Route 52 passes through the suburbs of West Kildonan, the North End, Downtown, Fort Rouge, St. Boniface, and St. Vital.

It originated as the trail between Lower Fort Garry and the various settlements huddled around the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers.

Upper Fort Garry was eventually demolished by the city in order to straighten the southern portion of Main Street and realign it to its current configuration.

The north gate, the sole surviving piece of Upper Fort Garry, stands near the corner of Broadway and Main.

[4] It was originally a trail that led from the parish south to the United States border at Emerson along the east side of the Red River.