Historic U.S. 61: Old Alignment South of Hinckley
Old Alignment South of Hinckley
Located In: Hinckley Township, Pine County.
Bypassed: 1949
Length: 0.60 miles
Also Marked As:
1934-1949
Until 1934
A section of old U.S. 61 still exists just south of the town of Hinckley off of Pine County Road 61, just north of the Highway 23 exit (exit 180) on I-35. Sadly, this road is no longer open to the public.
Construction
This section was completed in 1926 as part of the paving of U.S. 61 between Mission Creek and Friesland (at County Road 26 north of Hinckley). The pavement was concrete, 18 feet wide.
Bypass History
This section was bypassed in the 1949 modernization of U.S. 61 between Mission Creek and Friesland in order to soften the curve at the north end of the bridge over the former Northern Pacific Tracks.
Current Status
Although the old pavement appears intact from aerial photos, this road is no longer public - one of the current land owners has even constructed a shed directly on top of the old grade! The north end of the road is visible from County Road 133, while the south end is visible off of County 61.
On a visit in November, 2009, I found the north end blocked with various pieces of machinery and other equipment. The old pavement was still visible however.
