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Dakota County's Trunk Highways
Modern Route Photos - State Highway 20
Goodhue County Line to Jct. with State Highway 50
History
Highway 20 is a remnant of Minnesota's original constitutional route system. Although now only a short connecting route between US 61 and Cannon Falls, Highway 20's route originally extended all the way to Iowa via Rochester along what is now US Highway 52. Other than Highway 50 between Farmington and Hampton, Highway 20 is the only route to still have its original 1921 designation in Dakota County. The road still follows the grade constructed and paved in 1930 / 1931, which was built to follow the alignment of the old gravel county road . The original 20 foot concrete pavement is buried under the modern 26 foot wide bituminous surface. The highway was widened to its current width in 1989.
Photos
Photos from May, 2007 unless stated otherwise
Entering Dakota County on Highway 20, northbound.
Following: Scenes along Highway 20 northbound as it passes through the rolling
farmland of southeastern Dakota County.
Junction and Northern Terminus: At State Highway 50 and US Highway 61.
Approaching the the junction with State Highway 50 and US 61 on Highway 20
northbound.
More signage at the junction and northern end of Highway 20. Up ahead is the
old northern extension to US Highway 61, which was closed when the junction
was reconstructed in 1984. Note the yellow "Dead End" sign (just
visible, center). Although Highway 20 no longer technically meets US 61, the
signage at the junction was designed to overlook this, as the connection via
the eastern end of Highway 50 is very short. The turn lane was added in 1989.
All ends are beginnings ...Looking south down highway 20 from its northern
terminus. This intersection was once known as "four corners" (according
to highway plans from the 1930's). The original four-way intersection was
just to the west (right) of the current junction with Highway 50. In 1921,
four corners became the junction of State Highway 20 with State Highway 3,
the original designation for what also became US HIghway 61 in 1926 (Highway
3 was retired in Dakota County in 1934). (Photo from October, 2005)
Another view, looking south down the old connection to US 61 towards
the junction of Highway 20 with Highway 50.
(Photo from July, 2006)
Back to State HIghway 20 - Route Profile
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