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M-50 (Michigan highway)
Encyclopedia
M-50 is a state trunkline highway
in the US state of Michigan
. Although designated as an east–west highway, it is nearly a diagonal northwest-southeast route. It has its western terminus near Alto
a few miles/kilometers east of the metro Grand Rapids area and its eastern terminus in downtown Monroe
now at Telegraph Road as of October 1, 2006.
at exit 52 just south of Lowell
in southeastern Kent County
. The route then proceeds south before turning east on 92nd Street where it crosses into Ionia County
and continues on into Lake Odessa
. In Lake Odessa, the road bends around the north side of Jordan Lake
, curving to the south and then back east as it heads towards a junction with M-66
and M-43
.
Upon meeting up with M-43, the two routes run concurrently for about a mile before M-50 breaks off to the southwest just east of Woodbury. From there, the road continues its southeast path, as the Clinton Trail, through the northeast part of Eaton County
as it descends into Charlotte
. Just prior to entering the city, the road bends to the south and near the middle of town it has a junction with M-79
. After M-79, the road continues south for a several blocks before turning east where it has an interchange with I-69
at exit 60.
. Upon reaching the city, the road converges with M-99
and junction with M-188
on the south side of the Grand River
. The two highways run south out of the city and immediately prior to entering Jackson County
the two roads diverge with M-99 heading off to the southwest and M-50 to the southeast.
M-50 continues its journey through Jackson County, winding its way to the southeast through rural fields and small forests. The residential buildup begins as the road approaches the US 127
freeway north of Jackson
. Upon reaching Blackman Township, M-50 merges with US 127 to run concurrently into the north side of Jackson. After having an interchange with I-94
at exit 138, where US 127 exits to run east on I-94 for 4 miles (6.4 km), M-50 and Business US 127 (BUS US 127) run concurrently into the city as West Avenue passing by the Jackson Crossing shopping mall. The road then proceeds south through the northern side of the city before turning east on Michigan Avenue as it heads towards downtown.
station on Cooper Street, where M-50 turns south and then southeast as Brooklyn Road. On the south side of Jackson, M-50 and US 127 meet up once again just east of Vandercook Lake
, and heads east away from Vandercook Lake.
The route then heads southeast to Napoleon
, where the road then turns south and heads towards Brooklyn
, part of the Irish Hills
area of Lenawee County
, a region known for scenery. The road serves as main street for downtown Brooklyn as well as the primary thoroughfare for drivers headed to Michigan International Speedway
. M-50 curves around the north and east side of the race track before having a junction with US 12
just southeast of Brooklyn. After crossing US 12, the road passes between several lakes of the Irish Hills area including Washington, Little Stony and Marrs Lakes before continuing on its southeast journey towards Tecumseh
.
After leaving the Brooklyn area, the road returns to its rural experience as it cuts through agricultural fields. Just before passing through Tipton, the road passes by the entrance to Hidden Lake Gardens
, a botanical garden and arboretum operated by Michigan State University
. Soon after passing Hidden Lake, the road junctions with M-52
and continues into Tecumseh. Known as Chicago Boulevard, the road serves as the main route through the city. After leaving the city, the road quickly passes through the communities of Ridgeway and Britton
before leaving Lenawee County.
, the highway passes just to the south of Cabela's
, a 225000 square feet (20,903.2 m²) outdoor sports retailer in Dundee
. As of 2007 it is the 3rd largest of 32 stores of its kind in the United States
. After leaving Dundee, the road continues to the southeast, running to the south of the Raisin River, through rural areas as South Custer Road before entering the outskirts of Monroe
where it finally ends its journey at a junction with US 24, known locally as Telegraph Road.
Past US 24, the road continues as Front Street to a junction with I-75
at exit 13. This is a former part of M-50 that was eliminated first in 1996 when it was scaled back to end at M-125
in downtown Monroe and again in 2006 when it was finally scaled back to its present ending with US 24.
route for those who sought to avoid greater Lansing
. Except for segments in which it coincides with US 127 it is all undivided surface road. When M-50 was first commissioned into the highway system in 1920, it started at a junction with M-23
in Cambridge, just south of Brooklyn
which is present day US 12. From there it ran to the southeast, similar to its present day routing, through Dundee
and Tecumseh
to M-65
(later US 23) where it then turned north to Grape then southeast into downtown Monroe
. In 1925, the western end of M-50 is extended north through Brooklyn and Napoleon
to a new terminus in Jackson
.
In 1928, M-50 undergoes a major lengthening as its western terminus is extended from Jackson to Eaton Rapids
, Charlotte
and Vermontville
before intersecting M-39
just east of Woodbury. From this point, M-50 is routed over M-39 to US 16
near Alto
. M-50 then runs concurrently with US 16 into Grand Rapids
where it turned to the west and traveled through Allendale
before heading northwest and terminating in Grand Haven
at a junction with US 31
. A few years later, the western end of the route is realigned to run out of Grand Rapids to Agnew
, terminating at US 31 eight miles (13 km) south of its previous end.
In 1951, when the US 12 bypass is constructed, US 127 and M-50 are routed onto it on the north side of Jackson
. In 1953, the route is realigned onto the south and west beltline to bypass Grand Rapids
. The old routing through Grand Rapids becomes Business M-50. The M-50 assignment is also removed from the US 12 bypass of Jackson west of US&hnbsp;127 once it was finished.
In 1959, when the US 127 freeway bypass east of Jackson opens up, and the old routing through town becomes BUS US 127 and BUS M-50. The concurrency with US 23 between Dundee
and the Ohio border is dropped after the new US 23 freeway is opened, the old route becomes designated, solely, M-50. In 1961, when the I-96/US 16/M-50 freeway is extended to the northwest in Grand Rapids, the old M-50 routing through the city becomes M-11
.
In 1964, the western end of M-50 gets truncated from its junction with US 31 back to I-96 south of Lowell
at exit 52. The decommissioned alignment from exit 40 to Agnew is then given the M-45
designation. In 1966, the eastern end of M-50 is extended to take over the remaining portion of M-56 shifting the terminus to the southeast to end at an interchange with I-75 at exit 15. Thirty years later, this extension would get truncated as the terminus is scaled back to M-125
in Monroe. Finally in 2006, the section of M-50 between M-125 and US 24
is also removed, shortening the highway by about a mile.
Michigan Highway System
The Michigan State Trunkline Highway System is made up of all the highways designated as Interstates, U.S. Highways and State Highways in the US state of Michigan. The system is maintained by the Michigan Department of Transportation and comprises of trunklines in all 83 counties of Michigan on...
in the US state of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. Although designated as an east–west highway, it is nearly a diagonal northwest-southeast route. It has its western terminus near Alto
Alto, Michigan
Alto is an unincorporated community in Bowne Township, Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on Platt Lake Creek, at the intersection of Bancroft Avenue and 60th Street, just west of M-50 about two miles south of exit 52 off I-96. Alto was founded in 1845 by Daniel Skidmore. A...
a few miles/kilometers east of the metro Grand Rapids area and its eastern terminus in downtown Monroe
Monroe, Michigan
Monroe is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 20,733 at the 2010 census. It is the largest city and county seat of Monroe County. The city is bordered on the south by Monroe Charter Township, but both are politically independent. The city is located approximately 14 miles ...
now at Telegraph Road as of October 1, 2006.
I-96 to I-69
M-50 begins at an interchange with I-96Interstate 96
Interstate 96 is an intrastate Interstate Highway that is entirely within the US state of Michigan. Its western terminus is at an interchange with US Highway 31 and Business US Highway 31 , on the western boundary of Norton Shores southeast of Muskegon. Its eastern terminus is at I-75 near the...
at exit 52 just south of Lowell
Lowell, Michigan
Lowell is a city in Kent County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 4,013. The city is in the northern portion of Lowell Township, but is politically independent...
in southeastern Kent County
Kent County, Michigan
-Air Service:*Commercial air service to Grand Rapids is provided by Gerald R. Ford International Airport . Previously named Kent County International Airport, it holds Grand Rapids' mark in modern history with the United States' first regularly scheduled airline service, beginning July 31, 1926,...
. The route then proceeds south before turning east on 92nd Street where it crosses into Ionia County
Ionia County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 61,518 people, 20,606 households, and 15,145 families residing in the county. The population density was 107 people per square mile . There were 22,006 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile...
and continues on into Lake Odessa
Lake Odessa, Michigan
-External links:...
. In Lake Odessa, the road bends around the north side of Jordan Lake
Jordan Lake
B. Everett Jordan Lake is a reservoir located west of Raleigh and south of Durham in Chatham County, North Carolina, in the United States of America. The northernmost end of the lake actually reaches into southwestern Durham County...
, curving to the south and then back east as it heads towards a junction with M-66
M-66 (Michigan highway)
M-66 is a north–south state trunkline highway on the Lower Peninsula of the US state of Michigan. It runs from the Indiana state line in the south to Charlevoix in the north. M-66 is the only state highway to traverse almost the entire north–south distance of the LP. It starts as a...
and M-43
M-43 (Michigan highway)
M-43 is a state trunkline highway in southwestern and central parts of the US state of Michigan. The highway runs from South Haven to Webberville along an indirect path through both rural areas and larger cities...
.
Upon meeting up with M-43, the two routes run concurrently for about a mile before M-50 breaks off to the southwest just east of Woodbury. From there, the road continues its southeast path, as the Clinton Trail, through the northeast part of Eaton County
Eaton County, Michigan
Eaton County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 107,759. The county seat is Charlotte. Eaton County was named for John Eaton, who was Secretary of War under U.S. President Andrew Jackson, making it one of Michigan's Cabinet counties...
as it descends into Charlotte
Charlotte, Michigan
Charlotte is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 9,074. It is the county seat of Eaton County....
. Just prior to entering the city, the road bends to the south and near the middle of town it has a junction with M-79
M-79 (Michigan highway)
M-79 is an east–west state trunkline highway in the central portion of Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. The western terminus is about three miles southeast of Hastings at the junction with M-37 and the eastern terminus is in downtown Charlotte at the junction with M-50 and...
. After M-79, the road continues south for a several blocks before turning east where it has an interchange with I-69
Interstate 69 in Michigan
Interstate 69 is a part of the Interstate Highway System that currently runs from Indianapolis, Indiana, to the US–Canadian border at Port Huron, Michigan. In Michigan, it is a state trunkline highway that enters the state south of Coldwater and passes through the cities of Lansing and Flint...
at exit 60.
I-69 to I-94
After heading east past the junction with I-69, the road turns southeast as it heads through rural fields towards Eaton RapidsEaton Rapids, Michigan
Eaton Rapids is a city in Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 5,214 at the 2010 census.The city is located in the south of Eaton Rapids Township, on the boundary with Hamlin Township, though it is politically independent of both townships...
. Upon reaching the city, the road converges with M-99
M-99 (Michigan highway)
M-99 is a state highway in the Lower Peninsula of the US state of Michigan. It runs from the Ohio state border, where it connects to SR 15, north to Lansing where it terminates at a junction with I-496...
and junction with M-188
M-188 (Michigan highway)
M-188 is a state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan. Although designated as an east–west highway, it is nearly a diagonal northwest-southeast route...
on the south side of the Grand River
Grand River (Michigan)
The Grand River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Michigan. It runs through the cities of Jackson, Eaton Rapids, Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Grand Haven.-Description:...
. The two highways run south out of the city and immediately prior to entering Jackson County
Jackson County, Michigan
As of the census of 2000, there were 158,422 people, 58,168 households, and 40,833 families residing in the county. The population density was 224 people per square mile . There were 62,906 housing units at an average density of 89/sq mi...
the two roads diverge with M-99 heading off to the southwest and M-50 to the southeast.
M-50 continues its journey through Jackson County, winding its way to the southeast through rural fields and small forests. The residential buildup begins as the road approaches the US 127
U.S. Route 127 in Michigan
US Highway 127 is a part of the United States Numbered Highway System that runs from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to the Lower Peninsula of the US state of Michigan. In Michigan, it is a state trunkline highway that runs for , entering from Ohio south of Hudson and ending at a partial interchange with...
freeway north of Jackson
Jackson, Michigan
Jackson is a city located along Interstate 94 in the south central area of the U.S. state of Michigan, about west of Ann Arbor and south of Lansing. It is the county seat of Jackson County. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 33,534...
. Upon reaching Blackman Township, M-50 merges with US 127 to run concurrently into the north side of Jackson. After having an interchange with I-94
Interstate 94 in Michigan
Interstate 94 is a part of the Interstate Highway System that runs from Billings, Montana, to the Lower Peninsula of the US state of Michigan. In Michigan, it is a state trunkline highway that enters the state south of New Buffalo...
at exit 138, where US 127 exits to run east on I-94 for 4 miles (6.4 km), M-50 and Business US 127 (BUS US 127) run concurrently into the city as West Avenue passing by the Jackson Crossing shopping mall. The road then proceeds south through the northern side of the city before turning east on Michigan Avenue as it heads towards downtown.
I-94 to M-52
In downtown Jackson, Michigan Avenue continues into downtown while M-50 is routed around the city center along paired one way streets. Washington Street carries eastbound traffic and the Louis Glick Highway. On the east side of downtown, the roads merge near the Jackson AmtrakAmtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
station on Cooper Street, where M-50 turns south and then southeast as Brooklyn Road. On the south side of Jackson, M-50 and US 127 meet up once again just east of Vandercook Lake
Vandercook Lake, Michigan
Vandercook Lake is an unincorporated community in Summit Township, Jackson County, Michigan. It is also a census-designated place for statistical purposes and without any legal status as an incorporated municipality...
, and heads east away from Vandercook Lake.
The route then heads southeast to Napoleon
Napoleon, Michigan
Napoleon is an unincorporated community in Napoleon Township of Jackson County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also a Census-designated place for statistical purposes and without any legal status as an incorporated municipality...
, where the road then turns south and heads towards Brooklyn
Brooklyn, Michigan
Brooklyn is a village in Jackson County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 1,176. It is located just off U.S. Highway 12 Brooklyn (formerly Swainsville) is a village in Jackson County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the village...
, part of the Irish Hills
Irish Hills
The Irish Hills is an area of land located roughly in southeastern Jackson County and northwest Lenawee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Its name comes from the Irish immigrants who settled there from 1830-1850...
area of Lenawee County
Lenawee County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 98,890 people, 35,930 households, and 26,049 families residing in the county. The population density was 132 people per square mile . There were 39,769 housing units at an average density of 53 per square mile...
, a region known for scenery. The road serves as main street for downtown Brooklyn as well as the primary thoroughfare for drivers headed to Michigan International Speedway
Michigan International Speedway
Michigan International Speedway is a two-mile moderate-banked D-shaped superspeedway located off U.S. Highway 12 on more than in Brooklyn, in the scenic Irish Hills area of southeastern Michigan. The track is used primarily for NASCAR events. It is sometimes known as a "sister track" to Texas...
. M-50 curves around the north and east side of the race track before having a junction with US 12
U.S. Route 12 in Michigan
US Highway 12 is a US Highway that runs from Aberdeen, Washington to Detroit, Michigan. In the US state of Michigan it runs for . Previous to the creation of Interstate Highways in Michigan, US 12 ran along Michigan Avenue between Kalamazoo and Detroit, a highway corridor now served by I-94...
just southeast of Brooklyn. After crossing US 12, the road passes between several lakes of the Irish Hills area including Washington, Little Stony and Marrs Lakes before continuing on its southeast journey towards Tecumseh
Tecumseh, Michigan
Tecumseh is a small city in Lenawee County of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated where M-50 crosses the River Raisin, a few miles east of M-52. Tecumseh is about SW of Detroit, south of Ann Arbor and north of Toledo, OH....
.
After leaving the Brooklyn area, the road returns to its rural experience as it cuts through agricultural fields. Just before passing through Tipton, the road passes by the entrance to Hidden Lake Gardens
Hidden Lake Gardens
Hidden Lake Gardens colloquially known as Hidden Lake , is a botanical garden and an arboretum operated by Michigan State University situated in the Irish Hills of southeast Michigan. The Gardens are known for their large collection of native and nonnative trees, shrubs and flowers. HLG was given...
, a botanical garden and arboretum operated by Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
. Soon after passing Hidden Lake, the road junctions with M-52
M-52 (Michigan highway)
M-52 is a north–south state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan. The southern terminus is on the Ohio border, where it continues as State Route 109 . The highway passes through communities like Adrian, where it intersects US Highway 223 , Chelsea and Webberville along its course...
and continues into Tecumseh. Known as Chicago Boulevard, the road serves as the main route through the city. After leaving the city, the road quickly passes through the communities of Ridgeway and Britton
Britton, Michigan
Britton is a village in Lenawee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 699 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Ridgeway Township.-History:...
before leaving Lenawee County.
M-52 to US 24
M-50 begins the final leg of its journey, as it crosses into Monroe county, passing through mostly fields. Just prior to reaching its interchange with US 23U.S. Route 23 in Michigan
US Highway 23 is a United States Numbered Highway that runs from Jacksonville, Florida to Mackinaw City, Michigan. In the US state of Michigan, it is a major north–south state trunkline highway that runs through the Lower Peninsula...
, the highway passes just to the south of Cabela's
Cabela's
Cabela's is a direct marketer and specialty retailer of hunting, fishing, camping and related outdoor recreation merchandise, based in Sidney, Nebraska. It also has "Trophy Properties LLC , "Outdoor Adventures" , and the "Gun Library"...
, a 225000 square feet (20,903.2 m²) outdoor sports retailer in Dundee
Dundee, Michigan
Dundee is a village in Monroe County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,522 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Dundee Township. Through a series of annexations and land transfers, the village has greatly increased in size over the past several years...
. As of 2007 it is the 3rd largest of 32 stores of its kind in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. After leaving Dundee, the road continues to the southeast, running to the south of the Raisin River, through rural areas as South Custer Road before entering the outskirts of Monroe
Monroe, Michigan
Monroe is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 20,733 at the 2010 census. It is the largest city and county seat of Monroe County. The city is bordered on the south by Monroe Charter Township, but both are politically independent. The city is located approximately 14 miles ...
where it finally ends its journey at a junction with US 24, known locally as Telegraph Road.
Past US 24, the road continues as Front Street to a junction with I-75
Interstate 75 in Michigan
Interstate 75 is a part of the Interstate Highway System and runs from Miami, Florida to Sault Ste. Marie in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I-75 enters the state from Ohio in the south, just to the north of Toledo. It runs generally north through Detroit, Pontiac and Bay City, crossing the...
at exit 13. This is a former part of M-50 that was eliminated first in 1996 when it was scaled back to end at M-125
M-125 (Michigan highway)
M-125 Connector is a connector route running through Erie. It connects I-75 with M-125. It is a four lane divided highway for its entire length, named "Summit Street" in Erie. It is known internally to the Michigan Department of Transportation as "Connector 2"...
in downtown Monroe and again in 2006 when it was finally scaled back to its present ending with US 24.
History
In the pre-Interstate era, M-50 served as most of the Grand-Rapids-JacksonJackson, Michigan
Jackson is a city located along Interstate 94 in the south central area of the U.S. state of Michigan, about west of Ann Arbor and south of Lansing. It is the county seat of Jackson County. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 33,534...
route for those who sought to avoid greater Lansing
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
. Except for segments in which it coincides with US 127 it is all undivided surface road. When M-50 was first commissioned into the highway system in 1920, it started at a junction with M-23
M-23 (Michigan highway)
M-23 was an early designation for the east–west state trunkline highway in the southern part of the US state of Michigan that became US 112 when the US Highway system came into existence in the mid-1920s. It extended from the Michigan/Indiana state line just north of Elkhart, Indiana, going...
in Cambridge, just south of Brooklyn
Brooklyn, Michigan
Brooklyn is a village in Jackson County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 1,176. It is located just off U.S. Highway 12 Brooklyn (formerly Swainsville) is a village in Jackson County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the village...
which is present day US 12. From there it ran to the southeast, similar to its present day routing, through Dundee
Dundee, Michigan
Dundee is a village in Monroe County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,522 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Dundee Township. Through a series of annexations and land transfers, the village has greatly increased in size over the past several years...
and Tecumseh
Tecumseh, Michigan
Tecumseh is a small city in Lenawee County of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated where M-50 crosses the River Raisin, a few miles east of M-52. Tecumseh is about SW of Detroit, south of Ann Arbor and north of Toledo, OH....
to M-65
M-65 (Michigan highway)
M-65 is a state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan. The highway runs between termini on US Highway 23 near Omer and Rogers City in the northeastern Lower Peninsula of the state. M-65 runs inland through several small communities in the region, passing through forests and fields along...
(later US 23) where it then turned north to Grape then southeast into downtown Monroe
Monroe, Michigan
Monroe is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 20,733 at the 2010 census. It is the largest city and county seat of Monroe County. The city is bordered on the south by Monroe Charter Township, but both are politically independent. The city is located approximately 14 miles ...
. In 1925, the western end of M-50 is extended north through Brooklyn and Napoleon
Napoleon, Michigan
Napoleon is an unincorporated community in Napoleon Township of Jackson County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also a Census-designated place for statistical purposes and without any legal status as an incorporated municipality...
to a new terminus in Jackson
Jackson, Michigan
Jackson is a city located along Interstate 94 in the south central area of the U.S. state of Michigan, about west of Ann Arbor and south of Lansing. It is the county seat of Jackson County. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 33,534...
.
In 1928, M-50 undergoes a major lengthening as its western terminus is extended from Jackson to Eaton Rapids
Eaton Rapids, Michigan
Eaton Rapids is a city in Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 5,214 at the 2010 census.The city is located in the south of Eaton Rapids Township, on the boundary with Hamlin Township, though it is politically independent of both townships...
, Charlotte
Charlotte, Michigan
Charlotte is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 9,074. It is the county seat of Eaton County....
and Vermontville
Vermontville, Michigan
Vermontville is a village in Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 789 at the 2000 census. It is located within Vermontville Township...
before intersecting M-39
M-39 (Michigan highway)
M-39 is a state highway in the US state of Michigan that runs from Lincoln Park to Southfield. The southern terminus of M-39 is at the corner of Southfield Road and Lafayette Boulevard in Lincoln Park, one block southeast of the junction of I-75 and two blocks northwest of M-85...
just east of Woodbury. From this point, M-50 is routed over M-39 to US 16
U.S. Route 16
U.S. Route 16 is an east–west United States Highway between Rapid City, South Dakota and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming....
near Alto
Alto, Michigan
Alto is an unincorporated community in Bowne Township, Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on Platt Lake Creek, at the intersection of Bancroft Avenue and 60th Street, just west of M-50 about two miles south of exit 52 off I-96. Alto was founded in 1845 by Daniel Skidmore. A...
. M-50 then runs concurrently with US 16 into Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
where it turned to the west and traveled through Allendale
Allendale, Michigan
Allendale is an unincorporated community in Ottawa County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also a census-designated place for statistical purposes. The population was 17,579 at the 2010 census...
before heading northwest and terminating in Grand Haven
Grand Haven, Michigan
Grand Haven is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and is the county seat of Ottawa County. Grand Haven is located on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Grand River, for which it is named. As of the 2010 census, Grand Haven had a population of 10,412. It is part of the...
at a junction with US 31
U.S. Route 31 in Michigan
US Highway 31 is a part of the United States Numbered Highway System that runs from Alabama, to the Upper Peninsula of the US state of Michigan. In Michigan, it is a state trunkline highway that runs from the Indiana–Michigan state line at Bertrand Township to its terminus at Interstate 75 south...
. A few years later, the western end of the route is realigned to run out of Grand Rapids to Agnew
Agnew, Michigan
Agnew, Michigan is a tiny unincorporated hamlet located at at the intersection of US 31 and M-45 in Grand Haven Charter Township of Ottawa County in the U.S. state of Michigan....
, terminating at US 31 eight miles (13 km) south of its previous end.
In 1951, when the US 12 bypass is constructed, US 127 and M-50 are routed onto it on the north side of Jackson
Jackson, Michigan
Jackson is a city located along Interstate 94 in the south central area of the U.S. state of Michigan, about west of Ann Arbor and south of Lansing. It is the county seat of Jackson County. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 33,534...
. In 1953, the route is realigned onto the south and west beltline to bypass Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
. The old routing through Grand Rapids becomes Business M-50. The M-50 assignment is also removed from the US 12 bypass of Jackson west of US&hnbsp;127 once it was finished.
In 1959, when the US 127 freeway bypass east of Jackson opens up, and the old routing through town becomes BUS US 127 and BUS M-50. The concurrency with US 23 between Dundee
Dundee, Michigan
Dundee is a village in Monroe County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,522 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Dundee Township. Through a series of annexations and land transfers, the village has greatly increased in size over the past several years...
and the Ohio border is dropped after the new US 23 freeway is opened, the old route becomes designated, solely, M-50. In 1961, when the I-96/US 16/M-50 freeway is extended to the northwest in Grand Rapids, the old M-50 routing through the city becomes M-11
M-11 (Michigan highway)
M-11 is a state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan in the Grand Rapids metropolitan area. The highway runs through the western and southern sides of the metro area, starting over the border in Ottawa County at an interchange with Interstate 96...
.
In 1964, the western end of M-50 gets truncated from its junction with US 31 back to I-96 south of Lowell
Lowell, Michigan
Lowell is a city in Kent County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 4,013. The city is in the northern portion of Lowell Township, but is politically independent...
at exit 52. The decommissioned alignment from exit 40 to Agnew is then given the M-45
M-45 (Michigan highway)
M-45 is a state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan that is also called Lake Michigan Drive. The highway runs from Agnew near Lake Michigan to the west side of Grand Rapids in the western Lower Peninsula. Lake Michigan Drive continues in each direction from M-45's termini, extending west...
designation. In 1966, the eastern end of M-50 is extended to take over the remaining portion of M-56 shifting the terminus to the southeast to end at an interchange with I-75 at exit 15. Thirty years later, this extension would get truncated as the terminus is scaled back to M-125
M-125 (Michigan highway)
M-125 Connector is a connector route running through Erie. It connects I-75 with M-125. It is a four lane divided highway for its entire length, named "Summit Street" in Erie. It is known internally to the Michigan Department of Transportation as "Connector 2"...
in Monroe. Finally in 2006, the section of M-50 between M-125 and US 24
U.S. Route 24
U.S. Route 24 is one of the original United States highways of 1926. It originally ran from Pontiac, Michigan, in the east to Kansas City, Missouri, in the west. Today, the highway's eastern terminus is west of Clarkston, Michigan, at an intersection with I-75 and its western terminus is near...
is also removed, shortening the highway by about a mile.
Major intersections
See also
- Cabela'sCabela'sCabela's is a direct marketer and specialty retailer of hunting, fishing, camping and related outdoor recreation merchandise, based in Sidney, Nebraska. It also has "Trophy Properties LLC , "Outdoor Adventures" , and the "Gun Library"...
- Hidden Lake GardensHidden Lake GardensHidden Lake Gardens colloquially known as Hidden Lake , is a botanical garden and an arboretum operated by Michigan State University situated in the Irish Hills of southeast Michigan. The Gardens are known for their large collection of native and nonnative trees, shrubs and flowers. HLG was given...
- Irish HillsIrish HillsThe Irish Hills is an area of land located roughly in southeastern Jackson County and northwest Lenawee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Its name comes from the Irish immigrants who settled there from 1830-1850...
- Michigan International SpeedwayMichigan International SpeedwayMichigan International Speedway is a two-mile moderate-banked D-shaped superspeedway located off U.S. Highway 12 on more than in Brooklyn, in the scenic Irish Hills area of southeastern Michigan. The track is used primarily for NASCAR events. It is sometimes known as a "sister track" to Texas...