M-239 marker

M-239

Map
M-239 highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by MDOT
Length1.136 mi[1] (1.828 km)
Existed1963[2][3]–present
Major junctions
South end SR 39 south of New Buffalo
North end I-94 near New Buffalo
Location
CountryUnited States
StateMichigan
CountiesBerrien
Highway system
← M-231→ M-247

M-239 is a north–south state trunkline highway in Berrien County in the extreme southwestern corner of the US state of Michigan connecting State Road 39 (SR 39) in Indiana to Interstate 94 (I-94). The highway was designated in 1963, and it provided the only connection from the southern end of I-94 into Indiana until 1972.

Route description

As SR 39 crosses into Michigan it becomes M-239. As soon as it crosses the border, the road curves around to the northwest where it continues through a generally rural area. The trunkline intersects Wilson Road and passes next to a commercial development. After a little over a mile (1.8 km), the road comes to its northern terminus at an interchange with I-94 at exit 1. While M-239 officially ends at the interchange, the roadway, known as Harbor Country Drive, continues to the northwest and into New Buffalo, providing access to US Highway 12.[4][5] Like other state highways in Michigan, M-239 is maintained by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). In 2011, the department's traffic surveys showed that on average, 6,231 vehicles used the highway daily.[6] No section of M-239 is listed on the National Highway System,[7] a network of roads important to the country's economy, defense, and mobility.[8]

History

M-239 always ended at I-94, even though Harbor Country Drive continues into New Buffalo. Before completion of the Indiana portion of I-94, the freeway ended at the present exit 1. A 1.1-mile-long (1.8 km) stretch of LaPorte Road[a] was designated as M-239 in 1963 to carry traffic to SR 39, which connects to the Indiana Toll Road.[2][3] Until 1972, when Indiana constructed their section of I-94, M-239 and SR 39 were the only connection from the southern end of I-94 in Michigan across the state line.[10][11] That year, the highway carried more than 15,000 vehicles a day.[12]

Major intersections

The entire highway is in New Buffalo Township, Berrien County.

mi[1]kmDestinationsNotes
0.0000.000

 SR 39 south to Indiana Toll Road – La Porte		Indiana state line
1.1361.828 I-94 – Detroit, Chicago
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

Notes

  1. ^ LaPorte Road was renamed to Harbor Country Drive in 2009.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b Michigan Department of Transportation (2021). Next Generation PR Finder (Map). Michigan Department of Transportation. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Michigan State Highway Department (1963). Official Highway Map (Map). [c. 1:918,720]. Lansing: Michigan State Highway Department. § N7. OCLC 12701120. Retrieved October 17, 2019 – via Michigan History Center.
  3. ^ a b Michigan State Highway Department (1964). Official Highway Map (Map). [c. 1:918,720]. Lansing: Michigan State Highway Department. § N7. OCLC 12701120, 81213707. 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. § N7. OCLC 42778335, 794857350.
  5. ^ Google (July 2, 2012). "Overview Map of M-239" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved July 2, 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 6, 2014. 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. ^ Gudas, Ray (January 31, 2009). "'Gateway' to Area Laporte Road Renamed to Promote Idea of Harbor Country Region". The Herald-Palladium. St. Joseph, MI. Archived from the original on January 15, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  10. ^ Michigan Department of State Highways (1972). Michigan, Great Lake State: Official Highway Map (Map). c. 1:918,720. Lansing: Michigan Department of State Highways. § N7. OCLC 12701120.
  11. ^ Michigan Department of State Highways (1973). Michigan, Great Lake State: Official Highway Map (Map). c. 1:918,720. Lansing: Michigan Department of State Highways. § N7. OCLC 12701120, 81679137. Retrieved October 17, 2019 – via Michigan History Center.
  12. ^ "Just Smidgins of Highways: But They Make It Possible to Get to Important Places". The State Journal. Lansing, Michigan. April 17, 1972. p. B1. Retrieved October 10, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.

External links

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