Michigan Route 45

Eastern Terminus: I-196 (Exit 75) in the western portion of Grand Rapids

Length: 24.40 miles

Counties: Ottawa, Kent

Routing: M-45, also known as Lake Michigan Dr. for its entire length, begins at US 31 in Agnew, which is located between Holland and Grand Haven.  M-45 is a two-lane rural highway through the 68th Ave. intersection, where it widens out into a four-lane divided highway, and continues as such through Allendale, past Grand Valley State University, and across the Grand River.  East of 24th Ave., the divided highway ends, and M-45 turns into a five-lane roadway (two lanes each way plus a center turn lane) as it heads east into Walker and intersects M-11.  M-45 then heads into Grand Rapids, and briefly becomes a four-lane roadway before coming to an end at I-196.

Links:

• M-45 @ Michigan Highways -- Chris Bessert

• M-45 @ Michigan Highways Ends -- Dan Garnell

From M-45's Western Terminus, the four-lane divided US 31 heads south to Holland, and north to Grand Haven.  Click here for US 31 images.

View of M-45 West at its physical endpoint at US 31.  Given US 31's four-lane divided cross-section through this stretch, all traffic looking to turn onto US 31 from M-45 West must turn onto US 31 North.  To access US 31 South, a Michigan Left Turn is required.

Photographer: Scott Steeves

Date: 4/21/2007

First M-45 East reassurance marker, accompanied by an Emergency US 31 North "uni-sign".  Emergency US 31 is a designation applied to M-45, 68th Ave. and I-96 to provide an alternate for US 31 traffic in cases where the drawbridge that carries US 31 over the Grand River is in the "up" position.

Photographer: Scott Steeves

Date: 4/21/2007

M-45 ENDS shield assembly located in advance of M-45's Western Terminus at US 31.  Note the use of right arrow plates beneath both the US 31 South and US 31 North shields, given the need for a Michigan Left Turn to access US 31 South.

Photographer: Scott Steeves

Date: 4/21/2007