Introduction
The assembly line, Ford Motor Company, the Model T; Michigan was the birthplace of the mass-produced automobile and the world’s infatuation with cars. It only makes sense that our beloved state has an extensive history with not only automobiles, but the roads on which we use our automobiles every day. Here is a look into the origins of the different types of trafficways in Michigan, as well as the differences between them, so you can know what to expect on any type of road that you happen to encounter.
The First Roads & Early Innovations
Before there were broad, wide-stretching highways, there was a network of Native American trails that laid the foundation for what we have today. These trails were very narrow and did not accommodate vehicles of any sort, given that they were carved out by centuries of foot travel. It wasn’t until European settlers came with supplies and oxen-drawn wagons, that a need for wider, more capable roads arose. The demand for well-built roads was initially met in various ways. Some of the earliest roads intended for vehicle usage were set up by the Michigan governor in 1805, following the official establishment of the territory. These roads were meant to facilitate transportation and commerce between farming populations and their neighboring market centers. In addition to these early, agriculturally motivated roads, many of the first roads were installed to improve travel between military bases (2024, Michigan Highways).
While still a territory, Michigan developed a loose network of township roads that connected some of the early towns with one another. These roads received limited funding from the federal government and were mainly the responsibility of the Territory and its subordinate government offices. In 1844 (following Michigan becoming a state in 1837) private turnpike companies began expanding the road system and making up for the lack of government funding and initiative. This is significant, as it was one of the only times throughout history that Michigan’s road development was not a direct responsibility of the government. Maintenance of these early roads proved to be difficult, as there was no sole party responsible for their upkeep (2024, Michigan Highways).
Throughout the 19th century, there were various efforts to consolidate and standardize the funding of new roads and the upkeep of existing ones. It wasn’t until 1905 that a state highway department was officially created, after overcoming legal battles and opposition to its creation. This agency was the precursor to the Michigan Department of Transportation, which currently oversees the maintenance and development of Michigan’s state highways. As to not bore anyone with the details of 20th century Michigan highway history, some of the specifics of this 100-year span will be brushed over. Just know that during this time, the demand for automobiles skyrocketed and our modern, car-oriented infrastructure began to take shape. If interested in a more detailed history of this 100-year period, it is available here.
Our Modern Route System
Today, we have three main road classifications: State Highways, County Roads, and City Streets. Here is some information regarding the identifiers, characteristics, and upkeep of each type of road classification present in Michigan today.
State Highways: State highway refers to all Interstate-, US-, and M- marked routes within Michigan and accounts for about 8% of total roadways (2023, The Road Commission for Oakland County). These highways fall under the jurisdiction of Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and are the responsibility of the state government to maintain. Although sometimes referred to as state highways, the M- highways are only one subset of the various highway types that make up state highways. The term state highways can be confusing as to what it refers to but just know that within the context of this blog, it is referring to Interstate- and US- highways, as well as the M- highways (2024, Michigan Highways).
Above are the markers for Interstate-, US- and M- highways respectively. All three receive federal and state funding and are under the direct management of MDOT. The main ways in which these highways differ are in their design and intended function. Interstate- Highways are designed to connect states, and were originally installed by President Eisenhower to assist with mass evacuations in the event of an atomic bombing (2023, Federal Highway Administration). Given the original purpose of these highways, they are the highest speed and widest in terms of lanes, with more than 80% of the interstate highway system featuring 4 lanes or more (2017, Federal Highway Administration) . They primarily facilitate state to state transportation and commerce and are the busiest highway type in Michigan (2024, Michigan Highways). US- Highways were designed with the intention of connecting individual cities (rather than states). These highways differ from interstate highways mainly in the way that go directly through numerous towns and feature turns onto other roads directly off of the highway (where interstate highways primarily rely on exits and entrances and have less total stopping points) (2021, Route 66). M- Highways, the last of the three state highway types, are the most plentiful in Michigan, making up over 6,000 miles of road (2024, Michigan Highways). While Interstate and US highways can be more easily defined by their characteristics, M- numbered highways are more of an umbrella term used to capture highways that fail to meet the criteria for Interstate- and US-. Some prominent examples of such highways in Southeast Michigan are M-59 (sometimes referred to as Hall Rd) and M-53 (sometimes referred to as Van Dyke).
County Roads: County Roads are the next major type of road classification that can be found in Michigan. County Roads differ from State Highways mainly in who is responsible for maintaining them. While State Highways are the responsibility of MDOT, county roads fall under the jurisdiction of individual county road commissions. In Michigan, nearly 75% of all roads fall under county jurisdiction. The reason for the high number of roads being classified this way can likely be attributed to the fact that in Michigan, legislation specifies that Townships cannot have jurisdiction over roads. Therefore, all roads in townships fall under county jurisdiction, in the state of Michigan (2023, The Road Commission for Oakland County)
While most Michigan drivers have grown accustomed to zipping down smooth, asphalt roads in the express lane, many county roads offer a stark contrast to this image. Although a high number are paved and provide a comfortable driving experience, a considerable amount of county roads are composed of gravel and dirt. Gravel and dirt roads pose a variety of unique driving hazards and maintenance difficulties, including dust clouds, rapid road erosion, and increased challenges during wet and snowy weather (2003, Environmental Protection Agency).
City Streets: The remainder of roads in Michigan (nearly 18% of total roads) belongs to the city/village streets classification (2023, The Road Commission for Oakland County). These roads fall under the jurisdiction of the municipality that they are contained within. Exactly what constitutes a city/village street is not clearly defined, since jurisdiction over this type of street is often decided on a case-by-case basis. As stated in the Road Commission for Oakland County’s recent Guide to Michigan’s Road Funding Crisis:
The cities and villages have jurisdiction over all residential or subdivision/neighborhood streets within their boundaries. Whether a city or village or the road commission has jurisdiction over major streets within the community depends upon a variety of factors and differs from community to community. (2023, The Road Commission for Oakland County)
Roads of this classification take many different shapes, sizes, and surfaces, similar to the number of different roads classified as county roads. While you can’t generalize the characteristics of these roads like you can state highways, a rule of thumb to help you identify these is that they are smaller and slower than highways. As stated above, a large part of the roads making up this category are residential.
Staying Safe on the Road
Every year in Michigan, over 200,000 traffic accidents happen, with over 1,000 of those crashes resulting in fatalities (2023, Michigan State Police). Whether you are flying down the expressway on your way up north; commuting to work on the street you take every day; or bouncing your way down and uncharted back road, safety is key! Here are some ways you can make sure you are remaining safe.
Distracted Driving: In 2023, nearly half of total traffic crashes took place on a Michigan state highway. Unsurprisingly, of the three types of state highways present in Michigan, the highest number of accidents happened on M- numbered highways, likely due to the fact that these are the most plentiful (2024, Michigan Highways). No matter the road classification, distracted driving is a very common accident cause, claiming over 3,000 lives nationwide in 2022. Given the long and straight nature of highways, many drivers find it acceptable to look away from the road and tend to the variety of distractions (phone calls, texts, crying children, etc.) competing for their attention. While driving on highways, city streets or county roads, it is important that you remain laser-focused on the road, even over long, unchanging stretches.
Bad Weather: No matter the road type you are on, preparing for adverse weather conditions is always advisable. Bad weather can pose a variety of risks while driving, including slick surfaces that make it hard to stop and limited visibility which can make it nearly impossible to see oncoming hazards. It is important to be proactive and check the weather forecast before your next drive, as road conditions can change in the blink of an eye. Having knowledge of the weather forecast allows you to anticipate variable conditions that you otherwise cannot plan for – like when rain turns to ice after the temperature drops below freezing.
Poor Road Surfaces: It should come as no surprise that Michigan’s roads are notoriously uneven, bumpy, and dilapidated. Partially due to a lack of funding, partially due to the nature of the weather in Michigan, it is hard to say exactly why our roads are always in the torn-up state they seem to be in. Regardless of why our roads are bumpy and uneven, the fact remains that they are. This is especially true in the case of unpaved county roads, commonly found throughout Michigan. To stay safe on our distinctly Michigan roads, there are steps you can take to properly deal with uneven, worn-down driving surfaces. Frist, don’t go too fast! Going slow not only allows you to remain in control of your vehicle but also reduces the amount of wear and tear on your vehicle’s suspension. Another tip is to never jerk your wheel left or right. It’s often hard to maintain traction on uneven roads, especially dirt or gravel ones. By remaining smooth and controlled in your wheel movements, you can successfully navigate even the most pot-hole-laden roads. Finally, regarding dirt roads, make sure to stay in the center! Unlike highways and city streets, lanes are not clearly marked on many unpaved county roads. By staying in the center of these roads and making way for oncoming traffic, you are keeping your vehicle in the safest position, away from ditches, debris, and ruts on the road’s side.
Driving Under the Influence: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is always a bad idea. Being under the influence of drugs and alcohol can severely impair your judgment and cause you to make decisions you would not have otherwise. This is especially dangerous while driving, where even the slightest misstep can result in catastrophic outcomes. In Michigan, the legal blood alcohol content is .08% for most drivers. If you have had something to drink and think you might be anywhere close to the legal BAC limit, don’t get behind the wheel! Too many lives have been lost to negligent individuals making the irresponsible and illegal decision to drive while intoxicated. There are countless options to avoid driving in this state, including calling a cab, ordering an uber, contacting a friend, or even just walking. Outside of alcohol, many different drugs (both prescription and street-obtained) have psychoactive effects on their users, whether or not their users are aware of these effects. If you take some sort of drug, it is always a good idea to confirm that it is safe to drive while under the influence of said drug, before you get behind the wheel.
Dealing with Road Rage: One final road hazard you may encounter in Michigan (and elsewhere) is road rage. Often, individuals who struggle with anger management have a hard time composing themselves behind the wheel – a very stressful place! These individuals often engage in dangerous and illegal actions that are colloquially referred to as road rage. Road rage often manifests in the form of screaming and yelling, hand gestures, aggressive movements of one’s vehicle, and attempts to endanger or intimidate other drivers. Situations of road rage often start on a small scale, but can quickly escalate to violent, life-threatening matters very quickly. If you find yourself in contact with a suspected road rager, you should attempt to not engage, keep your distance, and remain calm. Often these situations will pass by, without the need for interjection form law enforcement, but in some rare cases, the cops need to be called. If you feel like your life or immediate safety is being threatened by another driver, don’t hesitate in heading to the nearest police station and calling 911 to alert the authorities of the situation.
Conclusion
Michigan has a long and extensive history of automobiles and roads. Throughout the years, various laws and political movements have caused our road system to take the shape it has today. Knowing the type of road you are driving on and its associated characteristics is vital to remaining safe behind the wheel. By familiarizing yourself with Michigan’s road types, as well as taking additional safety precautions, you can ensure that your next auto-outing is a safe one.
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