passes by [[Luther College (Iowa)|Luther College]] on the west side of [[Decorah, Iowa|Decorah]]. At [[Calmar, Iowa|Calmar]] the road turns to a southwest–northeast orientation. It joins with [[U.S. Route 18|US 18]] just to the west of [[Postville, Iowa|Postville]]. The two highways overlap until a point east of the unincorporated community of Froelich. US 52 roughly parallels the [[Mississippi River]] for the rest of its path through Iowa to [[Dyersville, Iowa|Dyersville]], where it intersects and joins [[U.S. Route 20|US 20]] and turns eastward towards [[Dubuque, Iowa|Dubuque]]. |
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*[[Minot, North Dakota]] |
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*[[Fargo, North Dakota]] |
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*[[Minneapolis, Minnesota]] |
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*[[Rochester, Minnesota]] |
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*[[Dubuque, Iowa]] |
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*[[Joliet, Illinois]] |
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*[[Indianapolis, Indiana]] |
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*[[Cincinnati, Ohio]] |
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*[[Huntington, West Virginia]] |
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*[[Winston-Salem, North Carolina]] |
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*[[Charleston, South Carolina]] |
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[[File:Snowy Evening in Bellevue, Iowa (24249372589).jpg|thumb|left|US 52 in downtown Bellevue]] |
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==Intersections and Multiplexes== |
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West of Dubuque, US 52 merges south onto the [[Southwest Arterial]], a four-lane expressway directing traffic around the southern edge of the city. US 52 heads southeast to a junction with US 61 and US 151. All three routes travel northbound (even US 52, which is signed as southbound) as an expressway, until US 52 departs in [[Key West, Iowa|Key West]] to remain close to the Mississippi River. After passing through a hilly and scenic region, including the small river city of [[Bellevue, Iowa|Bellevue]], the highway turns to an east–west orientation near [[Sabula, Iowa|Sabula]] at the junction of [[Iowa Highway 64]] and the northern terminus of [[U.S. Route 67|US 67]]. In Sabula, the highway becomes a wrong-way road; northbound traffic travels south, and vice versa, from Sabula to the [[Dale Gardner Veterans Memorial Bridge]], where US 52 crosses over the [[Mississippi River]] into [[Illinois]]. |
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Along U.S. 52's route, there are many places where the route crosses an Interstate (intersection), and many places where U.S. 52 shares its route with an Interstate (multiplex). |
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*[[Interstate 94]] multiplex between [[Jamestown, North Dakota]] and [[St. Paul, Minnesota]] |
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*[[Interstate 29]] in [[Fargo, North Dakota]] (while multiplexed with I-94) |
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*[[Interstate 694]] multiplex in [[Minneapolis, Minnesota]] (while multiplexed with I-94) |
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*[[Interstate 494]] in [[Maple Grove, Minnesota]] (while multiplexed with I-94) |
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*[[Interstate 394]] in [[Minneapolis, Minnesota]] (while multiplexed with I-94) |
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*[[Interstate 35W]] in [[Minneapolis, Minnesota]] (while multiplexed with I-94) |
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*[[Interstate 35E]] multiplex in [[Minneapolis, Minnesota]] (while multiplexed with I-94) |
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*[[Interstate 90]] in [[Marion, Minnesota]] |
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*[[Interstate 88]] in [[Dixon, Illinois]] |
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*[[Interstate 39]] in [[Troy Grove, Illinois]] |
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*[[Interstate 55]] in [[Joliet, Illinois]] |
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*[[Interstate 80]] in [[Joliet, Illinois]] |
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*[[Interstate 57]] in [[Kankakee, Illinois]] |
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*[[Interstate 65]] multiplex between [[Lebanon, Indiana]] and [[Zionsville, Indiana]] |
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*[[Interstate 865]] multiplex in [[Zionsville, Indiana]] |
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*[[Interstate 465]] multiplex between [[Zionsville, Indiana]] and [[Warren Park, Indiana]] |
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*[[Interstate 69]] in [[Indianapolis, Indiana]] (while multiplexed with I-465) |
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*[[Interstate 70]] in [[Indianapolis, Indiana]] (while multiplexed with I-465) |
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*[[Interstate 74]] multiplex between the [[Indiana]]/[[Ohio]] border and [[Cincinnati, Ohio]] |
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*[[Interstate 275 (Ohio)|Interstate 275]] multiplex in [[Miamitown, Ohio]] (while multiplexed with I-74) |
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*[[Interstate 75]] multiplex in [[Cincinnati, Ohio]] |
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*[[Interstate 275 (Ohio)|Interstate 275]] near [[Newtown, Ohio]] |
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*[[Interstate 64]] multiplex between [[Huntington, West Virginia]] and [[Kenova, West Virginia]] |
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*[[Interstate 77]] multiplex between [[Bluefield, West Virginia]] and [[Rocky Gap, Virginia]] |
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*[[Interstate 81]] multiplex in [[Wytheville, Virginia]] |
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*[[Interstate 77]] multiplex in [[Wytheville, Virginia]] (while multiplexed with I-81) |
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*[[Interstate 77]] multiplex between [[Wytheville, Virginia]] and [[Fort Chiswell, Virginia]] |
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*[[Interstate 74]] in [[Mount Airy, North Carolina]] |
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*[[Interstate 40]] in [[Winston-Salem, North Carolina]] |
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*[[Interstate 85]] multiplex between [[Lexington, North Carolina]] and [[Salisbury, North Carolina]] |
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*[[Interstate 95]] in [[Florence, South Carolina]] |
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North of Dubuque, US 52 was formerly routed onto a narrow and winding road, concurrently with [[Iowa Highway 3]]. While scenic, the road has been the scene of numerous accidents over the years owing to this nature. Between 1964 and 1967, this segment of the route was designated '''Alternate US 52''' and US 52 was rerouted south from Luxemburg to Dyersville along Iowa Highway 136, and east from Dyersville to Dubuque along US 20; however in 1967, US 52 was restored to the Iowa Highway 3 alignment.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://iowahighways.org/highways/us52.html |title = Iowa Highways Page US 52 |access-date = October 4, 2014 }}{{Self-published inline|date=January 2016}}</ref> After the completion of the Southwest Arterial in 2020, a similar change took place as US 52 was once again removed from the Iowa Highway 3 alignment and again routed from Luxemburg to Dyersville to Dubuque, then onto the Southwest Arterial, to US 61/US 151, finally reaching its former routing at Key West. |
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==Notes== |
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*Historically, U.S. 52 was routed along University Avenue between Minneapolis and St. Paul in Minnesota. In the [[1980s]] and [[1990s]], the highway was gradually shifted onto its present route along Interstate 94, although for a few years up until about [[1995]], there was effectively a gap in the roadway as the precise route wasn't defined. Since then, it has been routed along the interstate between the Twin Cities, though as of [[2005]], there was still a sign on University Avenue as you enter [[Hennepin County, Minnesota|Hennepin County]] saying "{52}, follow (County Highways) \36/ and \37/", which keeps you on University, then onto 4th St for historic westbound US-52. Historic US-52 westbound then went over the Central Avenue bridge (current [[Minnesota State Highway 65]]) and turned onto the current routing of County Highway 152. |
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The majority of US 52 in Iowa is located within the unglaciated [[Driftless Area]]. |
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==Related U.S. routes== |
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*[[U.S. Highway 152]] |
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=== Illinois === |
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*[[Interstate 26]] |
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{{Main|U.S. Route 52 in Illinois}} |
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*[[List of United States Highways]] |
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[[File:US 6 at US 52.jpg|thumb|Looking west at the western US 52 and [[U.S. Route 6|US 6]] (McDonough Street) split on the southwest side of [[Joliet, Illinois]].]] |
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In [[Illinois]], US 52 runs southeast from the [[Dale Gardner Veterans Memorial Bridge]] at the terminus of [[Iowa Highway 64]] and [[Illinois Route 64]] in [[Savanna, Illinois|Savanna]], passing through the cities of [[Dixon, Illinois|Dixon]], [[Amboy, Illinois|Amboy]] and [[Mendota, Illinois|Mendota]]. US 52 then turns due south and then east, crossing [[Interstate 39|I-39]] near [[Troy Grove, Illinois|Troy Grove]]. It continues east, passing through [[Shorewood, Illinois|Shorewood]] and then through the southern portion of [[Joliet, Illinois|Joliet]], where it is a major thoroughfare in the city of Joliet (Jefferson Street), avoiding the city of [[Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]] proper. It joins with [[U.S. Route 45|US 45]] through [[Kankakee, Illinois|Kankakee]], thereafter running concurrently with [[U.S. Route 24|US 24]], east of [[Watseka, Illinois|Watseka]] to the [[Indiana]] state line. |
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=== Indiana === |
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In [[Indiana]], US 52 runs in a northwest–southeast direction. It passes through [[Lafayette, Indiana|Lafayette]] where it used to be on Sagamore Parkway, but was later rerouted onto the US 231 bypass and Teal Road. Northwest of Indianapolis, US 52 runs along the same general area as, and is considered an alternative route to, [[Interstate 65|I-65]]. In the Indianapolis area, it is overlapped with [[Interstate 865|I-865]], [[Interstate 465|I-465]], and [[Interstate 69|I-69]]. East of Indianapolis, it is considered an alternative to [[Interstate 74|I-74]] before joining it near the Ohio border. |
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When US 52 went through Downtown Indianapolis, it went onto Brookville Road, then turned left onto English Avenue. It then joined [[U.S. Route 421 in Indiana|US 421]] when it turned onto Southeastern Avenue. US 52/US 421 joined [[U.S. Route 40|US 40]] when it turned onto Washington Street. It then split into Washington Street (westbound) and Maryland Street (eastbound). US 52 then turned onto West Street (from West Street, it turned onto Maryland Street). US 52 turned on 16th Street, where it would overlap [[U.S. Highway 136|US 136]]. It then turned onto Lafayette Road, which became Indianapolis Road when reaching [[Zionsville, Indiana|Zionsville]]. When I-65 was completed through Downtown Indianapolis, US 52 got on I-65 from the Lafayette Road interchange, and traveled on I-65 the rest of the way. In 1970, the route was re-routed onto the south belt of I-465 from Brookville Road to I-65. It was re-routed again on its current route around Indianapolis in either 2000 or 2001. |
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=== Ohio === |
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{{Main|U.S. Route 52 in Ohio}} |
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US 52 enters [[Ohio]] concurrently with I-74 in northwestern [[Hamilton County, Ohio|Hamilton County]]. US 52 then merges with [[Interstate 75|I-75]] from I-74's terminus and exits onto Hopple Street in [[Cincinnati, Ohio|Cincinnati]]. It runs along Central Parkway and Central Avenue through downtown and then skirts the Cincinnati riverfront along Mehring Way past [[Paul Brown Stadium]], [[Great American Ball Park]], and [[Heritage Bank Center]] (formerly U.S. Bank Arena), onto Pete Rose Way and Riverside Drive. From Cincinnati eastward, US 52 generally follows the [[Ohio River]]. There is a brief concurrency with [[Interstate 275 (Ohio)|I-275]] near [[California, Cincinnati|California]], a neighborhood on the far eastern edge of the city of Cincinnati. Towns along its path include [[New Richmond, Ohio|New Richmond]], [[Aberdeen, Ohio|Aberdeen]], [[Ripley, Ohio|Ripley]] and [[Manchester, Ohio|Manchester]]. The section between I-275 and New Richmond was modernized in the 1960s; parts of the old route run parallel to the newer highway. Around [[Portsmouth, Ohio|Portsmouth]] and [[Ironton, Ohio|Ironton]] US 52 has several [[freeway]] or [[Limited-access road|expressway]] sections. In Portsmouth, US 52 intersects [[U.S. Route 23|US 23]]. At [[Chesapeake, Ohio|Chesapeake]], US 52 crosses the Ohio River into [[Huntington, West Virginia]]. |
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The sections of US 52 that follow the Ohio River are known as the [[Ohio River Scenic Byway]], which is part of the [[National Scenic Byway]] Project. The section between [[Ohio State Route 125|State Route 125]] (SR 125) and [[Ohio State Route 73|SR 73]] (near Portsmouth) is also designated as [[Scenic Scioto Heritage Trail]]. This portion of US 52, along the Ohio between Cincinnati and Huntington, is the only part where it falls in geographical sequence, south of US 50 and north of US 60. |
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US 52 passes by [[Grant Birthplace|the birthplace]] of President [[Ulysses S. Grant]] in [[Point Pleasant, Ohio|Point Pleasant]]. |
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=== West Virginia and Kentucky === |
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{{Main|U.S. Route 52 in West Virginia}} |
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US 52 serves western and southern portions of [[West Virginia]], running from [[Huntington, West Virginia|Huntington]] to [[Bluefield, West Virginia|Bluefield]]. The highway is undergoing a major expansion project which began in 2007 and at current funding levels is likely to take many years to finish. |
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During its run through West Virginia, US 52 twice enters [[Kentucky]] briefly, along the [[Williamson, West Virginia]], bypass, in order to prevent the blasting of several hillsides in West Virginia. These stretches were completed in 1996 as part of the [[Corridor G]] ([[U.S. Route 119]]) project. The speed limit in West Virginia is {{convert|65|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, but drops to {{convert|55|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} along the Kentucky portions, as Kentucky law states that any non-freeway (as is US 52) must not have a higher speed limit. In each instance, however, US 52 re-enters West Virginia. |
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=== Virginia === |
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{{Main|U.S. Route 52 in Virginia}} |
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US 52 enters Virginia from West Virginia, and in Virginia closely follows [[Interstate 77|I-77]]. It enters southwestern Virginia near [[Bluefield, Virginia|Bluefield]] and passes through [[Wytheville, Virginia|Wytheville]] and [[Hillsville, Virginia|Hillsville]] before leaving the state south of [[Cana, Virginia|Cana]]. |
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=== North Carolina === |
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{{Main|U.S. Route 52 in North Carolina}} |
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[[File:Exits 6 at Westbound I-40 Business in Winston-Salem, NC.jpg|thumb|right|The north–south directions of US 52 in Winston-Salem]] |
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US 52 enters [[North Carolina]] just northwest of [[Mount Airy, North Carolina|Mount Airy]]. It passes [[Pilot Mountain (North Carolina)|Pilot Mountain]], one of the most distinctive natural features in North Carolina. Through the [[Piedmont Triad]] region, US 52 is mostly a controlled-access [[freeway]]. The route joins [[Interstate 85 Business (North Carolina)|I-85 Business]] into [[Lexington, North Carolina|Lexington]] and overlaps [[Interstate 85|I-85]] around [[Salisbury, North Carolina|Salisbury]]. The segment of US 52 from [[Interstate 40|I-40]] in [[Winston-Salem, North Carolina|Winston-Salem]] to Lexington has been upgraded to [[Interstate Highway standards]]; [[Interstate 285 (North Carolina)|I-285]] is co-signed along this segment. The segment from northern Winston-Salem to just south of Mount Airy is expected to form part of the [[Interstate 74|I-74]] corridor through North Carolina. |
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South of the Triad area, after splitting from I-85 in [[Salisbury, North Carolina|Salisbury]], US 52 is typically a two-lane route linking some of the state's smaller cities and towns. [[Albemarle, North Carolina|Albemarle]] is the largest municipality along this segment of US 52 to the South Carolina state line. |
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=== South Carolina === |
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{{Main|U.S. Route 52 in South Carolina}} |
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US 52 enters [[South Carolina]] northeast of [[Cheraw, South Carolina|Cheraw]]. From [[Darlington, South Carolina|Darlington]] southward it is a multilane highway and [[freeway]], passing through [[Florence, South Carolina|Florence]], [[Lake City, South Carolina|Lake City]], [[Kingstree, South Carolina|Kingstree]], [[Moncks Corner, South Carolina|Moncks Corner]] and [[North Charleston, South Carolina|North Charleston]] before US 52's terminus at the intersection of Meeting and Line Streets in [[Charleston, South Carolina|Charleston]]. |
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== History == |
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{{Expand section|date=August 2010}} |
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Historically, US 52 was routed along [[University Avenue (Minneapolis-St. Paul)|University Avenue]] between [[Minneapolis, Minnesota|Minneapolis]] and [[St. Paul, Minnesota|St. Paul]]. In the 1980s and 1990s, the highway was gradually shifted onto its present route along [[Interstate 94]]. However, there was a gap in the definition of the highway for a few years until 1995. Since then, it has been routed along the interstate between the [[Minneapolis-St. Paul|Twin Cities]], although as of 2007, there was still a sign on University Avenue entering [[Hennepin County, Minnesota|Hennepin County]] telling motorists to follow County Highways 36 and 37 to reach US 52—which kept them on University, then on 4th St. for historic westbound US 52. Historic westbound US 52 then crossed the Central Avenue bridge (current [[Minnesota State Highway 65]]) and turned onto the current routing of County Highway 81 northwest to [[Osseo, Minnesota|Osseo]]. It then followed the current route of [[U.S. Highway 169]] north to [[Anoka, Minnesota|Anoka]]. |
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In [[Rochester, Minnesota]], US 52 was recently expanded to six lanes. Long-term plans have US 52 from St. Paul to [[Interstate 90]] becoming a freeway, and some have suggested that when the conversion is complete, the freeway should become a spur route for [[Interstate 90]] (I-X90). Currently, [[Interstate 90]] has no spur routes in Minnesota. |
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On April 10, 2015, a [[rockslide]] dropped a boulder the size of a house onto the westbound lanes of US 52 in [[Lawrence County, Ohio|Lawrence County]] just east of the bridge over the [[Ohio River]] to [[Ashland, Kentucky]], leading to closures and detours while two days of cleanup took place.<ref>{{cite news |last = Clay |first = Jarrod |date = April 12, 2015 |title = US 52 Reopened After Crews Clear Debris From 1,500 Ton Boulder |publisher = WCHS-TV |location = Charleston, WV |url = http://www.wchstv.com/news/features/eyewitness-news/stories/Boulder-closes-U-S-Route-52-near-Ashland-Bridges-113444.shtml |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150727003323/http://www.wchstv.com/news/features/eyewitness-news/stories/Boulder-closes-U-S-Route-52-near-Ashland-Bridges-113444.shtml |archive-date = July 27, 2015 |access-date = July 26, 2015 }}</ref> |
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=== U.S. Route 121 (1926) === |
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Established in 1926, US 121 traversed from [[Lexington, North Carolina]], to [[Max Meadows, Virginia]], estimated to be {{convert|107|mi}}. In [[North Carolina]] it overlapped with [[North Carolina Highway 66|NC 66]]; in [[Virginia]] it was overlapped with [[State Route 15 (Virginia 1923-1933)|SR 15]]. In 1934, US 52 was extended southeast into Virginia and North Carolina, and replaced all of US 121.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://members.cox.net/ncroads/ushwys/us021121.html#121 |title = NCRoads.com: US 21 |access-date = February 28, 2011 }}{{self-published inline|date=January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/us52.cfm |title = US 52 Charleston, South Carolina, to Portal, North Dakota |access-date = February 28, 2011 }}</ref> |
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== Future == |
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=== Ohio === |
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Long-term plans call for [[Interstate 74 in Ohio|I-74]] to be expanded eastward along the current US 52 corridor from its current eastern terminus of [[Interstate 75 in Ohio|I-75]] in [[Cincinnati]] to [[U.S. Route 23 in Ohio|US 23]], which has been proposed to be upgraded to [[Interstate Highway standards]] and be signed as [[Interstate 73|I-73]] in [[Portsmouth, Ohio|Portsmouth]]. Lack of sufficient funding has hindered construction upgrades for both freeways in Ohio. |
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== Major intersections == |
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[[File:Dale Gardner Veterans Memorial Bridge.jpg|thumbnail|right|US 52 crosses the [[Mississippi River]] at [[Savanna, Illinois]] and [[Sabula, Iowa]] on the [[Dale Gardner Veterans Memorial Bridge]].]] |
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;North Dakota |
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: {{jct|state=SK|Hwy|39}} at the [[Canada–United States border]] in [[Portal, North Dakota|Portal]] |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|2}} northwest of [[Burlington, North Dakota|Burlington]]. The highways travel concurrently to southeast of [[Minot, North Dakota|Minot]]. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|83}} in Minot |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|281}} in [[Carrington, North Dakota|Carrington]]. The highways travel concurrently to [[Jamestown, North Dakota|Jamestown]]. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|94}} in Jamestown. The highways travel concurrently to [[Saint Paul, Minnesota]]. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|10}} in [[West Fargo, North Dakota|West Fargo]] |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|29|US|81}} in [[Fargo, North Dakota|Fargo]] |
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;Minnesota |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|75}} in [[Moorhead, Minnesota|Moorhead]] |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|59}} in [[Fergus Falls Township, Otter Tail County, Minnesota|Fergus Falls Township]]. The highways travel concurrently to the [[Buse Township, Otter Tail County, Minnesota|Buse]]–[[Dane Prairie Township, Otter Tail County, Minnesota|Dane Prairie]] township line. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|71}} in [[Sauk Centre, Minnesota|Sauk Centre]] |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|494|I|694}} in [[Maple Grove, Minnesota|Maple Grove]]. I-694/US 52 travels concurrently to [[Brooklyn Center, Minnesota|Brooklyn Center]]. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|169}} on the Maple Grove–[[Brooklyn Park, Minnesota|Brooklyn Park]] city line |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|394|US|12}} in [[Minneapolis]]. US 12/US 52 travels concurrently to Saint Paul. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|35W|dab1=Minnesota}} in Minneapolis. The highways travel concurrently, but on separate lanes, through the city. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|35E|dab1=Minnesota}} in Saint Paul. The highways travel concurrently, but on separate lanes, through the city. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|35E|dab1=Minnesota|US|10}} in Saint Paul. US 10/US 52 travels concurrently through the city. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|494}} in [[Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota|Inver Grove Heights]] |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|63}} in [[Rochester, Minnesota|Rochester]]. The highways travel concurrently through the city. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|14}} in Rochester. The highways travel concurrently through the city. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|90}} in [[Marion Township, Olmsted County, Minnesota|Marion Township]] |
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;Iowa |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|18}} in [[Post Township, Allamakee County, Iowa|Post Township]]. The highways travel concurrently to [[Giard Township, Clayton County, Iowa|Giard Township]]. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|20}} in [[Dyersville, Iowa|Dyersville]] The highways travel concurrently to the [[Southwest Arterial]] in Dubuque. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|61|US|151}} near [[Dubuque, Iowa|Dubuque]]. The highways travel concurrently south of the city. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|67}} in [[Union Township, Jackson County, Iowa|Union Township]] |
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;Illinois |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|30}} on the [[Amboy Township, Lee County, Illinois|Amboy]]–[[Franklin Grove Township, Lee County, Illinois|Franklin Grove]] township line |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|34}} in [[Mendota, Illinois|Mendota]] |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|39|US|51}} on the [[Troy Grove Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Troy Grove]]–[[Ophir Township, LaSalle County, Illinois|Ophir]] township line |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|55}} in [[Shorewood, Illinois|Shorewood]] |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|6}} in [[Joliet, Illinois|Joliet]]. The highways travel concurrently through the city. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|80}} in Joliet |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|45}} in [[Peotone Township, Will County, Illinois|Peotone Township]]. The highways travel concurrently to [[Ashkum Township, Iroquois County, Illinois|Ashkum Township]]. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|57}} in [[Kankakee, Illinois|Kankakee]] |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|24}} in [[Concord Township, Iroquois County, Illinois|Concord Township]]. The highways travel concurrently to [[Kentland, Indiana]]. |
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;Indiana |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|24|US|41}} in Kentland. US 41/US 52 travels concurrently to [[Richland Township, Benton County, Indiana|Richland Township]]. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|231}} in [[Montmorenci, Indiana|Montmorenci]]. The highways travel concurrently to [[Wabash Township, Tippecanoe County, Indiana|Wabash Township]]. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|65}} in [[Center Township, Boone County, Indiana|Center Township]]. The highways travel concurrently to [[Eagle Township, Boone County, Indiana|Eagle Township]]. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|65|I|865}} in Eagle Township. I-865/US 52 travels concurrently through the township. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|465|I|865}} in Eagle Township. I-465/US 52 travels concurrently to [[Indianapolis]]. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|421}} in Indianapolis. The highways travel concurrently through the city. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|31}} in [[Carmel, Indiana|Carmel]]. The highways travel concurrently to Indianapolis. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|69}} in Indianapolis. The highways travel concurrently through the city. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|36}} in [[Lawrence, Indiana|Lawrence]]. The highways travel concurrently to Indianapolis. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|70}} in Indianapolis |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|40}} in Indianapolis. The highways travel concurrently through the city. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|465|I|69|US|31|US|36|US|40|US|421}} in Indianapolis |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|74}} in [[Harrison Township, Dearborn County, Indiana|Harrison Township]]. The highways travel concurrently to [[Cincinnati|Cincinnati, Ohio]]. |
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;Ohio |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|275|dab1=Ohio–Indiana–Kentucky}} in [[Whitewater Township, Hamilton County, Ohio|Whitewater Township]]. The highways travel concurrently to [[Taylor Creek, Ohio|Taylor Creek]]. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|27}} in Cincinnati. The highways travel concurrently through the city. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|27|US|127}} in Cincinnati |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|74|I|75}} in Cincinnati. I-75/US 52 travels concurrently through the city. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|27}} in Cincinnati. The highways travel concurrently through the city. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|27|US|127}} in Cincinnati. The highways travel concurrently through the city. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|42}} in Cincinnati. The highways travel concurrently through the city. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|22}} in Cincinnati |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|27|US|50}} in Cincinnati. US 27/US 52 travels concurrently through the city. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|275|dab1=Ohio–Indiana–Kentucky}} in Cincinnati. The highways travel concurrently to [[Anderson Township, Hamilton County, Ohio|Anderson Township]]. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|62|US|68}} in [[Ripley, Ohio|Ripley]]. US 52/US 62 travels concurrently to [[Aberdeen, Ohio|Aberdeen]]. US 52/US 68 travels concurrently to [[Huntington Township, Brown County, Ohio|Huntington Township]]. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|23}} in [[Portsmouth, Ohio|Portsmouth]] |
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: {{jct|state=OH|SR|823}} in [[Sciotodale, Ohio|Sciotodale]] |
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;West Virginia |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|60}} in [[Huntington, West Virginia|Huntington]] |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|64}} in Huntington. The highways travel concurrently to [[Kenova, West Virginia|Kenova]]. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|119}} northeast of [[Nolan, West Virginia|Nolan]]. The highways travel concurrently to [[Williamson, West Virginia|Williamson]]. |
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;Kentucky |
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: No major intersections |
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;West Virginia |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|19}} in [[Bluefield, West Virginia|Bluefield]]. The highways travel concurrently through the city. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|460}} in Bluefield. The highways travel concurrently through the city. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|77}} in Bluefield. The highways travel concurrently to north-northwest of [[Rocky Gap, Virginia]]. |
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;Virginia |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|77}} in Rocky Gap |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|77}} west of [[Bland, Virginia|Bland]] |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|81|US|21}} in [[Wytheville, Virginia|Wytheville]]. I-81/US 52 travel concurrently to [[Fort Chiswell, Virginia|Fort Chiswell]]. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|77}} in Wytheville. The highways travel concurrently to Fort Chiswell. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|11}} in Wytheville. The highways travel concurrently to Fort Chiswell. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|221}} in [[Hillsville, Virginia|Hillsville]] |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|58}} in Hillsville |
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;North Carolina |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|601}} in [[Mount Airy, North Carolina|Mount Airy]] |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|74}} southeast of Mount Airy |
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: {{jct|country=USA|Future|74}} in [[Winston-Salem, North Carolina|Winston-Salem]] |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|311}} in Winston-Salem. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|158|US|421}} in Winston-Salem |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|40|I|285|dab2=North Carolina}} in Winston-Salem. I-285/US 52 travel concurrently to [[Lexington, North Carolina|Lexington]]. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|64}} in Lexington |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|29|US|70}} in Lexington. The highways travel concurrently to northeast of [[Spencer, North Carolina|Spencer]]. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|85|I|285|dab2=North Carolina}} in Lexington. I-85/US 52 travel concurrently to [[Salisbury, North Carolina|Salisbury]]. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|74}} in [[Wadesboro, North Carolina|Wadesboro]]. The highways travel concurrently through the city. |
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;South Carolina |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|1}} in [[Cheraw, South Carolina|Cheraw]]. The highways travel concurrently to south-southwest of Cheraw. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|15|US|401}} in [[Society Hill, South Carolina|Society Hill]]. US 15/US 52 travels concurrently to southwest of Society Hill. US 52/US 401 travels concurrently to [[Darlington, South Carolina|Darlington]]. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|95}} northwest of [[Florence, South Carolina|Florence]] |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|76}} in Florence |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|301}} in Florence. The highways travel concurrently to [[Effingham, South Carolina|Effingham]]. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|378}} north of [[Lake City, South Carolina|Lake City]] |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|521}} east of [[Greeleyville, South Carolina|Greeleyville]] |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|176}} in [[Goose Creek, South Carolina|Goose Creek]] |
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: {{jct|country=USA|US|78}} in [[North Charleston, South Carolina|North Charleston]]. The highways travel concurrently through the city. |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|26}} in North Charleston |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|526}} in North Charleston |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|26}} in [[Charleston, South Carolina|Charleston]] |
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: {{jct|country=USA|I|26|US|17}} in Charleston |
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: Line Street/Meeting Street in Charleston |
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<ref name=randmcnally>{{cite book |author = Rand McNally |year = 2014 |title = The Road Atlas |edition = Walmart |location = Chicago |publisher = Rand McNally |pages = 32, 36–37, 39, 43, 54–55, 74, 77, 80–81, 92, 106, 112|isbn = 978-0-528-00771-2}}</ref> |
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== See also == |
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*[[Interstate 74]] |
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=== Related routes === |
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*[[U.S. Route 152]] |
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=== Special and suffixed routes === |
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{{Main|Special routes of U.S. Route 52}} |
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*[[U.S. Route 52 Spur (Charleston, South Carolina)|U.S. Route 52 Spur]] in [[Charleston, South Carolina]] |
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== References == |
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{{Reflist|30em}} |
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== External links == |
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{{Attached KML|display=title,inline}} |
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{{Commons category}} |
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* [http://usends.com/52.html Endpoints of U.S. Highway 52] |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090630062624/http://highwayexplorer.com/il_EndsPage.php?id=2052§ion=1 Illinois Highway Ends: US 52] |
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090630062629/http://highwayexplorer.com/EndsPage.php?id=2052§ion=1 Indiana Highway Ends: US 52] |
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* [http://www.ohiobyways.com/Ohio_River/OhioRiver.htm/ Ohio River Scenic Byway] |
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{{US Highways}} |
{{US Highways}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
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[[Category:United States Highway system|052]] |
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[[Category:U.S. highways in North Dakota|52]] |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:52}} |
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[[Category:U.S. Route 52| ]] |
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[[Category:Roads in Cincinnati]] |
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[[Category:Scenic byways in Ohio]] |
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[[Category:U.S. Highways in Indiana]] |
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[[Category:U.S. Highways in Ohio]] |
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[[Category:United States Numbered Highway System]] |
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[[Category:U.S. Highways in Kentucky]] |
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Latest revision as of 04:29, 25 November 2024
 U.S. Route 52 | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 US 52 highlighted in red | ||||||||||||||||
| Route information | ||||||||||||||||
| Length | 2,072 mi[citation needed] (3,335 km) | |||||||||||||||
| Existed | 1926[1]–present | |||||||||||||||
| Major junctions | ||||||||||||||||
| West end |  Highway 39 at the Canada–United States border in Portal, ND | |||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||
| East end | Line Street in Charleston, SC | |||||||||||||||
| Location | ||||||||||||||||
| Country | United States | |||||||||||||||
| States | North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina | |||||||||||||||
| Highway system | ||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||
U.S. Route 52 (US 52) is a major United States highway in the central United States that extends from the northern to southeastern region of the United States. Contrary to most other even-numbered U.S. Highways, US 52 primarily follows a northwest–southeast route, and is signed north–south or east–west depending on the local orientation of the route. The highway's northwestern terminus is in Portal, North Dakota at the Canada–United States border, where it continues as Saskatchewan Highway 39. Its southeastern terminus is in Charleston, South Carolina, at Number 2 Meeting Street and White Point Garden along the Charleston Harbor.
Route description
[edit]| mi | km | |
|---|---|---|
| ND | 361 | 581 |
| MN | 377 | 607 |
| IA | 164 | 264 |
| IL | 216 | 348 |
| IN | 198 | 319 |
| OH | 190 | 310 |
| WV/KY | 186 | 299 |
| VA | 85 | 137 |
| NC | 150 | 240 |
| SC | 161 | 259 |
| Total | 2,072 | 3,335 |
North Dakota
[edit]In North Dakota, US 52 continues from Highway 39 from the Canada–United States border at North Portal, Saskatchewan, and Portal, North Dakota, to the Red River in Fargo, a distance of 361 miles (581 km). US 52 is co-signed with US 2 near Minot, where it also intersects with US 83. US 52 is also co-signed with US 281 for 44 miles (71 km) between Jamestown and Carrington. US 52 is concurrent with Interstate 94 (I-94) between Jamestown and the Minnesota state line, co-signed between Jamestown and Fargo; however, all of the interchanges for the Fargo–West Fargo portion of the route are unsigned.
Minnesota
[edit]
In the state of Minnesota, US 52 enters the state with I-94 at Moorhead and follows I-94 southeasterly all the way to the Twin Cities. The portion of the highway which overlaps I-94 is unsigned. From downtown St. Paul, US 52 continues on its own southeast over the Lafayette Bridge in St. Paul, continuing as an expressway to Rochester and the Iowa state line. The Minnesota Department of Transportation has a long-term goal of making US 52 a freeway with limited-access interchanges between St. Paul and I-90 south of Rochester. South from I-94 in St. Paul there is a freeway segment to just south of Concord Boulevard in Inver Grove Heights. The portion of the highway between Inver Grove Heights and Pine Island is built to expressway standards. Another freeway segment begins from Pine Island, through Rochester reaching its largest single capacity in Minnesota through Rochester as a six- to eight-lane freeway, toward I-90 where it converts to a rural two-lane highway. The highway then proceeds to the Iowa state line.
Iowa
[edit]US 52 enters Iowa north of the unincorporated community of Burr Oak. It passes by Luther College on the west side of Decorah. At Calmar the road turns to a southwest–northeast orientation. It joins with US 18 just to the west of Postville. The two highways overlap until a point east of the unincorporated community of Froelich. US 52 roughly parallels the Mississippi River for the rest of its path through Iowa to Dyersville, where it intersects and joins US 20 and turns eastward towards Dubuque.
.jpg)
West of Dubuque, US 52 merges south onto the Southwest Arterial, a four-lane expressway directing traffic around the southern edge of the city. US 52 heads southeast to a junction with US 61 and US 151. All three routes travel northbound (even US 52, which is signed as southbound) as an expressway, until US 52 departs in Key West to remain close to the Mississippi River. After passing through a hilly and scenic region, including the small river city of Bellevue, the highway turns to an east–west orientation near Sabula at the junction of Iowa Highway 64 and the northern terminus of US 67. In Sabula, the highway becomes a wrong-way road; northbound traffic travels south, and vice versa, from Sabula to the Dale Gardner Veterans Memorial Bridge, where US 52 crosses over the Mississippi River into Illinois.
North of Dubuque, US 52 was formerly routed onto a narrow and winding road, concurrently with Iowa Highway 3. While scenic, the road has been the scene of numerous accidents over the years owing to this nature. Between 1964 and 1967, this segment of the route was designated Alternate US 52 and US 52 was rerouted south from Luxemburg to Dyersville along Iowa Highway 136, and east from Dyersville to Dubuque along US 20; however in 1967, US 52 was restored to the Iowa Highway 3 alignment.[2] After the completion of the Southwest Arterial in 2020, a similar change took place as US 52 was once again removed from the Iowa Highway 3 alignment and again routed from Luxemburg to Dyersville to Dubuque, then onto the Southwest Arterial, to US 61/US 151, finally reaching its former routing at Key West.
The majority of US 52 in Iowa is located within the unglaciated Driftless Area.
Illinois
[edit]
In Illinois, US 52 runs southeast from the Dale Gardner Veterans Memorial Bridge at the terminus of Iowa Highway 64 and Illinois Route 64 in Savanna, passing through the cities of Dixon, Amboy and Mendota. US 52 then turns due south and then east, crossing I-39 near Troy Grove. It continues east, passing through Shorewood and then through the southern portion of Joliet, where it is a major thoroughfare in the city of Joliet (Jefferson Street), avoiding the city of Chicago proper. It joins with US 45 through Kankakee, thereafter running concurrently with US 24, east of Watseka to the Indiana state line.
Indiana
[edit]In Indiana, US 52 runs in a northwest–southeast direction. It passes through Lafayette where it used to be on Sagamore Parkway, but was later rerouted onto the US 231 bypass and Teal Road. Northwest of Indianapolis, US 52 runs along the same general area as, and is considered an alternative route to, I-65. In the Indianapolis area, it is overlapped with I-865, I-465, and I-69. East of Indianapolis, it is considered an alternative to I-74 before joining it near the Ohio border.
When US 52 went through Downtown Indianapolis, it went onto Brookville Road, then turned left onto English Avenue. It then joined US 421 when it turned onto Southeastern Avenue. US 52/US 421 joined US 40 when it turned onto Washington Street. It then split into Washington Street (westbound) and Maryland Street (eastbound). US 52 then turned onto West Street (from West Street, it turned onto Maryland Street). US 52 turned on 16th Street, where it would overlap US 136. It then turned onto Lafayette Road, which became Indianapolis Road when reaching Zionsville. When I-65 was completed through Downtown Indianapolis, US 52 got on I-65 from the Lafayette Road interchange, and traveled on I-65 the rest of the way. In 1970, the route was re-routed onto the south belt of I-465 from Brookville Road to I-65. It was re-routed again on its current route around Indianapolis in either 2000 or 2001.
Ohio
[edit]US 52 enters Ohio concurrently with I-74 in northwestern Hamilton County. US 52 then merges with I-75 from I-74's terminus and exits onto Hopple Street in Cincinnati. It runs along Central Parkway and Central Avenue through downtown and then skirts the Cincinnati riverfront along Mehring Way past Paul Brown Stadium, Great American Ball Park, and Heritage Bank Center (formerly U.S. Bank Arena), onto Pete Rose Way and Riverside Drive. From Cincinnati eastward, US 52 generally follows the Ohio River. There is a brief concurrency with I-275 near California, a neighborhood on the far eastern edge of the city of Cincinnati. Towns along its path include New Richmond, Aberdeen, Ripley and Manchester. The section between I-275 and New Richmond was modernized in the 1960s; parts of the old route run parallel to the newer highway. Around Portsmouth and Ironton US 52 has several freeway or expressway sections. In Portsmouth, US 52 intersects US 23. At Chesapeake, US 52 crosses the Ohio River into Huntington, West Virginia.
The sections of US 52 that follow the Ohio River are known as the Ohio River Scenic Byway, which is part of the National Scenic Byway Project. The section between State Route 125 (SR 125) and SR 73 (near Portsmouth) is also designated as Scenic Scioto Heritage Trail. This portion of US 52, along the Ohio between Cincinnati and Huntington, is the only part where it falls in geographical sequence, south of US 50 and north of US 60.
US 52 passes by the birthplace of President Ulysses S. Grant in Point Pleasant.
West Virginia and Kentucky
[edit]US 52 serves western and southern portions of West Virginia, running from Huntington to Bluefield. The highway is undergoing a major expansion project which began in 2007 and at current funding levels is likely to take many years to finish.
During its run through West Virginia, US 52 twice enters Kentucky briefly, along the Williamson, West Virginia, bypass, in order to prevent the blasting of several hillsides in West Virginia. These stretches were completed in 1996 as part of the Corridor G (U.S. Route 119) project. The speed limit in West Virginia is 65 mph (105 km/h), but drops to 55 mph (89 km/h) along the Kentucky portions, as Kentucky law states that any non-freeway (as is US 52) must not have a higher speed limit. In each instance, however, US 52 re-enters West Virginia.
Virginia
[edit]US 52 enters Virginia from West Virginia, and in Virginia closely follows I-77. It enters southwestern Virginia near Bluefield and passes through Wytheville and Hillsville before leaving the state south of Cana.
North Carolina
[edit]
US 52 enters North Carolina just northwest of Mount Airy. It passes Pilot Mountain, one of the most distinctive natural features in North Carolina. Through the Piedmont Triad region, US 52 is mostly a controlled-access freeway. The route joins I-85 Business into Lexington and overlaps I-85 around Salisbury. The segment of US 52 from I-40 in Winston-Salem to Lexington has been upgraded to Interstate Highway standards; I-285 is co-signed along this segment. The segment from northern Winston-Salem to just south of Mount Airy is expected to form part of the I-74 corridor through North Carolina.
South of the Triad area, after splitting from I-85 in Salisbury, US 52 is typically a two-lane route linking some of the state's smaller cities and towns. Albemarle is the largest municipality along this segment of US 52 to the South Carolina state line.
South Carolina
[edit]US 52 enters South Carolina northeast of Cheraw. From Darlington southward it is a multilane highway and freeway, passing through Florence, Lake City, Kingstree, Moncks Corner and North Charleston before US 52's terminus at the intersection of Meeting and Line Streets in Charleston.
History
[edit]![[icon]](/enwiki/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2010) |
Historically, US 52 was routed along University Avenue between Minneapolis and St. Paul. In the 1980s and 1990s, the highway was gradually shifted onto its present route along Interstate 94. However, there was a gap in the definition of the highway for a few years until 1995. Since then, it has been routed along the interstate between the Twin Cities, although as of 2007, there was still a sign on University Avenue entering Hennepin County telling motorists to follow County Highways 36 and 37 to reach US 52—which kept them on University, then on 4th St. for historic westbound US 52. Historic westbound US 52 then crossed the Central Avenue bridge (current Minnesota State Highway 65) and turned onto the current routing of County Highway 81 northwest to Osseo. It then followed the current route of U.S. Highway 169 north to Anoka.
In Rochester, Minnesota, US 52 was recently expanded to six lanes. Long-term plans have US 52 from St. Paul to Interstate 90 becoming a freeway, and some have suggested that when the conversion is complete, the freeway should become a spur route for Interstate 90 (I-X90). Currently, Interstate 90 has no spur routes in Minnesota.
On April 10, 2015, a rockslide dropped a boulder the size of a house onto the westbound lanes of US 52 in Lawrence County just east of the bridge over the Ohio River to Ashland, Kentucky, leading to closures and detours while two days of cleanup took place.[3]
U.S. Route 121 (1926)
[edit]Established in 1926, US 121 traversed from Lexington, North Carolina, to Max Meadows, Virginia, estimated to be 107 miles (172 km). In North Carolina it overlapped with NC 66; in Virginia it was overlapped with SR 15. In 1934, US 52 was extended southeast into Virginia and North Carolina, and replaced all of US 121.[4][5]
Future
[edit]Ohio
[edit]Long-term plans call for I-74 to be expanded eastward along the current US 52 corridor from its current eastern terminus of I-75 in Cincinnati to US 23, which has been proposed to be upgraded to Interstate Highway standards and be signed as I-73 in Portsmouth. Lack of sufficient funding has hindered construction upgrades for both freeways in Ohio.
Major intersections
[edit]
- North Dakota
- Highway 39 at the Canada–United States border in Portal
US 2 northwest of Burlington. The highways travel concurrently to southeast of Minot.
US 83 in Minot
US 281 in Carrington. The highways travel concurrently to Jamestown.
I-94 in Jamestown. The highways travel concurrently to Saint Paul, Minnesota.
US 10 in West Fargo
I-29 / US 81 in Fargo- Minnesota
US 75 in Moorhead
US 59 in Fergus Falls Township. The highways travel concurrently to the Buse–Dane Prairie township line.
US 71 in Sauk Centre
I-494 / I-694 in Maple Grove. I-694/US 52 travels concurrently to Brooklyn Center.
US 169 on the Maple Grove–Brooklyn Park city line
I-394 / US 12 in Minneapolis. US 12/US 52 travels concurrently to Saint Paul.
I-35W in Minneapolis. The highways travel concurrently, but on separate lanes, through the city.
I-35E in Saint Paul. The highways travel concurrently, but on separate lanes, through the city.- I-35E / US 10 in Saint Paul. US 10/US 52 travels concurrently through the city.
- I-494 in Inver Grove Heights
US 63 in Rochester. The highways travel concurrently through the city.
US 14 in Rochester. The highways travel concurrently through the city.
I-90 in Marion Township- Iowa
US 18 in Post Township. The highways travel concurrently to Giard Township.
US 20 in Dyersville The highways travel concurrently to the Southwest Arterial in Dubuque.
US 61 / US 151 near Dubuque. The highways travel concurrently south of the city.
US 67 in Union Township- Illinois
US 30 on the Amboy–Franklin Grove township line
US 34 in Mendota
I-39 / US 51 on the Troy Grove–Ophir township line
I-55 in Shorewood
US 6 in Joliet. The highways travel concurrently through the city.
I-80 in Joliet
US 45 in Peotone Township. The highways travel concurrently to Ashkum Township.
I-57 in Kankakee
US 24 in Concord Township. The highways travel concurrently to Kentland, Indiana.- Indiana
US 24 / US 41 in Kentland. US 41/US 52 travels concurrently to Richland Township.
US 231 in Montmorenci. The highways travel concurrently to Wabash Township.
I-65 in Center Township. The highways travel concurrently to Eagle Township.
I-65 / I-865 in Eagle Township. I-865/US 52 travels concurrently through the township.
I-465 / I-865 in Eagle Township. I-465/US 52 travels concurrently to Indianapolis.
US 421 in Indianapolis. The highways travel concurrently through the city.
US 31 in Carmel. The highways travel concurrently to Indianapolis.
I-69 in Indianapolis. The highways travel concurrently through the city.
US 36 in Lawrence. The highways travel concurrently to Indianapolis.
I-70 in Indianapolis
US 40 in Indianapolis. The highways travel concurrently through the city.- I-465 / I-69 / US 31 / US 36 / US 40 / US 421 in Indianapolis
I-74 in Harrison Township. The highways travel concurrently to Cincinnati, Ohio.- Ohio
I-275 in Whitewater Township. The highways travel concurrently to Taylor Creek.
US 27 in Cincinnati. The highways travel concurrently through the city.
US 27 / US 127 in Cincinnati
I-74 / I-75 in Cincinnati. I-75/US 52 travels concurrently through the city.- US 27 in Cincinnati. The highways travel concurrently through the city.
- US 27 / US 127 in Cincinnati. The highways travel concurrently through the city.
US 42 in Cincinnati. The highways travel concurrently through the city.
US 22 in Cincinnati
US 27 / US 50 in Cincinnati. US 27/US 52 travels concurrently through the city.- I-275 in Cincinnati. The highways travel concurrently to Anderson Township.
US 62 / US 68 in Ripley. US 52/US 62 travels concurrently to Aberdeen. US 52/US 68 travels concurrently to Huntington Township.
US 23 in Portsmouth
SR 823 in Sciotodale- West Virginia
US 60 in Huntington
I-64 in Huntington. The highways travel concurrently to Kenova.
US 119 northeast of Nolan. The highways travel concurrently to Williamson.- Kentucky
- No major intersections
- West Virginia
US 19 in Bluefield. The highways travel concurrently through the city.
US 460 in Bluefield. The highways travel concurrently through the city.
I-77 in Bluefield. The highways travel concurrently to north-northwest of Rocky Gap, Virginia.- Virginia
- I-77 in Rocky Gap
- I-77 west of Bland
I-81 / US 21 in Wytheville. I-81/US 52 travel concurrently to Fort Chiswell.- I-77 in Wytheville. The highways travel concurrently to Fort Chiswell.
US 11 in Wytheville. The highways travel concurrently to Fort Chiswell.
US 221 in Hillsville
US 58 in Hillsville- North Carolina
US 601 in Mount Airy- I-74 southeast of Mount Airy
Future I-74 in Winston-Salem
US 311 in Winston-Salem.
US 158 / US 421 in Winston-Salem
I-40 / I-285 in Winston-Salem. I-285/US 52 travel concurrently to Lexington.
US 64 in Lexington
US 29 / US 70 in Lexington. The highways travel concurrently to northeast of Spencer.
I-85 / I-285 in Lexington. I-85/US 52 travel concurrently to Salisbury.
US 74 in Wadesboro. The highways travel concurrently through the city.- South Carolina
US 1 in Cheraw. The highways travel concurrently to south-southwest of Cheraw.
US 15 / US 401 in Society Hill. US 15/US 52 travels concurrently to southwest of Society Hill. US 52/US 401 travels concurrently to Darlington.
I-95 northwest of Florence
US 76 in Florence
US 301 in Florence. The highways travel concurrently to Effingham.
US 378 north of Lake City
US 521 east of Greeleyville
US 176 in Goose Creek
US 78 in North Charleston. The highways travel concurrently through the city.
I-26 in North Charleston
I-526 in North Charleston- I-26 in Charleston
I-26 / US 17 in Charleston- Line Street/Meeting Street in Charleston
See also
[edit]Related routes
[edit]Special and suffixed routes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Bureau of Public Roads & American Association of State Highway Officials (November 11, 1926). United States System of Highways Adopted for Uniform Marking by the American Association of State Highway Officials (Map). 1:7,000,000. Washington, DC: United States Geological Survey. OCLC 32889555. Retrieved March 25, 2018 – via Wikimedia Commons.
- ^ "Iowa Highways Page US 52". Retrieved October 4, 2014.[self-published source?]
- ^ Clay, Jarrod (April 12, 2015). "US 52 Reopened After Crews Clear Debris From 1,500 Ton Boulder". Charleston, WV: WCHS-TV. Archived from the original on July 27, 2015. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
- ^ "NCRoads.com: US 21". Retrieved February 28, 2011.[self-published source?]
- ^ "US 52 Charleston, South Carolina, to Portal, North Dakota". Retrieved February 28, 2011.
- ^ Rand McNally (2014). The Road Atlas (Walmart ed.). Chicago: Rand McNally. pp. 32, 36–37, 39, 43, 54–55, 74, 77, 80–81, 92, 106, 112. ISBN 978-0-528-00771-2.
External links
[edit]
- Endpoints of U.S. Highway 52
- Illinois Highway Ends: US 52
- Indiana Highway Ends: US 52
- Ohio River Scenic Byway
Routes in italics are no longer a part of the system. Highlighted routes are considered main routes of the system. |
