History of Secondary Highway 651:
Secondary Highway 651 is a minor collector highway that serves the communities of Dalton and Missanabie, east of Wawa. Highway 651 was a new highway that was
constructed in the 1960s, extending north from the Highway 101 Junction to Missanabie. The first section of Highway 651 was officially opened to traffic on
July 1, 1967, between Dalton and Missanabie. The balance of the highway from Highway 101 to Dalton was completed during 1968, although it wasn't officially opened to
traffic until April 30, 1969. The route of Highway 651 was initially gravel-surfaced for its entire length. Although sections of the highway were paved as early as
1975, the majority of Highway 651 wasn't paved until 1983. When I last drove this highway in 2001, the route was paved. However, it was reported to me recently that
many sections of the highway are now gravel-surfaced. Unless posted otherwise, the speed limit on Highway 651 is 80 km/h (50 mph). There are no services
available on this highway other than in Missanabie.
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