M-222 (Michigan highway)

M-222 is the current designation of a state trunkline highway in Allegan County of the US state of Michigan. It runs between the city of Allegan, where it connects with M-40/M-89, and the US Highway 131 (US 131) freeway near Martin. The highway runs along a series of streets in Allegan and through rural farm fields and woods between the two communities along 116th Avenue. The roadway was a state highway back in 1919 when the system was initially signed. It was assigned as part of M-89 and M-40 before being given its own number, M-118. That designation was applied to the highway until 1988 when that was retired in favor of the current M-222.

M-222 marker

M-222

M-222 highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by MDOT
Length10.247 mi[1] (16.491 km)
Existed1988[2][3]–present
Major junctions
West end M-40 / M-89 in Allegan
East end US 131 near Martin
Location
CountryUnited States
StateMichigan
CountiesAllegan
Highway system
← M-221→ US 223
← M-117M-118→ M-119

Route description

M-222 begins at an intersection with M-40/M-89 in the town of Allegan at the corner of Cutler and Cedar streets. From there, the trunkline runs northward on Cedar Street for a block before turning eastward on Monroe Street. Then the highway proceeds through residential areas along Monroe and turns onto Grand Street to cross over the Kalamazoo River. M-222 intersects A-37 (Main Street) and runs next to Padgham Field before exiting town. From there, the highway continues on due eastward as 116th Avenue through rural areas and agricultural fields. Further east, the fields are taken over by forested area and residential subdivisions in places near Watson. The trunkline jogs to the south to bisect Wetheral Lake. M-222 ends north of US 131 Motorsports Park near exit 55 on US 131 east of Martin.[4][5]

Like other state highways in Michigan, M-222 is maintained by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). In 2011, the department's traffic surveys showed that on average, 9,147 vehicles used the highway daily in Allegan between M-40/M-89 and A-37 and 5,470 vehicles did so each day between near the eastern terminus, the highest and lowest counts along the highway, respectively.[6] No section of M-222 is listed on the National Highway System,[7] a network of roads important to the country's economy, defense, and mobility.[8]

History

When the state highway system was initially signposted in 1919,[9] the highway between Allegan and Martin was part of M-89.[10] In 1926, when M-40 was extended from Allegan to Martin, M-89 was rerouted out of Allegan to the southeast along its present-day alignment to terminate at US 131 in Plainwell.[11]

M-118 marker

M-118

LocationAllegan–Martin
Length10.247 mi[1] (16.491 km)
Existed1929[12][13]–1988[2][3]

In 1929, the routing from Allegan to Martin was removed and renumbered M-118, and M-40 was extended to the north out of Allegan along M-89 and its modern routing to a new terminus in Holland ending at US 31.[12][13] By the middle of 1960, the US 131 was opened as far south as Martin; the section of M-118 between the new freeway and the old routing was used as a connector until the next section south to Plainwell opened the next year. After this next freeway segment was opened, M-118 was truncated to end at the freeway.[14][15]

In 1988, the M-118 designation was decommissioned and the highway was renumbered M-222 to prevent confusion with 118th street which runs parallel to the route about one mile (1.6 km) to the north for most of the length.[2][3]

Major intersections

The entire highway is in Allegan County.

Locationmi[1]kmDestinationsNotes
Allegan0.0000.000 M-40 / M-89 – Holland, Paw Paw
0.6621.065
 A-37 north – Hudsonville		Southern terminus of A-37
Martin Township10.24716.491 US 131 – Grand Rapids, KalamazooExit 55 on US 131
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

References
  1. Michigan Department of Transportation (2021). Next Generation PR Finder (Map). Michigan Department of Transportation. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  2. Michigan Department of Transportation (1988). Yes Michigan: Department of Transportation Map (Map). c. 1:918,720. Lansing: Michigan Department of Transportation. §§ M8–M9. OCLC 42778335. Retrieved October 17, 2019 – via Michigan History Center.
  3. Michigan Department of Transportation (1989). Celebrate the Great Lakes, Yes Michigan: Michigan Department of Transportation Map (Map). c. 1:918,720. Lansing: Michigan Department of Transportation. §§ M8–M9. OCLC 42778335. Retrieved October 17, 2019 – via Michigan History Center.
  4. Michigan Department of Transportation (2012). Pure Michigan: State Transportation Map (Map). c. 1:975,000. Lansing: Michigan Department of Transportation. § M8–M9. OCLC 42778335, 794857350.
  5. Google (July 7, 2012). "Overview Map of M-222" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  6. Bureau of Transportation Planning (2008). "Traffic Monitoring Information System". Michigan Department of Transportation. Retrieved June 30, 2012.
  7. Michigan Department of Transportation (April 23, 2006). National Highway System, Michigan (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Lansing: Michigan Department of Transportation. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 4, 2012. Retrieved October 7, 2008.
  8. Natzke, Stefan; Neathery, Mike & Adderly, Kevin (June 20, 2012). "What is the National Highway System?". National Highway System. Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  9. "Michigan May Do Well Following Wisconsin's Road Marking System". The Grand Rapids Press. September 20, 1919. p. 10. OCLC 9975013.
  10. Michigan State Highway Department (July 1, 1919). State of Michigan (Map). Scale not given. Lansing: Michigan State Highway Department. Lower Peninsula sheet. OCLC 15607244. Retrieved October 17, 2019 – via Michigan History Center.
  11. Michigan State Highway Department (December 1, 1926). Official Highway Condition Map (Map). [c. 1:823,680]. Lansing: Michigan State Highway Department.
  12. Michigan State Highway Department (May 1, 1929). Official Highway Service Map (Map). [c. 1:810,000]. Lansing: Michigan State Highway Department. OCLC 12701195, 79754957.
  13. Michigan State Highway Department & H.M. Gousha (January 1, 1930). Official Highway Service Map (Map). [c. 1:810,000]. Lansing: Michigan State Highway Department. OCLC 12701195, 79754957.
  14. Michigan State Highway Department (1960). Official Highway Map (Map). [c. 1:918,720]. Lansing: Michigan State Highway Department. § M9. OCLC 12701120, 81552576. Retrieved October 17, 2019 – via Michigan History Center. (Includes all changes through July 1, 1960)
  15. Michigan State Highway Department (1961). Official Highway Map (Map). [c. 1:918,720]. Lansing: Michigan State Highway Department. § M9. OCLC 12701120, 51857665. Retrieved October 17, 2019 – via Michigan History Center. (Includes all changes through July 1, 1961)
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