Minnesota State Highway 13

Minnesota State Highway 13 is a state highway in southern Minnesota, connecting Prior Lake to New Prague, passing through Scott County and Le Sueur County. The highway runs through the Minnesota River valley, providing access to several Minnesota cities, including Savage, Burnsville, and Eagan. The highway also intersects with several major highways, including Interstate 35 and U.S. Route 169.

● Route Description

The highway begins at the Iowa border, where it connects to Iowa Highway 13 in Fayette County, Iowa, near the city of Fayette, Iowa. From there, it runs north through Prior Lake, passing near Lakeville and Farmington, before intersecting with Minnesota State Highway 19 in New Prague. Along the way, the highway passes through the Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area and the Fort Snelling State Park, which are managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and offer opportunities for outdoor recreation, such as hiking and fishing, near the Minnesota River. The highway also runs near the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, and the Mall of America in Bloomington.

● History

The highway was established in 1933, as part of a major expansion of the Minnesota State Highway System, which included the construction of new highways, such as U.S. Route 61 and U.S. Route 71. The highway was originally designed to connect the cities of Prior Lake and New Prague, providing a direct route between the two cities and improving access to the surrounding areas, including Dakota County and Rice County. Over the years, the highway has undergone several improvements, including the construction of new interchanges and the widening of the road to accommodate increasing traffic volumes, with the help of the Federal Highway Administration and the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The highway has also been recognized for its scenic beauty, with sections of the road passing through the Minnesota River Valley and offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside, near the Mississippi River and the St. Croix River.

● Major Intersections

The highway intersects with several major highways, including Interstate 35, U.S. Route 169, and Minnesota State Highway 19. The highway also intersects with several county roads, including Dakota County Road 42 and Scott County Road 17, which provide access to the surrounding areas, including the cities of Shakopee and Jordan. The highway's intersection with Interstate 35 is a major interchange, with multiple lanes and ramps, and is managed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. The highway's intersection with U.S. Route 169 is also a major interchange, providing access to the cities of Mankato and St. Peter, and is near the Minnesota State University, Mankato.

● Communities

The highway passes through several communities, including Prior Lake, Savage, Burnsville, and New Prague. The highway also passes near several other communities, including Lakeville, Farmington, and Eagan, which are located in Dakota County and Scott County. The highway provides access to several Minnesota attractions, including the Mall of America in Bloomington, the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, and the University of Minnesota, as well as the Minneapolis Institute of Art and the Walker Art Center. The highway also passes near the Fort Snelling State Park and the Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area, which offer opportunities for outdoor recreation, such as hiking and fishing, near the Minnesota River and the Mississippi River.

● Designations

The highway has been designated as a Minnesota State Highway since its establishment in 1933, and is managed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The highway has also been recognized as a scenic byway, with sections of the road passing through the Minnesota River Valley and offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside, near the St. Croix River and the Mississippi River. The highway's scenic designation is managed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, in partnership with the National Scenic Byways Program and the America's Byways program, which also recognizes other scenic byways, such as the Great River Road and the North Shore Scenic Drive. The highway's designation as a scenic byway has helped to promote tourism in the area, with visitors drawn to the highway's scenic views and access to nearby attractions, including the Voyageurs National Park and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.