M-109is the designation of astate trunkline highwayin theLower Peninsulaof the US state ofMichiganthat runs betweenEmpireandGlen Arbor.The highway is a loop connected toM-22at both ends that allows tourists access toSleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshoreand thePierce Stocking Scenic Drivelocated on a section of sandy forest land betweenLake MichiganandGlen Lake.The trunkline traverses an area named the "Most Beautiful Place in America" byGood Morning America,themorning showonABC.The highway was designated by 1929 and fully paved in 1939.
 M-109 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 M-109 highlighted in red | ||||
| Route information | ||||
| Maintained byMDOT | ||||
| Length | 6.831 mi[1](10.993 km) | |||
| Existed | c. May 1, 1929[2]–present | |||
| Major junctions | ||||
| South end |  M-22nearEmpire | |||
| North end | M-22atGlen Arbor | |||
| Location | ||||
| Country | United States | |||
| State | Michigan | |||
| Counties | Leelanau | |||
| Highway system | ||||
| ||||
Route description
editM-109 starts at an intersection on M-22 north of Empire. The trunkline runs northward along Dune Highway past Maple Grove Cemetery and through woods in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.[3][4]The area was named the "Most Beautiful Place in America" byGood Morning Americain August 2011;[5]the designation came after asocial mediacampaign to capitalize on the show's website poll.[6]Further north, the highway passes the entrance to Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive before running along the western shore of Glen Lake. Near the northwestern corner of the lake, M-109 passes the entrance to the Dune Climb in an area that's predominantly fields. The trunkline makes a 90-degree turn at the intersection with Glen Haven Road, the formerM-209,south ofGlen Haven,a former logging town on the shores ofLake Michigan.M-109 turns easterly at the intersection to follow Harbor Highway. It runs through another wooded area between Glen Lake and Sleeping Bear Bay. The highway passes the D.H. Day Campground and enters Glen Arbor, following Western Avenue. At the intersection with M-22 (Ray Street), M-109 terminates in the middle of town.[3][4]
Like other state highways in Michigan, M-109 is maintained by theMichigan Department of Transportation(MDOT). In 2011, the department's traffic surveys showed that onaverage,783 vehicles used the highway daily along Dune Highway and 758 vehicles did so each day along Harbor Highway, the highest and lowest counts along the highway, respectively.[7]No section of M-109 is listed on theNational Highway System,[8]a network of roads important to the country's economy, defense, and mobility.[9]
History
editThe first section of roadway to receive the M-109 designation was in place and signed on maps by May 1, 1929. The roadway was a spur from M-22 north of Empire that ended at Glen Haven, just west of the D.H. Day State Park.[2]The highway was extended east along an existing road between Glen Haven and Glen Arbor. This extension was in place by May 1, 1933, completing the modern routing of M-109.[10]The highway was fully paved in 1939.[11][12]
Major intersections
editThe entire highway is inLeelanau County.
| Location | mi[1] | km | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Empire Township | 0.000 | 0.000 |  M-22/LMCT–Empire | |
| 1.260 | 2.028 | Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive | ||
| Glen Haven | 4.798 | 7.722 | Glen Haven Road | FormerM-209 |
| Glen Arbor | 6.831 | 10.993 | M-22/LMCT–Leland | |
| 1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi | ||||
See also
edit
References
edit- ^abMichigan Department of Transportation(2021).Next Generation PR Finder(Map). Michigan Department of Transportation.RetrievedOctober 11,2021.
- ^abMichigan State Highway Department(May 1, 1929).Official Highway Service Map(Map). [c. 1:810,000]. Lansing: Michigan State Highway Department.OCLC12701195,79754957.
- ^abMichigan Department of Transportation (2012).Pure Michigan: State Transportation Map(Map). c. 1:975,000. Lansing: Michigan Department of Transportation. § G8.OCLC42778335,794857350.
- ^ab"Overview Map of M-109"(Map).Google Maps.RetrievedJuly 9,2012.
- ^Orso, Alberto; Parise, Sabrina (August 17, 2011)."Sleeping Bear Dunes Voted 'Most Beautiful Place in America'".Good Morning America.New York:American Broadcasting Company.Archivedfrom the original on August 22, 2011.RetrievedSeptember 12,2011.
- ^Lovy, Howard (August 24, 2011)."The Sleeping Giant Behind Sleeping Bear: How Scenery and Social Media Created 'The Most Beautiful Place in America'".Crain's Detroit Business.Detroit:Crain Communications.Archivedfrom the original on September 13, 2012.RetrievedSeptember 12,2011.
- ^Bureau of Transportation Planning (2008)."Traffic Monitoring Information System".Michigan Department of Transportation.RetrievedJune 30,2012.
- ^Michigan Department of Transportation (April 23, 2006).National Highway System, Michigan(PDF)(Map). Scale not given. Lansing: Michigan Department of Transportation. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on October 4, 2012.RetrievedOctober 7,2008.
- ^Natzke, Stefan; Neathery, Mike & Adderly, Kevin (June 20, 2012)."What is the National Highway System?".National Highway System.Federal Highway Administration.RetrievedJuly 1,2012.
- ^Michigan State Highway Department &Rand McNally(May 1, 1933).Official Michigan Highway Map(Map). [c. 1:840,000]. Lansing: Michigan State Highway Department. § G8.OCLC12701053.Archived fromthe originalon May 10, 2017.RetrievedDecember 18,2016– via Archives of Michigan.
- ^Michigan State Highway Department & Rand McNally (April 15, 1939).Official Michigan Highway Map(Map) (Summer ed.). [c. 1:850,000]. Lansing: Michigan State Highway Department. § G8.OCLC12701143.
- ^Michigan State Highway Department & Rand McNally (December 1, 1939).Official Michigan Highway Map(Map) (Winter ed.). [c. 1:850,000]. Lansing: Michigan State Highway Department. § G8.OCLC12701143.RetrievedOctober 17,2019– via Michigan History Center.
External links
edit- M-109at Michigan Highways