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M-55 (Michigan highway)

M-55 is one of only three state highways that extend across the Lower Peninsula in the U.S. state of Michigan from Lake Huron to Lake Michigan, the others being M-46 and M-72.

M-55 had its beginning about 1920 when it was designated from Merritt to Cadillac. About 1926, M-55 was extended eastward to Houghton Lake, and another segment of the highway was started from Whittemore westward to West Branch. Later, M-55 was extended eastward from Whittmore to US 23 at Tawas City.

In 1932, the two segments of M-55 were connected when a stretch of the highway was opened between West Branch and Houghton Lake, and a western extension began from Cadillac to US 31 near Manistee.

Since 1932, segments of M-55 were relocated, notably a more direct route from West Branch eastward in 1938, and a segment from east of Cadillac to M-66 south of Lake City in 1970. The last gravel stretch of M-55 was paved in 1959.

In 1973, M-55 was co-signed with a portion of the newly opened stretch of I-75 from West Branch to slightly east of the M-157 junction, and in 2000, M-55 was signed on a portion of the new US 131 freeway around Cadillac and co-signed with M-115 to the southern side of Lake Cadillac.

External links

• M-55 Endpoint Photos

References