Minnesota Honors Pop Legend Prince With Dedicated Stretch of Highway

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed a bill on Tuesday dedicating a seven-mile stretch of highway that runs through the Minneapolis suburbs of Chanhassen and Eden Prairie to honor the late Minnesota icon Prince.

The Purple One passed away in 2016 at the age of 57 due to an accidental overdose of fentanyl, leaving behind a legacy that includes a staggering 100 million records sold worldwide, induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and hits like "Purple Rain," "Let's Go Crazy," "When Doves Cry" and "1999."

Today, I signed a bill renaming a state highway in honor of Prince – an artist who transformed the music scene in Minnesota and across the world.

Prince was a proud Minnesotan through and through, and it's only fitting that we honor this icon in the community he called home. pic.twitter.com/bWYb6bHpif

— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) May 9, 2023

"Prince transformed the music scene in Minnesota and across the world, and he continues to inspire to this day," said Walz, who used purple ink to sign the bill dedicating the roadway. "Prince was a proud Minnesotan through and through, and it is only fitting that we honor one of the greatest musical and creative icons in the community he called home."

Wonderful 2 hear that Minnesota Senate voted 55-5 4 renaming part of Highway 5 in Chanhassen 2 Prince Rogers Nelson Memorial Highway & for stipulating the sign must B in purple 💜#Prince #Prince4Ever #PaisleyPark #Love4OneAnother #PaisleyParkIsInUrHeart pic.twitter.com/TAGHlOqjly

— PrinceShop.Online (@RockItPooleUK) May 5, 2023

The roadway formerly known as Minnesota Highway 5 will now be called the Prince Rogers Nelson Memorial Highway, a fitting tribute to the legendary musician. The legislation was passed by both the House and Senate, with a requirement that the sign must be in purple. Four purple signs, paid for by Prince's friends and fans, will soon be placed along the highway.

Chanhassen is home to Paisley Park, Prince's 65,000-square-foot longtime home and recording complex, which is now a museum dedicated to the Purple One run by his estate. The new highway will run alongside Paisley Park Studios, where Prince would test out his new music with his engineers by riding up and down the highway, listening to how it sounded in the car.

"Prince gave us art, energy, beautiful poetry with his lyrics, and he was a constant symbol of peace, love, and unbridled joy in a world where we are often left standing alone in a world that is so cold," said Rep. Lucy Rehm (DFL-Chanhassen), the bill's author.

The legislation was passed on April 21, the seventh anniversary of Prince's death.