M-52 (Michigan highway)
Encyclopedia
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 (SR 109). The highway passes through communities like Adrian
, where it intersects US Highway 223
(US 223), Chelsea
and Webberville
along its 127.3 miles (204.869 km) course. It crosses some major rivers, including the River Raisin
and the Shiawassee
. The section of the highway between M-50
and Manchester
was built as a limited-access highway. M-52's northern terminus is at M-46
, 9 miles (14.5 km) west of Saginaw
.
Adrian previously converted their downtown streets to one-way traffic
between 1950 and 1973. The traffic pattern created an unusual arrangement in the routings of the two state highways downtown. Southbound M-52 followed Winter Street, which also carried both eastbound and westbound directions of the US 223 business loop. These streets carried both highways around the downtown business district in this arrangement until November 2009.
M-52 is an original state trunkline highway, dating to the 1919 formation of the system. Other segments of the modern routing were designated M-92
and M-47
at the time. Extensions to M-52 supplanted M-92 completely and M-47 partially along their routings. These extensions completed the modern M-52 routing in the late 1960s.
, Lenawee County
, where it is the continuation of SR 109 into Michigan. The highway runs north to Adrian
where it intersects US Highway 223
(US 223) at the city border with Madison Township. As the highway crosses the city line, it is concurrently
designated Business US 223 (BUS US 223) along Main Street into downtown Adrian. BUS US 223/M-52 intersects Beecher Street, which carries M-34
to the latter's eastern terminus in Adrian. After Beecher, Main Street turns north-northeast into the downtown area.
In downtown Adrian, M-52 runs north along Main Street to Church Street. Since November 2009, the one-way streets
were converted back to two-way functionality. Both directions of M-52 now turn east along Church, then north along Broad Street. At Front Street, traffic is diverted west back to Main Street. Continuing north out of downtown Adrian, M-52 follows Main Street over the South Branch of the River Raisin
and out of the city limits, where it once again becomes Adrian Highway. The highway curves from running north-northeast back to due north. West of the city of Tecumseh
, the trunkline intersects M-50
. M-52 continues north as a limited-access highway. Access to and from the highway is limited to select cross roads only. Just south of the county line, the highway intersects with US 12
before crossing into Washtenaw County
.
The limited-access section of M-52 continues north through western Washtenaw County, where it ends in Manchester
. M-52 turns west along Austin and City roads into the village. The trunkline continues along the banks of the north branch of the River Raisin on Riverside Drive before turning north out of town. Just south of Chelsea
, M-52 crosses Interstate 94
(I-94). The highway continues through downtown Chelsea and turns northwesterly through the Waterloo State Recreation Area
in the northwesternmost part of the county. The highway clips the corner of Jackson County
, running for almost 2.5 miles (4 km) through Waterloo Township
before crossing into Ingham County
south of Stockbridge
.
M-52 joins M-106
south of Stockbridge, and the two highways run together into the village. In downtown, M-106 turns east and M-52 turns west before heading north out of town. At the Stockbridge
– White Oak
township line, M-52 joins M-36
which follows the townships' common border. The two highways run concurrently north into White Oak Township before M-36 turns west, ending the concurrency. In western Webberville
, M-52 passes under I-96
and merges with M-43
at the latter's eastern terminus. The two highways run north to, and turn west along, Grand River Avenue
. At Perry Road, M-52 turns back north out of the village. The trunkline continues north into Shiawassee County
and runs through Perry
before crossing I-69
. Continuing north, M-52 curves northeasterly into downtown Owosso
intersecting M-21
west of M-71
's western terminus. M-52 continues northward parallel to the Shiawassee River
into Saginaw County
.
The trunkline runs through the community of Oakley
before intersecting M-57
west of Chesaning
. North of Chesaning, M-52 angles to the northeast into and through St. Charles
, crossing the Shiawassee River west of the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge
. The northern terminus of M-52 is an intersection with M-46
west of Saginaw
in Thomas Township
.
where it terminated. The remainder of the modern highway routing is either not part of the state trunkline system, or it is parts of other highways at this time, M-92
or M-47
. In 1954, M-92 was extended southward to end in Clinton at the same intersection with US 112
where M-52 terminated. By July 1, 1960, M-92's southern end was shifted westward, terminating west of Clinton at US 112 on a new roadway south of Manchester. M-52 was extended around 1962 north between M-50 and US 12 (the former US 112) west of Tecumseh and Clinton. This extension ended at M-92's terminus with US 12. M-52 was then extended north supplanting the M-92 designation in its entirety. M-52 at this time runs north from the Ohio state line to Millville in southwestern Ingham County
. In the late 1960s, Stockbridge Road between Webberville and Stockbridge was upgraded to state highway standards and uploaded from the county to the state. This construction was shown on the 1969 state map. When it was completed later that year, M-52 was extended northward a second time, to I-96 outside of Webberville. Where Stockbridge Road crossed I-96, M-52 was continued north, supplanting M-47 through Webberville and north to the junction with M-46 west of Saginaw
. This designation change shortened M-47 to its current southern terminus in Saginaw Township.
In downtown Adrian, the highways previously split into an uncommon arrangement of one-way
streets. This arrangement was similar to a traffic circle
in how the traffic was routed through the central business district on Church, Broad, Front and Winter streets. The first one-way pair
ing started on Main Street at the intersection with Winter Street. Northbound traffic continued on Main Street, while southbound traffic was routed along Winter Street. At Church Street, westbound BUS US 223/northbound M-52 turned east for a block on Church and then north onto Broad Street. Then the highway designations continued on Broad Street three blocks north to Front Street, passing to the east of the downtown businesses. The designations were then routed west along Front Street. At Main Street, M-52 turned back north again as a two-way street. In the opposite direction, southbound M-52 traffic was diverted from Main west on Front Street. Front Street west of Main Street carried southbound M-52 and westbound BUS US 223 traffic one block west to Winter Street, which then turned down Winter. Westbound BUS US 223 traffic turned west along Maumee Street while eastbound BUS US 223 followed southbound M-52 down Winter to Main Street. This arrangement was ended in November 2009 when the City of Adrian converted all of the one-way streets to two-way traffic. Downtown streets had been converted to one-way traffic between 1950 and 1973.
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"....
. The southern terminus is on the Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
border, where it continues as State Route 109 (SR 109). The highway passes through communities like Adrian
Adrian, Michigan
As of the 2010 census Adrian had a population of 21,133. The racial and ethnic makeup of the population was 84.1% white, 4.4% black or African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 5.9% from some other race and 4.0% from two or more races...
, where it intersects US Highway 223
U.S. Route 223
US Route 223 or US Highway 223 is a diagonal US Highway lying in the US states of Michigan and Ohio. The southern most section is completely concurrent with the US 23 freeway, including all of the Ohio segment. It connects US 23 in the south near Toledo, Ohio with US 127 and...
(US 223), Chelsea
Chelsea, Michigan
Chelsea is a city in Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,398 at the 2000 census, at which time it was a village....
and Webberville
Webberville, Michigan
Webberville is a village in Leroy Township, Ingham County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,272 at the 2010 census.The village is just northeast of the junction of M-43 and M-52 with I-96...
along its 127.3 miles (204.869 km) course. It crosses some major rivers, including the River Raisin
River Raisin
The River Raisin is a river in southeastern Michigan, United States that flows through glacial sediments into Lake Erie. The area today is an agricultural and industrial center of Michigan. The river flows for almost , draining an area of in the Michigan counties of Lenawee, Monroe, Washtenaw,...
and the Shiawassee
Shiawassee River
The Shiawassee River in the U.S. state of Michigan is long and generally flows in a northerly direction. It merges together with the Flint River, the Cass River and the Tittabawassee River to form the Saginaw River, which drains into the Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron.-Description:Supporting...
. The section of the highway between M-50
M-50 (Michigan highway)
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...
and Manchester
Manchester, Michigan
Manchester is a village in Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,160 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Manchester Township.-Chicago Road:...
was built as a limited-access highway. M-52's northern terminus is at M-46
M-46 (Michigan highway)
M-46 is an east–west state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan between Muskegon and Port Sanilac, terminating near Lake Michigan and Lake Huron on each end. Except for the north–south segment that corresponds with the US Highway 131 freeway between Cedar Springs and Howard City, M-46 is...
, 9 miles (14.5 km) west of Saginaw
Saginaw, Michigan
Saginaw is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Saginaw County. The city of Saginaw was once a thriving lumber town and manufacturing center. Saginaw and Saginaw County lie in the Flint/Tri-Cities region of Michigan...
.
Adrian previously converted their downtown streets to one-way traffic
One-way traffic
One-way traffic is traffic that moves in a single direction. A one-way street is a street either facilitating only one-way traffic, or designed to direct vehicles to move in one direction.-General signs:...
between 1950 and 1973. The traffic pattern created an unusual arrangement in the routings of the two state highways downtown. Southbound M-52 followed Winter Street, which also carried both eastbound and westbound directions of the US 223 business loop. These streets carried both highways around the downtown business district in this arrangement until November 2009.
M-52 is an original state trunkline highway, dating to the 1919 formation of the system. Other segments of the modern routing were designated M-92
M-92 (Michigan highway)
M-92 was the designation of a former state trunkline in the southern part of the US state of Michigan.-Route description:M-92 started at a junction with US 112 west of Clinton. From there it ran northward through Manchester. South of Chelsea, it intersected I-94/US 12 before passing through Chelsea...
and M-47
M-47 (Michigan highway)
M-47 is a north–south state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan. It runs near Saginaw and Midland in the Tri-Cities area of the Lower Peninsula. The highway runs through suburban and agricultural areas to connect the two cities with the airport in the area. The northernmost section of...
at the time. Extensions to M-52 supplanted M-92 completely and M-47 partially along their routings. These extensions completed the modern M-52 routing in the late 1960s.
Route description
M-52 starts at the Ohio state line as Adrian Highway in Fairfield TownshipFairfield Township, Lenawee County, Michigan
Fairfield Township is a civil township of Lenawee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 1,756.- Communities :...
, 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...
, where it is the continuation of SR 109 into Michigan. The highway runs north to Adrian
Adrian, Michigan
As of the 2010 census Adrian had a population of 21,133. The racial and ethnic makeup of the population was 84.1% white, 4.4% black or African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 5.9% from some other race and 4.0% from two or more races...
where it intersects US Highway 223
U.S. Route 223
US Route 223 or US Highway 223 is a diagonal US Highway lying in the US states of Michigan and Ohio. The southern most section is completely concurrent with the US 23 freeway, including all of the Ohio segment. It connects US 23 in the south near Toledo, Ohio with US 127 and...
(US 223) at the city border with Madison Township. As the highway crosses the city line, it is concurrently
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
designated Business US 223 (BUS US 223) along Main Street into downtown Adrian. BUS US 223/M-52 intersects Beecher Street, which carries M-34
M-34 (Michigan highway)
M-34 is an east–west state trunkline highway in the southeastern region of the US state of Michigan. It has a western terminus near Osseo on M-99 and runs through forest and farm lands to its eastern terminus at Business US Highway 223 and M-52 in Adrian...
to the latter's eastern terminus in Adrian. After Beecher, Main Street turns north-northeast into the downtown area.
In downtown Adrian, M-52 runs north along Main Street to Church Street. Since November 2009, the one-way streets
One-way traffic
One-way traffic is traffic that moves in a single direction. A one-way street is a street either facilitating only one-way traffic, or designed to direct vehicles to move in one direction.-General signs:...
were converted back to two-way functionality. Both directions of M-52 now turn east along Church, then north along Broad Street. At Front Street, traffic is diverted west back to Main Street. Continuing north out of downtown Adrian, M-52 follows Main Street over the South Branch of the River Raisin
River Raisin
The River Raisin is a river in southeastern Michigan, United States that flows through glacial sediments into Lake Erie. The area today is an agricultural and industrial center of Michigan. The river flows for almost , draining an area of in the Michigan counties of Lenawee, Monroe, Washtenaw,...
and out of the city limits, where it once again becomes Adrian Highway. The highway curves from running north-northeast back to due north. West of the city of 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....
, the trunkline intersects M-50
M-50 (Michigan highway)
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...
. M-52 continues north as a limited-access highway. Access to and from the highway is limited to select cross roads only. Just south of the county line, the highway intersects 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...
before crossing into Washtenaw County
Washtenaw County, Michigan
Washtenaw County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 344,791. Its county seat is Ann Arbor. The United States Office of Management and Budget defines the county as part of the Detroit–Warren–Flint Combined Statistical Area...
.
The limited-access section of M-52 continues north through western Washtenaw County, where it ends in Manchester
Manchester, Michigan
Manchester is a village in Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,160 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Manchester Township.-Chicago Road:...
. M-52 turns west along Austin and City roads into the village. The trunkline continues along the banks of the north branch of the River Raisin on Riverside Drive before turning north out of town. Just south of Chelsea
Chelsea, Michigan
Chelsea is a city in Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,398 at the 2000 census, at which time it was a village....
, M-52 crosses Interstate 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...
(I-94). The highway continues through downtown Chelsea and turns northwesterly through the Waterloo State Recreation Area
Waterloo State Recreation Area
Waterloo State Recreation Area is the third-largest park in Michigan, encompassing over of forest, lakes and wetlands. Located in northeast Jackson County and parts of Washtenaw County, the park is the largest in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan and features 4 campgrounds, 11 lakes, a nature...
in the northwesternmost part of the county. The highway clips the corner of 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...
, running for almost 2.5 miles (4 km) through Waterloo Township
Waterloo Township, Michigan
Waterloo Township is a civil township of Jackson County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,069 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
before crossing into Ingham County
Ingham County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 279,320 people, 108,593 households, and 63,744 families residing in the county. The population density was 500 people per square mile . There were 115,056 housing units at an average density of 206 per square mile...
south of Stockbridge
Stockbridge, Michigan
Stockbridge is a village in Stockbridge Township, Ingham County in the U.S. state of Michigan, and lies from downtown Lansing, Michigan. The population was 1,218 at the 2010 census.-History:...
.
M-52 joins M-106
M-106 (Michigan highway)
M-106 is the designation given to a state trunkline highway in the Lower Peninsula of the US state of Michigan near the city of Jackson. M-106 travels in a southwest to northeast direction from Jackson to Gregory at a junction with M-36 just a few miles northwest of Hell. In Jackson, M-106...
south of Stockbridge, and the two highways run together into the village. In downtown, M-106 turns east and M-52 turns west before heading north out of town. At the Stockbridge
Stockbridge Township, Michigan
Stockbridge Township is a civil township of Ingham County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,896 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
– White Oak
White Oak Township, Michigan
White Oak Township is a civil township of Ingham County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,177 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
township line, M-52 joins M-36
M-36 (Michigan highway)
M-36 is a state trunkline route in the Lower Peninsula of the US state of Michigan that runs in a west–east direction from Mason to Whitmore Lake. The route connects US 127 south of Lansing and US 23 north of Ann Arbor-Route description:...
which follows the townships' common border. The two highways run concurrently north into White Oak Township before M-36 turns west, ending the concurrency. In western Webberville
Webberville, Michigan
Webberville is a village in Leroy Township, Ingham County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,272 at the 2010 census.The village is just northeast of the junction of M-43 and M-52 with I-96...
, M-52 passes under I-96
Interstate 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...
and merges with 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...
at the latter's eastern terminus. The two highways run north to, and turn west along, Grand River Avenue
Grand River Avenue
US Highway 16 , also called Grand River Avenue for much of its length, is one of the principal pre-Interstate roads in the state of Michigan. Before the creation of the United States Numbered Highway System in 1926, the highway had been designated M-16...
. At Perry Road, M-52 turns back north out of the village. The trunkline continues north into Shiawassee County
Shiawassee County, Michigan
-Transportation:-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 71,687 people, 26,896 households, and 19,849 families residing in the county. The population density was 133 people per square mile . There were 29,087 housing units at an average density of 54 per square mile...
and runs through Perry
Perry, Michigan
Perry is a city in Shiawassee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,065 at the 2000 census. The city is located within Perry Township and has both Perry High School and Middle School...
before crossing 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...
. Continuing north, M-52 curves northeasterly into downtown Owosso
Owosso, Michigan
Owosso is a city in Shiawassee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 15,713 at the 2000 census. The city is located on the eastern side of Owosso Township, but is politically independent...
intersecting M-21
M-21 (Michigan highway)
M-21 is an east–west state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan connecting the cities of Grand Rapids and Flint. The highway passes through rural farming country and several small towns along its course through the Lower Peninsula...
west of M-71
M-71 (Michigan highway)
M-71 is a state trunkline highway in the Lower Peninsula of the US state of Michigan. It serves as a connector between M-21 in Owosso to Interstate 69 southwest of Flint...
's western terminus. M-52 continues northward parallel to the Shiawassee River
Shiawassee River
The Shiawassee River in the U.S. state of Michigan is long and generally flows in a northerly direction. It merges together with the Flint River, the Cass River and the Tittabawassee River to form the Saginaw River, which drains into the Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron.-Description:Supporting...
into Saginaw County
Saginaw County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 210,039 people, 80,430 households, and 55,818 families residing in the county. The population density was 260 people per square mile . There were 85,505 housing units at an average density of 106 per square mile...
.
The trunkline runs through the community of Oakley
Oakley, Michigan
Oakley is a village in Saginaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 338. The village is within Brady Township, although about half of the village would lie within Chesaning Township on the east, if the boundary line had not been adjusted.History:...
before intersecting M-57
M-57 (Michigan highway)
M-57 is an east–west state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan. The highway connects US Highway 131 near Rockford on the west end to M-15 near Otisville in the Lower Peninsula. In between, the mostly rural highway passes through farmland and connects several highways and smaller towns...
west of Chesaning
Chesaning, Michigan
Chesaning is a village in Saginaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,548 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Chesaning Township.-History:...
. North of Chesaning, M-52 angles to the northeast into and through St. Charles
St. Charles, Michigan
St. Charles is a village in Saginaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The village is located in the northwest corner of St. Charles Township with portions of the village located within Brant Township and Swan Creek Township...
, crossing the Shiawassee River west of the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge
Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge
The Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge is a 9,427 acre National Wildlife Refuge in Saginaw County managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. It is located in the central portion of the lower peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan, approximately 25 miles south of the Saginaw Bay in...
. The northern terminus of M-52 is an intersection with M-46
M-46 (Michigan highway)
M-46 is an east–west state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan between Muskegon and Port Sanilac, terminating near Lake Michigan and Lake Huron on each end. Except for the north–south segment that corresponds with the US Highway 131 freeway between Cedar Springs and Howard City, M-46 is...
west of Saginaw
Saginaw, Michigan
Saginaw is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Saginaw County. The city of Saginaw was once a thriving lumber town and manufacturing center. Saginaw and Saginaw County lie in the Flint/Tri-Cities region of Michigan...
in Thomas Township
Thomas Township, Michigan
Thomas Township is a civil township of Saginaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 11,877 at the 2000 census. The 2009 census estimate places the population at 12,184.-Communities:...
.
History
M-52 was first designated by July 1, 1919. The original routing started at the Ohio state line and ran north through Adrian to M-50 much as it does today. It turned east along M-50 into Tecumseh and then turned north to ClintonClinton, Lenawee County, Michigan
Clinton is a village in Lenawee County in the Irish Hills area of the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,336 at the 2010 census. The village is located within Clinton Township....
where it terminated. The remainder of the modern highway routing is either not part of the state trunkline system, or it is parts of other highways at this time, M-92
M-92 (Michigan highway)
M-92 was the designation of a former state trunkline in the southern part of the US state of Michigan.-Route description:M-92 started at a junction with US 112 west of Clinton. From there it ran northward through Manchester. South of Chelsea, it intersected I-94/US 12 before passing through Chelsea...
or M-47
M-47 (Michigan highway)
M-47 is a north–south state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan. It runs near Saginaw and Midland in the Tri-Cities area of the Lower Peninsula. The highway runs through suburban and agricultural areas to connect the two cities with the airport in the area. The northernmost section of...
. In 1954, M-92 was extended southward to end in Clinton at the same intersection with US 112
U.S. Route 112
U.S. Route 112 was a largely east–west state trunkline highway across the southern portion of the US state of Michigan between New Buffalo and Detroit...
where M-52 terminated. By July 1, 1960, M-92's southern end was shifted westward, terminating west of Clinton at US 112 on a new roadway south of Manchester. M-52 was extended around 1962 north between M-50 and US 12 (the former US 112) west of Tecumseh and Clinton. This extension ended at M-92's terminus with US 12. M-52 was then extended north supplanting the M-92 designation in its entirety. M-52 at this time runs north from the Ohio state line to Millville in southwestern Ingham County
Ingham County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 279,320 people, 108,593 households, and 63,744 families residing in the county. The population density was 500 people per square mile . There were 115,056 housing units at an average density of 206 per square mile...
. In the late 1960s, Stockbridge Road between Webberville and Stockbridge was upgraded to state highway standards and uploaded from the county to the state. This construction was shown on the 1969 state map. When it was completed later that year, M-52 was extended northward a second time, to I-96 outside of Webberville. Where Stockbridge Road crossed I-96, M-52 was continued north, supplanting M-47 through Webberville and north to the junction with M-46 west of Saginaw
Saginaw, Michigan
Saginaw is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Saginaw County. The city of Saginaw was once a thriving lumber town and manufacturing center. Saginaw and Saginaw County lie in the Flint/Tri-Cities region of Michigan...
. This designation change shortened M-47 to its current southern terminus in Saginaw Township.
In downtown Adrian, the highways previously split into an uncommon arrangement of one-way
One-way traffic
One-way traffic is traffic that moves in a single direction. A one-way street is a street either facilitating only one-way traffic, or designed to direct vehicles to move in one direction.-General signs:...
streets. This arrangement was similar to a traffic circle
Traffic circle
A traffic circle or rotary is a type of circular intersection in which traffic must travel in one direction around a central island. In some countries, traffic entering the circle has the right-of-way and drivers in the circle must yield. In many other countries, traffic entering the circle must...
in how the traffic was routed through the central business district on Church, Broad, Front and Winter streets. The first one-way pair
One-way pair
A one-way pair, one-way couple, or just couplet is a pair of parallel, usually one-way streets that carry opposite directions of a signed route or major traffic flow, or sometimes opposite directions of a bus or streetcar route....
ing started on Main Street at the intersection with Winter Street. Northbound traffic continued on Main Street, while southbound traffic was routed along Winter Street. At Church Street, westbound BUS US 223/northbound M-52 turned east for a block on Church and then north onto Broad Street. Then the highway designations continued on Broad Street three blocks north to Front Street, passing to the east of the downtown businesses. The designations were then routed west along Front Street. At Main Street, M-52 turned back north again as a two-way street. In the opposite direction, southbound M-52 traffic was diverted from Main west on Front Street. Front Street west of Main Street carried southbound M-52 and westbound BUS US 223 traffic one block west to Winter Street, which then turned down Winter. Westbound BUS US 223 traffic turned west along Maumee Street while eastbound BUS US 223 followed southbound M-52 down Winter to Main Street. This arrangement was ended in November 2009 when the City of Adrian converted all of the one-way streets to two-way traffic. Downtown streets had been converted to one-way traffic between 1950 and 1973.