Interstate 535 Minnesota / Wisconsin

History

Southern Terminus

Northern Terminus

Routing

Interstate 535 is a short freeway linking Duluth, Minnesota, with Superior, Wisconsin, via the Blatnik Bridge. U.S. 53 duplexes with the highway from end to end.

History

Interstate 535 opened in September 1971.¹

	Southern Terminus - U.S. 2 - Superior, Wisconsin Perspective from Interstate 535 and U.S. 53 south Approaching the south end of Interstate 535, the cross street ahead is North Fifth Street, and the street straight ahead is Hammond Avenue. U.S. 2 crosses Hammond ten blocks ahead. Photo taken by Monte Castleman (07/02). An END Interstate 535 shield assembly and associated street signage is posted in Superior at the end of the freeway section. Photo taken by Jeff Royston (10/00). Perspective from Interstate 535 and U.S. 53 north This nighttime view shows trailblazer shields for Interstate 535 and U.S. 53 north at the Wisconsin 35 intersection. Photo taken by Patrick Lilja (05/30/05). Looking north at the beginning of Interstate 535 from North Fifth Street, in the distance you can see the ramp from where northbound U.S. 53 joins, and the start of the Blatnik Bridge. The sign in the distance reads "North Interstate 535 (and) U.S. 53 Duluth". At the far left of the picture you can see the back of the "END Interstate 535" shield assembly (see above photograph). Photo taken by Monte Castleman (07/02). Northern Terminus - Interstate 35 - Duluth, Minnesota Perspective from Interstate 535 and U.S. 53 north Traveling north on Interstate 535 and U.S. 53, the penultimate exit is for Garfield Avenue and Port Terminal. The following exit is with Interstate 35. Photo taken by Patrick Lilja (05/30/05). This nighttime view shows the lane allocation for the junction with Interstate 35: left lane for Interstate 35 south and U.S. 53 north and right lane for Interstate 35 north to Minnesota 61. Photo taken by Patrick Lilja (05/30/05). Looking northwest at the last overhead directional sign on Interstate 535, showing the split between the ramps to Interstate 35 north and Interstate 35 south/U.S. 53 north. This interchange is known as the "Can of Worms," and it is elevated over some railroad tracks. There is no END shield to be found anywhere on the north end. Photo taken by Monte Castleman (07/02). Perspective from Interstate 35 north Now traveling northbound on Interstate 35 at Exit 254 (27th Avenue West), this is the first announcement of the Interstate 535/U.S. 53 junction (Exit 255B). Photo taken by Patrick Lilja (07/04/05). Northbound Interstate 35 meets Junction Interstate 535/U.S. 53 south (Exit 255B, right exit) and Junction U.S. 53 north (Exit 255A, left exit). Photo taken by Patrick Lilja (07/04/05). Perspective from Interstate 35 south Southbound Interstate 35 approaches Interstate 535/U.S. 53. Photo taken by Don Greiskalns (6/01). The connection from Interstate 35 south to Interstate 535/U.S. 53 south (Exit 255B) is a left exit. The next exit is Exit 255A, U.S. 53 north. Note the lack of control cities or cardinal direction for Interstate 35 (should say south to Minneapolis/St. Paul). Photo taken by Patrick Lilja (07/04/05). Perspective from U.S. 53 south This sign bridge on U.S. 53 south is located at the merge with Interstate 535 at Interstate 35. Minnesota 61 was originally U.S. 61. Photo taken by Jeff Royston (10/00).

Sources:

1. Interstate 535 @ Wikipedia.org.

Page Updated February 13, 2007.