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US Route 23 Business in Ann Arbor, Michigan

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US Route 23 Business in Ann Arbor was a corridor established in 1959 over much of the original surface routing of mainline US Route 23.  From Mainline US Route 23 the Business Route follows M-14 over the Huron River, Main Street, Huron Street and Washtenaw Avenue.  The general surface routing was inherited from M-65 and M-17 prior to the establishment of the US Route System in 1926.  Pictured as the blog cover is southbound Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor approaching Huron Street.  




Part 1; the history of US Route 23 in Ann Arbor

The routing now occupied by US Route 23 Business in Ann Arbor was originally part of M-17 and M-65.  M-17 and M-65 were original State Trunklines designated during 1919.  The westbound Trunkline followed Washtenaw Avenue, Huron Street and Jackson Avenue through Ann Arbor.  M-65 entered Ann Arbor via Main Street and terminated at M-17 at Huron Street. 

M-65 and M-17 can be seen intersecting in downtown Ann Arbor on the 1924 Rand McNally Auto Trails Map of Michigan.  


The US Route System was formally established by the American Association of State Highways Officials (AASHO) on November 11, 1926.  Downtown Ann Arbor served as the junction of US Routes 23 and 12.  US Route 23 southbound entered the city following what was M-65 via Main Street and intersected US Route 12 at Beakes Street.  Both highways multiplexed south along Main Street and split at Huron Street.  US Route 12 continued west on Huron Street towards Jackson Avenue whereas US Route 23 continued east to Washtenaw Avenue past Ann Arbor city hall.  US Route 23 continued southeast via Washtenaw Avenue to Ypsilanti.  

US Route 23 and US Route 12 can be seen passing through Ann Arbor on the 1927 Rand McNally Junior Map of Michigan. 


The Michigan State Highway Department submitted an application to the AASHO dated May 4, 1959, requesting numerous changes to the routing of US Route 23.  Included in the request was a submission to relocated US Route 23 onto the then new eastern Ann Arbor bypass freeway and the establishment of a Business Route on the original surface alignment.  The request was approved by the AASHO Executive Committee on June 11, 1959.  







US Route 23 Business can be seen passing through the former mainline surface routing in downtown Ann Arbor on the 1965 United States Geological Survey Map of eastern Ann Arbor.  




Part 2; a drive on US Route 23 Business in Ann Arbor

US Route 23 Business silently follows M-14 west of the US Route 23/M-14 (US Route 23 Exit 45) over the Huron River to Exit 3 onto Main Street.  



US Route 23 Business follows Main Street towards downtown Ann Arbor.  At Kingsley Street/Beakes Street the highway intersects what was the original routing of US Route 12.  



US Route 23 Business continues south on Main Street and makes a left-hand turn onto Huron Street.  US Route 23 Business southbound is multiplexed with Interstate 94 Business along Huron Street and Washtenaw Avenue.  


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