U.S. Highway 218 is a spur of U.S. Highway 18. It is one of the original United States Highways of 1926. It is one of the few remaining north-south US routes with an even number. It is a rare route in that it intersects its 'parent', U.S. Highway 18, in the middle of its route, and has always done so.

Termini

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As of 2005, the highway's northern terminus is in Owatonna, Minnesota at Interstate 35. Its southern terminus is Keokuk, Iowa at U.S. Highway 136, approximately 319 miles (513 km) to the south. Prior to 1938, its southern terminus was at U.S. Highway 30 in southern Benton County, Iowa.

Principal cities

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• Austin, Minnesota
• Waterloo, Iowa
• Cedar Rapids, Iowa
• Iowa City, Iowa
• Keokuk, Iowa

Towns in Steele County served by 218

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The following Steele County cities, towns, townships, and unincorporated population centers are located on 218 (listed from north to south).

• Owatonna, Minnesota
• Pratt (unincorporated)
• Bixby (unincorporated)
• Blooming Prairie, Minnesota

Towns in Mower County served by 218

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The following Mower County cities, towns, townships and unincorporated population centers are located on 218 (listed from north to south).

• Lansing Township, Minnesota
• Austin, Minnesota
• Lyle, Minnesota

Avenue of the Saints segments

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U.S. 218 is part of the Avenue of the Saints between Floyd and Cedar Falls, Iowa, and again between Cedar Rapids and a point south of Donnellson, Iowa. North of Mount Pleasant, Iowa the parts of US 218 that follow the Avenue have been completely upgraded to four lanes, with either at-grade intersections or controlled access. When 218 is part of the Avenue of the Saints, it is co-signed with Iowa Highway 27.

History

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In 1913, work on the road that is now U.S. 218 was begun. At this time it was called the Red Ball Route. It was called this because the original route was marked with poles which had red balls, six inches in diameter, mounted on each side. In 1920, the Minnesota portion of the route was designated as Constitutional Route 40, as part of the Babcock Amendment that established the Minnesota trunk highway system.

References

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• "Mill on the Willow: A History of Mower County, Minnesota" by various authors. Library of Congress No. 84-062356

See also

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• List of U.S. Routes

External link

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• Endpoints of US highways (used with permission)

Three-digit U.S. Highways | U.S. Highways in Iowa | U.S. Highways in Minnesota | Mower County, Minnesota