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M-120 (Michigan highway)
Encyclopedia
M-120 is a state trunkline highway
in the US state of Michigan
in the southwest Lower Peninsula
. The highway runs northeast from Muskegon
to Hesperia
. In between, the road passes through suburban Muskegon, forests and farmland. Some 5,900–26,000 vehicles use the highway each day on average as it runs long a series of roads that follow county lines in the area.
The current highway to bear the M-120 designation is the third in the state. The first was a spur route in the Lansing
area in the 1930s. The second was a route that connected to like-numbered state highways in both Ohio
and Indiana
. The current M-120 was originally part of M-20
until that highway was rerouted between New Era
and US Highway 31
(US 31).
and the Muskegon River
meet in Muskegon. As it crosses the river, it is known as the Veterans Memorial Causeway, with a section of Veterans Memorial Park between the northbound and southbound sections of the road. This road continues north as Whitehall Road, which connects Muskegon to Whitehall
. At Whitehall Road, M-120 turns east on Holton Road and continues in a northeastern direction through the suburb of North Muskegon
. The south side of the roadway abuts residential areas and Reeths-Puffer High School; the north side is largely undeveloped. M-120 meets the US 31
freeway in Muskegon Township
. Holton Road continues northeasterly past Oak Hill Cemetery and turns northerly at Bard Road. The highway curves to the northeast again through Twin Lakes to avoid several lakes in the area. The landscape along the road between Twin Lakes and Holton, like much of the overall route of the highway, is woodland. Northeast of Holton, those forests transition to farm land as M-120 turns to the north. The highway meets B-31 as it turns north to run along the Muskegon
–Newaygo
county line.
As M-120 continues north along the county line, it runs in Holton Township
in Muskegon County to the west and Sheridan Township in Newaygo County to the east along Maple Island Road. West of Fremont
, the highway meets an intersection with M-82
and B-86. B-86 runs along the Muskegon–Oceana
county line, and M-82 runs along a township line in Newaygo County. North of this intersection, M-120 follows the Oceana–Newaygo county line that divides Greenwood Township
from Dayton Township
. Maple Island Road enters the south side of Hesperia on Division Street. M-120 terminates at an intersection with M-20 in the middle of the village, 27.901 miles (44.9 km) from its starting point.
The Michigan Department of Transportation
(MDOT) maintains M-120 like all other components of the Michigan state trunkline highway system. As part of these responsibilities, the department tracks traffic volumes along the highway. MDOT uses a metric called average annual daily traffic, which is a calculation of the traffic along a roadway segment for any average day of the year. In 2009, the highest traffic levels were near the southern terminus at 26,736 vehicles each day. The lowest levels MDOT calculated were in Holton at 5,936 vehicles daily. The section between the south end and US 31, M-120 has been listed on the National Highway System
, a network of roads important to the nation's economy, defense, and mobility. The remainder of the highway has not been listed.
was numbered M-120. In early 1939, the M-174 designation replaced the M-120 moniker on the road. Later that year, the Michigan State Highway Department (MSHD) used the number for a road along the Michigan-Ohio state line. This highway connected to State Route 120 on its east end at the state line and ran west to US 127
at Meridian Road along the Hillsdale
–Lenawee
county line. By the end of 1940, M-120 was extended through Hillsdale County to connect to State Road 120 along the short north–south Michigan–Indiana border. By the middle of 1961, the M-120 designation was retired by the MSHD again. The Ohio and Indiana SR 120 highways are still in place today with only the county road in Michigan connecting them.
in 1969. In the aftermath of the reroute, the M-20 designation was moved from Muskegon to New Era
. The former routing of M-20 south of Hesperia to Muskegon was renumbered M-120, including a segment that ran concurrently
with M-82. That concurrency was removed in 1978.
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"....
in the southwest Lower Peninsula
Lower Peninsula of Michigan
The Lower Peninsula of Michigan is the southern of the two major landmasses of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is surrounded by water on all sides except its southern border, which it shares with Ohio and Indiana. Geographically, the Lower Peninsula has a recognizable shape that many people...
. The highway runs northeast from Muskegon
Muskegon, Michigan
Muskegon is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 38,401. The city is the county seat of Muskegon County...
to Hesperia
Hesperia, Michigan
Hesperia is a village in Newaygo and Oceana counties in the U.S. state of Michigan. About half of the village lies in Newfield Township in Oceana County and half in Denver Township in Newaygo County...
. In between, the road passes through suburban Muskegon, forests and farmland. Some 5,900–26,000 vehicles use the highway each day on average as it runs long a series of roads that follow county lines in the area.
The current highway to bear the M-120 designation is the third in the state. The first was a spur route in the 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...
area in the 1930s. The second was a route that connected to like-numbered state highways in both 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...
and Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
. The current M-120 was originally part of M-20
M-20 (Michigan highway)
M-20 is a state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan that runs from New Era to Midland. It crosses through rural Lower Peninsula forest land between the two ends. The highway serves the college towns of Big Rapids and Mt...
until that highway was rerouted between New Era
New Era, Michigan
New Era is a village in Shelby Township, Oceana County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 461 at the 2000 census.New Era is the birthplace of Caldecott Medal-winning children's author Verna Aardema...
and US Highway 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...
(US 31).
Route description
The current route starts at Business US 31 (BUS US 31) where Muskegon LakeMuskegon Lake
Muskegon Lake is a fresh-water lake in Muskegon County, Michigan, USA. Located in the lower peninsula at the mouth of the Muskegon River, Muskegon Lake forms a broad harbor along the eastern shoreline of Lake Michigan, approximately wide by long....
and the Muskegon River
Muskegon River
The Muskegon River is a river in the western portion of the lower peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. The river has its headwaters in Houghton Lake in Roscommon County, flowing out of the North Bay into neighboring Missaukee County. From there it flows mostly southwest to Muskegon, Michigan,...
meet in Muskegon. As it crosses the river, it is known as the Veterans Memorial Causeway, with a section of Veterans Memorial Park between the northbound and southbound sections of the road. This road continues north as Whitehall Road, which connects Muskegon to Whitehall
Whitehall, Michigan
Whitehall is a city in Muskegon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,884 at the 2000 census. The city is located in the southwest corner of Whitehall Township. Montague, Michigan is its neighbor....
. At Whitehall Road, M-120 turns east on Holton Road and continues in a northeastern direction through the suburb of North Muskegon
North Muskegon, Michigan
North Muskegon is a city in Muskegon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,031 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.1 square miles , of which, 1.8 square miles of it is land and 2.3 square miles of it is...
. The south side of the roadway abuts residential areas and Reeths-Puffer High School; the north side is largely undeveloped. M-120 meets the 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...
freeway in Muskegon Township
Muskegon Township, Michigan
Muskegon Charter Township is a charter township of Muskegon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 17,737 at the 2000 census. The City of Muskegon is at the southwest corner of the township and is administratively autonomous....
. Holton Road continues northeasterly past Oak Hill Cemetery and turns northerly at Bard Road. The highway curves to the northeast again through Twin Lakes to avoid several lakes in the area. The landscape along the road between Twin Lakes and Holton, like much of the overall route of the highway, is woodland. Northeast of Holton, those forests transition to farm land as M-120 turns to the north. The highway meets B-31 as it turns north to run along the Muskegon
Muskegon County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 170,200 people, 63,330 households, and 44,267 families residing in the county. The population density was 334 people per square mile . There were 68,556 housing units at an average density of 135 per square mile...
–Newaygo
Newaygo County, Michigan
Newaygo County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is part of the Grand Rapids–Wyoming, MI, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 48,460. The county seat is White Cloud. Newaygo County was either named for an Ojibwe leader who signed the Saginaw...
county line.
As M-120 continues north along the county line, it runs in Holton Township
Holton Township, Michigan
Holton Township is a civil township of Muskegon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 2,532.-Communities:...
in Muskegon County to the west and Sheridan Township in Newaygo County to the east along Maple Island Road. West of Fremont
Fremont, Michigan
Fremont is a city in Newaygo County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,081 at the 2010 census.- History :The first inhabitants of the Fremont area were native Americans. A group of settlers led by Daniel Weaver first settled in the area in 1855. The Weaver homestead served as the...
, the highway meets an intersection with M-82
M-82 (Michigan highway)
M-82 is a state trunkline in the Lower Peninsula in the US state of Michigan that travels between Fremont and Howard City. The section between Newaygo and Howard City travels through Fremont and along the southern edge of Manistee National Forest. The current version of M-82 is actually the second...
and B-86. B-86 runs along the Muskegon–Oceana
Oceana County, Michigan
-US highways:* US-31* US 31 Business Route is a spur serving downtown Hart.* US 31 Business Route loops through downtown Pentwater, returning to mainline US-31 at both ends.-Michigan State Trunklines:* M-20* M-120-Intercounty Highways:*B-15...
county line, and M-82 runs along a township line in Newaygo County. North of this intersection, M-120 follows the Oceana–Newaygo county line that divides Greenwood Township
Greenwood Township, Oceana County, Michigan
Greenwood Township is a civil township of Oceana County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 1,154.-Geography:...
from Dayton Township
Dayton Township, Newaygo County, Michigan
Dayton Township is a civil township of west central Newaygo County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,002 at the 2000 census.The City of Fremont is located partially within the township and is the only incorporated municipality....
. Maple Island Road enters the south side of Hesperia on Division Street. M-120 terminates at an intersection with M-20 in the middle of the village, 27.901 miles (44.9 km) from its starting point.
The Michigan Department of Transportation
Michigan Department of Transportation
The Michigan Department of Transportation is a constitutional government agency in the US state of Michigan. The primary purpose of MDOT is to maintain the Michigan State Trunkline Highway System which includes all Interstate, US and state highways in Michigan with the exception of the Mackinac...
(MDOT) maintains M-120 like all other components of the Michigan state trunkline highway system. As part of these responsibilities, the department tracks traffic volumes along the highway. MDOT uses a metric called average annual daily traffic, which is a calculation of the traffic along a roadway segment for any average day of the year. In 2009, the highest traffic levels were near the southern terminus at 26,736 vehicles each day. The lowest levels MDOT calculated were in Holton at 5,936 vehicles daily. The section between the south end and US 31, M-120 has been listed on the National Highway System
National Highway System (United States)
The National Highway System is a network of strategic highways within the United States, including the Interstate Highway System and other roads serving major airports, ports, rail or truck terminals, railway stations, pipeline terminals and other strategic transport facilities.Individual states...
, a network of roads important to the nation's economy, defense, and mobility. The remainder of the highway has not been listed.
Previous routings
The M-120 designation was originally used on two different roadways in the state. In 1930, a road from US 16 for about a mile at the northwest corner of LansingLansing, 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...
was numbered M-120. In early 1939, the M-174 designation replaced the M-120 moniker on the road. Later that year, the Michigan State Highway Department (MSHD) used the number for a road along the Michigan-Ohio state line. This highway connected to State Route 120 on its east end at the state line and ran west to 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...
at Meridian Road along the Hillsdale
Hillsdale County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 46,527 people, 17,335 households, and 12,550 families residing in the county. The population density was 78 people per square mile . There were 20,189 housing units at an average density of 34 per square mile...
–Lenawee
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...
county line. By the end of 1940, M-120 was extended through Hillsdale County to connect to State Road 120 along the short north–south Michigan–Indiana border. By the middle of 1961, the M-120 designation was retired by the MSHD again. The Ohio and Indiana SR 120 highways are still in place today with only the county road in Michigan connecting them.
Current routing
The MSHD's successor, the Michigan Department of State Highways, realigned the route of M-20 through Western MichiganWestern Michigan
West Michigan and Western Michigan are terms for an arbitrarily selected region in the U.S. state of Michigan in its Lower Peninsula. There is no official definition for what constitutes "West Michigan." The area of West Michigan may also include parts Southern Michigan.-Definition:In general,...
in 1969. In the aftermath of the reroute, the M-20 designation was moved from Muskegon to New Era
New Era, Michigan
New Era is a village in Shelby Township, Oceana County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 461 at the 2000 census.New Era is the birthplace of Caldecott Medal-winning children's author Verna Aardema...
. The former routing of M-20 south of Hesperia to Muskegon was renumbered M-120, including a segment that ran 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...
with M-82. That concurrency was removed in 1978.