I'm from MPLS too, and I've never heard it called "the 494," or any highways called"the ___." It's just 494. I have no idea what inspired Craig to say it differently, like someone else said he must've picked it up living somewhere else. Also, for those not from the twin cities, Bloomington is a suburb south of Minneapolis, so it fits with the "southtown" references. Three of the streets he name-drops, Lyndale, Nicollet, and Penn, will take you down there. Most of the MN references aren't terribly important to understanding Hold Steady songs though, it's just nice to hear when your'e a local...
I'm from MPLS too, and I've never heard it called "the 494," or any highways called"the ___." It's just 494. I have no idea what inspired Craig to say it differently, like someone else said he must've picked it up living somewhere else. Also, for those not from the twin cities, Bloomington is a suburb south of Minneapolis, so it fits with the "southtown" references. Three of the streets he name-drops, Lyndale, Nicollet, and Penn, will take you down there. Most of the MN references aren't terribly important to understanding Hold Steady songs though, it's just nice to hear when your'e a local...