old61 Historic U.S. 61: South Service Drive at Rush City

South Service Drive at Rush City

Located In: Rush City, Chisago County.

Bypassed: 1951

Length: 0.10 miles

Also Marked As:

Until 1934

A short service drive on the south side of Rush City was once part of the original paved highway between the Twin Cities and Duluth.

Construction

The surviving section was originally completed in 1927 as part of a paving project that stretched all the way from Wyoming to Rock Creek. The road was paved with 18 feet of concrete.

Bypass History

U.S. 61 was rebuilt and modernized between North Branch and Rush City in 1951. The new road was designed with a less severe curve on the south side of town, allowing part of the original highway to be reused as a service drive. Instead of being left as-is, the old road was rebuilt and widened over the original pavement.

Current Status

The service drive appears to still be intact in its 1951 configuration.


Photos - taken in October, 2009.


Looking north at the south end of the service drive.

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