Michigan Highway Ends | Michigan Route 18

The southern terminus of M-18 is at a four-ramp parclo interchange with US 10 in North Bradley. An M-18 ENDS shield assembly is not present at this endpoint. Phil mentions that, unlike M-30 seven miles to the east, which was permanently re-aligned to permit construction of an overpass of the US 10 freeway when constructed in the early 1960s, M-18 retained its original alignment when its interchange with US 10 was built.
PHOTOS # 1 - 2: Phil Putnam, September 9, 2003.

This scene shows the start of M-18 North, as seen from just before the US 10 interchange.
PHOTO # 3: Phil Putnam, September 9, 2003.

Historic Southern Terminus: 1920-1926

When M-18 was first designated in 1920, it cut east at Beaverton over to M-30, then proceeded south to Sanford, then continued south along present-day Meridian Rd. to a southern terminus at M-46 on the Gratiot/Saginaw County Line west of Merrill. In 1926, M-18 was re-aligned south of Beaverton to come to an end at the then newly-designated US 10 in North Bradley. The M-80 designation was applied to the former routing of M-18 between Beaverton and M-30, and M-30 was extended along the remainder of the former M-18 down to M-46. This photo shows the historic southern end of M-18, looking south along Meridian Rd. at its intersection with M-46.
PHOTO # 1: Phil Putnam, September 9, 2003.

Here, Phil presents the view north along Meridian Rd. toward the historic beginning of M-18 North.
PHOTO # 2: Phil Putnam, September 9, 2003.

Northern Terminus

The northern terminus of M-18 is at M-72 just west of the Crawford/Oscoda County Line about halfway between Grayling and Mio. County Desginated Highway F-97, which multiplexes with M-18 for its northernmost four miles, continues onward after M-18 comes to an end.
PHOTOS # 1 - 2: Brian Reynolds, May 11, 2002.

Links

M-18 @ Michigan Highways (Chris Bessert)