M-6 Ends | Michigan Highway Ends

Temporary Western Terminus: M-37, 1 mile south of Kentwood | Temporary Length: 5.7 miles | Eastern Terminus: I-96 (Exit 46), 3 miles east of Kentwood

When completed in 2005, M-6 will provide a twenty mile long, four lane freeway by-pass of Grand Rapids to the south, connecting I-196, west of Wyoming, to I-96, east of Kentwood. M-6, also known as the Paul B. Henry Freeway, or the Grand Rapids South Beltline, is being constructed in three phases: (1) I-96 to M-37, opened November 21, 2001; (2) M-37 to US-131, scheduled to open in 2005; and (3) US 131 to I-196, also slated to open in 2005. For more information on the massive M-6 project, please visit MDOT's M-6 Project Page.

With only Phase I of the South Beltline open at this time, M-6 has what amounts to a temporary western terminus at a six-ramp parclo interchange with M-37, just south of Kentwood. When the entire project is complete in 2005, M-6 will have its western endpoint at I-196, just west of Wyoming.

As west M-6 approaches the M-37 interchange, a FREEWAY ENDS 1 MILE advisory sign is present. All traffic is diverted onto the exit ramp to M-37.
(PHOTO # 1: Adrian Leskiw / Dan Garnell | October 12, 2002)

Currently, this is the lone east M-6 reassurance maker, located just east of the M-37 interchange.
(PHOTO # 2: Adrian Leskiw / Dan Garnell | October 12, 2002)

On east M-6, this guide sign on the 60th Street overpass is the first acknowledgement of the upcoming end at I-96, 2 miles ahead. Note the special black-on-yellow text line on the bottom of the sign that indicates that M-6 ends.
(PHOTO # 1: Brian Reynolds | May 5, 2002)

1 mile from the end of east M-6 is this overhead diagrammic sign, showing the lane maneuvers at the split of the ramps to west and east I-96, respectively. A pair of M-6 ENDS signs stand on either side of this sign truss.
(PHOTO # 2: Brian Reynolds | May 5, 2002)

A third lane opens up on east M-6 as it passes underneath the sign bridge located 0.5 mile from the interchange. The left lane leads to west I-96, the right lane goes to east I-96, and the center lane allows for access to either direction of I-96. Yet another pair of M-6 ENDS signs are present on either side of this gantry!
(PHOTO # 3: Brian Reynolds | May 5, 2002)

Here is the final sign truss for east M-6, as it partitions into the ramps for west and east I-96, respectively.
(PHOTO # 4: Brian Reynolds | May 5, 2002)

This is the first, and for right now only, west M-6 trailblazer.
(PHOTO # 5: Adrian Leskiw / Dan Garnell | October 12, 2002)

The first guide sign on east I-96 announcing the upcoming interchange with M-6 is attached to the Thornapple River Drive overpass, 0.75 mile from the exit. Because there is no clear-cut destination for west M-6 at this time, it is signed as TO M-37, but not given a control city.
(PHOTO # 6: Adrian Leskiw / Dan Garnell | October 12, 2002)

Like signage acknowledging the upcoming start to west M-6 from west I-96 is mounted to the Whitneyville Avenue bridge, 1 mile from the interchange.
(PHOTO # 7: Adrian Leskiw / Dan Garnell | October 12, 2002)

This is the exit signage for M-6 from west I-96 at the interchange. The ramps for this interchange were designed to accomodate higher speeds, as indicated by the posted ramp advisory speed of 55 mph.
(PHOTO # 8: Adrian Leskiw / Dan Garnell | October 12, 2002)