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Michigan Route 5

Eastern Terminus: I-96, Detroit, Wayne County. | Northern Terminus: Pontiac Tr., Commerce Twp., Oakland County.

M-5 was designated in 1977 following the transfer of I-96 onto the then newly-completed I-275 and Jeffries Freeways. When first designated, M-5 followed the former BS I-96 from M-102 down to its current eastern terminus at I-96. However, since the mid-1990s, M-5 has been extended on the northern end three times, corresponding to the gradual extension of a new expressway from the I-96/I-275/I-696 interchange in Farmington Hills northward. At that interchange, M-5 changes from an east/west highway into a north/south one.

Eastern Terminus


The eastern terminus of M-5 is at I-96 (Exit 185) in Detroit. There is no signage indicating this to be the endpoint of M-5. However, Grand River Ave. does continue on into downtown Detroit as an un-signed state-maintained thoroughfare. Interestingly, M-5 is not mentioned on any of the exit signs for this interchange off of I-96, just Grand River Ave. (and Schaefer Hwy.).
PHOTO # 1: Howard Goldman, November 3, 2003.

Northern Terminus


Originally, the junction of M-5 and M-102 on the border between Livonia and Farmington Hills served as M-5's western terminus. M-102 then took over for M-5 along Grand River Ave. to the former starting point of I-96, just northwest of Middlebelt Rd., then followed the former I-96 up to a terminus at the I-96/I-275/I-696 interchange. In 1994, the first, but rather short, stretch of a new expressway opened from the I-96/I-275/I-696 interchange up to a new interchange with 12 Mile Rd. That year, M-102 was truncated to its intersection with M-5, and M-5 was extended over M-102, and then onto the short expressway stub. The expressway is known by some locals as the "Haggerty Connector", referring to the two-lane Haggerty Rd. which parallels M-5 0.5 mile to the east. In 1998, a new stretch of the expressway opened up to 14 Mile Rd. on the border between Novi and Commerce Township. Along this 2 mile stretch, the only access provided to M-5 is at 13 and 14 Mile Rds. at intersections which require Michigan Left maneuvers for left turns. There are no driveways and no other side roads that impact the expressway.
 
Finally, in November 2002, the final stretch of the M-5 expressway opened up between 14 Mile Rd. and Pontiac Tr., which serves as M-5's northern terminus. Along the latest extension, access to M-5 is possible only at Maple Rd. and Pontiac Tr. The first photo shows that a warning sign alludes to the upcoming end to M-5 in 0.5 mile. The second photo shows the actual M-5 ENDS shield assembly present at Pontiac Tr. In all, the M-5 expressway is eight lanes from I-96/I-275/I-696 to Maple Rd., and six lanes from Maple Rd. to Pontiac Tr.
PHOTOS # 1 - 2: Howard Goldman, November 2003.
Here is the starting point of M-5 South as seen from Westbound Pontiac Tr. A number of guide signs in the area along Pontiac Tr. and Haggerty Rd. direct traffic toward M-5 South.
PHOTO # 3: Howard Goldman, November 2003.

Links
 
  • M-5 @ Michigan Highways (Chris Bessert)
     
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    © 2004, Michigan Highway Ends.
    Page Created: February 13, 2004.
    Last Updated: February 13, 2004.