M-122 (Michigan highway)
Encyclopedia
M-122 was a state trunkline highway
in the US state of Michigan
entirely in the city of St. Ignace
. The highway connected US Highway 2
(US 2) to the State Highway Ferry Dock used before the Mackinac Bridge
was built. It was retired and the road returned to local control in 1957.
had to do so via ferry. M-122 began at US 2 (now Business Loop Interstate 75) near Straits State Park
and traveled through town along Ferry Road where it ran southeasterly from the main highway. East of Hornbach Street M-122 curved around to the east near Paro Street. The highway ended at the State Ferry Docks on the southeast side of the city next to the Coast Guard station.
in 1929 as a connector between US 31
and Straits State Park
. In 1936, US 2 was routed into St. Ignace and US 31 was scaled back to end in the Lower Peninsula in Mackinaw City. M-122 now provided a connection between US 2 and the new docks on the southeast side of the city. It existed in this capacity until 1957 when the Mackinac Bridge opened to traffic.
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"....
entirely in the city of St. Ignace
St. Ignace, Michigan
Saint Ignace, usually written as St. Ignace, is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 2,678. It is the county seat of Mackinac County. From the Lower Peninsula, St. Ignace is the gateway to the Upper Peninsula.St...
. The highway connected US Highway 2
U.S. Route 2 in Michigan
US Highway 2 is a component of the United States Numbered Highway System that connects Everett, Washington, to the Upper Peninsula of the US state of Michigan, with a separate segment that runs from Rouses Point, New York, to Houlton, Maine...
(US 2) to the State Highway Ferry Dock used before the Mackinac Bridge
Mackinac Bridge
The Mackinac Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Straits of Mackinac to connect the non-contiguous Upper and Lower peninsulas of the U.S. state of Michigan. Opened in 1957, the bridge is the third longest in total suspension in the world and the longest suspension bridge between anchorages...
was built. It was retired and the road returned to local control in 1957.
Route description
Prior to the opening of the Mackinac Bridge, travelers wishing to venture from St. Ignace to Mackinaw CityMackinaw City, Michigan
Mackinaw City is a village in Emmet and Cheboygan counties in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2000 census the population was 859. The name "Mackinaw City" is a bit of a misnomer as it is actually a village...
had to do so via ferry. M-122 began at US 2 (now Business Loop Interstate 75) near Straits State Park
Straits State Park
Straits State Park is a state park in the U.S. state of Michigan located in St. Ignace, Mackinac County, on the northern shore of the Straits of Mackinac. The Father Marquette National Memorial and park is also located within the state park boundaries...
and traveled through town along Ferry Road where it ran southeasterly from the main highway. East of Hornbach Street M-122 curved around to the east near Paro Street. The highway ended at the State Ferry Docks on the southeast side of the city next to the Coast Guard station.
History
M-122 was initially assumed into the state highway systemMichigan 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 1929 as a connector between 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...
and Straits State Park
Straits State Park
Straits State Park is a state park in the U.S. state of Michigan located in St. Ignace, Mackinac County, on the northern shore of the Straits of Mackinac. The Father Marquette National Memorial and park is also located within the state park boundaries...
. In 1936, US 2 was routed into St. Ignace and US 31 was scaled back to end in the Lower Peninsula in Mackinaw City. M-122 now provided a connection between US 2 and the new docks on the southeast side of the city. It existed in this capacity until 1957 when the Mackinac Bridge opened to traffic.