State Route Oddities

[ftballfan]

* There's never been an M-2, but all of the other numbers up to M-126 have been used at some point.

I seem to remember that for a very brief time in the mid-70's, Schoolcraft Road in the Detroit area had been given an M-2 designation on what were the service drives (frontage roads) for the yet-to-be-completed section of the Jeffries Freeway (I-96).  I remember seeing signs for it near the modern-day I-96/US-24 (Telegraph Road) interchange. 

Given that Schoolcraft Road heading west towards Livonia never crossed another state or US highway past Telegraph Road, I am not sure how far the M-2 designation was used, or if the alignment turned on one of the North-South roads (Middlebelt Road??) and ended at Plymouth Road (then M-14).

It definitely was signed, though I can't find anything on it in my internet searches.

Also, 11 Mile Rd in Macomb County was signed as M-6 before I-696 opened.

Some more oddities in Michigan:
* M-12, M-16, M-23, M-31, and M-41 have not been assigned since 1926, but M-24, M-25, M-27, and M-45 have all been used (I think M-24 and M-25 have existed continuously since 1926 or earlier)
* M-69, M-75, M-94, and M-96 were not renumbered when the respective interstates were completed (M-69 and M-94 are both in the opposite peninsula as the interstate with the same number, while M-75 is less than 20 miles from I-75 and M-96 is approximately 50 miles from I-96).
* M-46's western end is at a city street in Muskegon that was BUS US-31 until it was rerouted recently.
* Speaking of M-69, it was shortened in the 1960s only to be re-extended along its previous alignment in the 1990s.
* M-44's western end is at M-11 in Kentwood despite being concurrent with M-37 south of I-96. Even weirder is that M-44 was shortened to I-96 in the 1970s then re-extended back to M-11 recently.
* M-21, for a few years, was moved off of its present alignment between M-13 and Flint and onto what is now I-69. For those few years, current M-21 in that area was M-56.

[bulldog1979]

* There's never been an M-2, but all of the other numbers up to M-126 have been used at some point.

I seem to remember that for a very brief time in the mid-70's, Schoolcraft Road in the Detroit area had been given an M-2 designation on what were the service drives (frontage roads) for the yet-to-be-completed section of the Jeffries Freeway (I-96).  I remember seeing signs for it near the modern-day I-96/US-24 (Telegraph Road) interchange. 

Given that Schoolcraft Road heading west towards Livonia never crossed another state or US highway past Telegraph Road, I am not sure how far the M-2 designation was used, or if the alignment turned on one of the North-South roads (Middlebelt Road??) and ended at Plymouth Road (then M-14).

It definitely was signed, though I can't find anything on it in my internet searches.

Also, 11 Mile Rd in Macomb County was signed as M-6 before I-696 opened.

Some more oddities in Michigan:
* M-12, M-16, M-23, M-31, and M-41 have not been assigned since 1926, but M-24, M-25, M-27, and M-45 have all been used (I think M-24 and M-25 have existed continuously since 1926 or earlier)
* M-69, M-75, M-94, and M-96 were not renumbered when the respective interstates were completed (M-69 and M-94 are both in the opposite peninsula as the interstate with the same number, while M-75 is less than 20 miles from I-75 and M-96 is approximately 50 miles from I-96).
* M-46's western end is at a city street in Muskegon that was BUS US-31 until it was rerouted recently.
* Speaking of M-69, it was shortened in the 1960s only to be re-extended along its previous alignment in the 1990s.
* M-44's western end is at M-11 in Kentwood despite being concurrent with M-37 south of I-96. Even weirder is that M-44 was shortened to I-96 in the 1970s then re-extended back to M-11 recently.
* M-21, for a few years, was moved off of its present alignment between M-13 and Flint and onto what is now I-69. For those few years, current M-21 in that area was M-56.

The pre-1926 versions of M-24 and M-25 were in different locations. M-24 was renumbered M-20 when the M-20 number was moved off what became US 10. M-24 then served as a continuation of US 24. The original M-25 is now the eastern end of M-28 and part of M-94. M-16 became US 16.

The original M-45 is now M-95 and was renumbered in a three-highway number swap to keep M-45 and US 45 from being near each other. The original M-95 was renumbered M-211 to free up M-95 for the original M-45. The current M-45 on Lake Michigan Drive didn't receive its current number until M-50 was truncated to Lowell Township.

[bulldog1979]

It definitely was signed, though I can't find anything on it in my internet searches.

http://www.michiganhighways.org/listings/MichHwys90-99.html#I-096 mentions it.

Map scan/photos or it didn't exist. I have a AAA map of Detroit to prove that M-6 was used on the I-696 service drives, or else that fact could not be included in the Wikipedia article on M-6. I'd love to start an M-2 article if actual source material proving it existed could be located.

[NE2]

Map scan/photos or it didn't exist. I have a AAA map of Detroit to prove that M-6 was used on the I-696 service drives, or else that fact could not be included in the Wikipedia article on M-6.

What's it doing there? Two different things with the same name don't belong in the same article. Put it in the I-696 article with a disambiguation link up top.

I'd love to start an M-2 article if actual source material proving it existed could be located.

Hopefully it would be merged with the I-96 article.

[mapman1071]

AZ64 Has A Segment marked N-S and E-W separated by Grand Canyon NP (AZ64 is signed thru the park)

AZ99 south end ends at a National forest boundary (Road continues as nf road to NF300 The Rim Road)

AZ 210 (Tucson) Does not meet any I, US or AZ Highway (Planed to Connect To I-10 Between Speedway Blvd and St Marys Rd, and at I-10 Near Alvernon Way)(Possible I-210)

[Hot Rod Hootenanny]

Are any of the state highways in Kentucky or Virginia dirt? I was just wondering because both states (especially Kentucky) have a boatload of state highways.

Louisiana has (as of 2009) gravel state highways.

[bassoon1986]

Louisiana has (as of 2009) gravel state highways.
[/quote]

Absolutely it does! Especially around Kisatchie State Forest. But the LA 478 exit on Interstate 49 just south of Natchitoches is as soon as you get back to 2 lanes beyond the interstate. And I know I've heard LA 10 is gravel east of the Atchafalaya ferry from Melville. It's the old alignment of US 71 to Baton Rouge

[ftballfan]

Louisiana has (as of 2009) gravel state highways.

Absolutely it does! Especially around Kisatchie State Forest. But the LA 478 exit on Interstate 49 just south of Natchitoches is as soon as you get back to 2 lanes beyond the interstate. And I know I've heard LA 10 is gravel east of the Atchafalaya ferry from Melville. It's the old alignment of US 71 to Baton Rouge
[/quote]
From Street View, it also looks like LA 478 was paved at one time and is now gravel.

[Hot Rod Hootenanny]

Are any of the state highways in Kentucky or Virginia dirt? I was just wondering because both states (especially Kentucky) have a boatload of state highways.

Louisiana has (as of 2009) gravel state highways.

I had taken a photo of La 69, near Bayou Goula (along the Mississippi between Plaquemine and White Castle). That was "my" Louisiana gravel road discovery.  Now I can't find said photograph.

[Quillz]

Just out of curiosity, I was coming back from my vacation in Oregon and noticed that OR-99 is a de facto business route, similar to US-30. But, does it have a number of hidden concurrencies with I-5, similar to CA-1 does with US-101, or is it considered a route that exists in many non-connected pieces?

[golden eagle]

There are four (if not more) MS-149s. Yet, none of them are duplexed with US 49 in signage.

[xonhulu]

Just out of curiosity, I was coming back from my vacation in Oregon and noticed that OR-99 is a de facto business route, similar to US-30. But, does it have a number of hidden concurrencies with I-5, similar to CA-1 does with US-101, or is it considered a route that exists in many non-connected pieces?

I think it's defined as concurrent with I-5 in those sections, but the fact it's unsigned makes one wonder.

[route56]

There are also two K-171's but they were never connected. The southeastern K-171 was changed when K-57 was truncated with the new number matching the Missouri segment, 171 (which at one time was itself MO 57). There wasn't really a reason the change the K-171 in Smith County. It's just a short spur serving a small town.

Actually, It's Rice County. Also, it has been turned back. Bushton agreed to take over the road in exchange for getting ARRA money to repave Main Street.

[US71]

I am guessing some of the mountain states have some dirt state roads.

Arkansas has one: AR 220 from near Lee Creek, AR to Devil's Den State Park.

There was a section of 215 west of Ozone that was partially dirt, but it has been widened and paved over the last 2 years thanks to ARRA.

[apeman33]

There are also two K-171's but they were never connected. The southeastern K-171 was changed when K-57 was truncated with the new number matching the Missouri segment, 171 (which at one time was itself MO 57). There wasn't really a reason the change the K-171 in Smith County. It's just a short spur serving a small town.

Actually, It's Rice County. Also, it has been turned back. Bushton agreed to take over the road in exchange for getting ARRA money to repave Main Street.

So we're back down to one K-171 now. Good. The way it should be. (Well, except for the two K-8s)

[SidS1045]

NJ 440 exists in two segments on either end of Staten Island, yet are signed in opposing cardinal direction pairs.

I assume you mean NY 440?

[TheStranger]

NJ 440 exists in two segments on either end of Staten Island, yet are signed in opposing cardinal direction pairs.

I assume you mean NY 440?

No, NJ 440 - the segments being referred to are the Bayonne and Perth Amboy portions, with that NY 440 Staten Island route in the middle.

[ClarkE]

In KY, so there are too many to list, due to the sheer amount of state routes, but I will mention one. KY 1679, aka the Little Shepherd Trail, is a narrow one lane, partially paved road running 38 miles along the top of Pine Mountain.

"This rugged route is not for the faint of heart. Paved sections are easily traversed, but gravel sections, which compose about half of the Trail, can rattle your bones lose, if your heart doesn't jump out first! Mountain bikes and hikers greatly enjoy the more remote sections of this route. If you drive, a 4x4 vehicle is recommended. " - http://www.kingdomcome.org/kcsp/trails.html

[vtk]

OH 833 is a portion of what used to be US 33.  Like US 33 in Ohio, it's signed as east-west.  What's strange is the direction is reversed.  That is, what used to be US 33 eastbound is now OH 833 westbound.  Or, at least, that's how it loooks if you believe the signage on US 33 EB approaching Pomeroy.  (I can't easily check the SLD at the moment...)

[roadman65]

NY 42 is in two segments.


How about the new  NJ US 1 & 9 shields with the "1 -9" or  "1 & 9" inside one outline?

[nyratk1]

NY 42 is in two segments.

So is NY 24.

[froggie]

There are four (if not more) MS-149s. Yet, none of them are duplexed with US 49 in signage.

Eight. Plus eight MS 184s, nine MS 145s (two of them quite lengthy), and five MS 182s.

The number of Mississippi routes with multiple segments is almost too many to count.  Offhand, I know of MS 404, MS 491, MS 552, MS 607, and MS 609.  Mississippi also has *A LOT* of dangling ends, and at least one route (MS 548) that doesn't connect to any other state routes.


On that note, there's still one Minnesota route that doesn't connect to any other routes due to turnbacks:  MS 297 in Fergus Falls.

As noted before, MN 74 is the only Minnesota route that still has a gravel section.  MN 65 has been paved (I've been on it) and MN 249 near Caledonia was turned back 20 years ago.


A few Vermont oddities:

- There's a town-maintained Vermont route that has a Super-2 section (VT 127 on the north side of Burlington).

- Another town-maintained Vermont route goes across a pontoon bridge (VT 65, now closed to traffic).

- VT 26 is all of about 69ft long.

[codyg1985]

Here are some in Alabama:

- AL 62 is a short, four-lane DIVIDED road that stubs off of AL 227 north of Lake Guntersville State Park. It serves a former Monsanto plant on the Tennessee River. None of the other roads in the area are four lanes (even though AL 227 east of AL 62's eastern terminus is an improved two-lane).
- Alabama insists on maintaining the rule that odd state highways are signed north-south, and even state routes are signed east-west. This is all well and good except for the fact that there are several state routes that don't travel in the direction they are "supposed" to. Here are a few examples:

• AL 227 is signed-north-south, but runs east-west from north of Lake Guntersville State Park to NW of Geraldine. It also runs in the wrong direction from AL 62 south to Guntersville (south is signed north)
• AL 35 is signed north-south but at Scottsboro it turns and runs east-west along the old routing of US 72
• AL 133 in Florence is signed north-south, but north of Florence it runs east-west along Cox Creek Pkwy from US 43/72 to AL 20.
• AL 149 in the Birmingham area is signed north-south but on either end of it it runs east-west (8th Ave S through the campus of UAB and Lakeshore Drive in Homewood)

- Like Tennessee and Florida, Alabama has "secret" state routes. Every US route has a secret state route. Mileposts follow the state route mileage instead of the US route. However, sometimes they are signed in the field (AL 74 along US 278, AL 4 along US 78 west of Jasper, AL). There are also instances where the secret state routes exist independently of their US routes, and are signed in the field until you arrive at the US route:

• AL 53 is the secret state route for US 231 between Huntsville and Dothan. However, at Huntsville AL 53 separates from US 231 and heads NW to Ardmore, AL to end at I-65. At Dothan, it separates from US 231 and heads SE to Cottonwood, AL. US 231 uses AL 1 for its secret route on either end of its routing in Alabama. US 431 uses AL 1 for its entire length, but US 431 ends in Dothan). It almost appears as if AL 53 is a split route without knowing that it follows US 231.
• AL 74 is US 278's secret state route, but it starts to be signed in the field in Winston County, AL. At Hamilton, US 278 heads south along US 43 and AL 74 heads west along old US 78 to end at current US 78/future I-22. AL 118 is US 278's secret route west of Guin, AL, but it is signed in the field for its entire length. ALDOT's Division Two happens to be where most of the secret routes are signed.
• AL 13 is US 43's secret route, but between Berry, AL and Spruce Pine, AL, AL 13 separates from US 43. AL 13 is signed in the field from Fayette County north, and is signed along US 43 in Fayette, Franklin, Colbert, and Lauderdale Counties.
• AL 25 is US 411's secret route, but the route goes much farther south than US 411's southern terminus of Moody, AL.
• AL 9 is US 331's secret route, but AL 9 goes much father north than US 331's northern terminus of Montgomery, AL.

[US71]

NY 42 is in two segments.


How about the new  NJ US 1 & 9 shields with the "1 -9" or  "1 & 9" inside one outline?

Do they look like this:

[vdeane]

I didn't know we had fractional US routes!