I-73 Proposal: Michigan’s First New Interstate in Over 30 Years

It’s kind of crazy to think it has been more than 30 years since Michigan got a brand-new interstate. The last one was I-69, finished in 1992 when it was extended to Port Huron.

I remember it well because I had just graduated from high school, and that new stretch made it a whole lot easier to cross into Canada. Back then, you could drink at 19, so plenty of us were making the trip.

Michigan Could Be Getting I-73

Well, now there is talk of another one, and it could be a big deal.

According to WNEM, the proposal is for I-73, a highway that would stretch from the Upper Peninsula all the way to South Carolina. So basically, it would take over US-127, running from the UP down to the Ohio border.

This isn't a new concept, it's been floating around for years, pushed by a group called the I-73 Corridor Association. It is back in the spotlight because Ohio is running a survey to figure out if the project is even realistic.

What I-73 Could Mean for Michigan

If this thing ever actually happens, I-73 would totally change the way people get around Mid-Michigan. Right now, US-127 is hit or miss. Some stretches are smooth sailing, then out of nowhere, you’re crawling through spots like St. Johns. Turning it into a full-on interstate would be a game-changer for travel across the state.

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For now, the Michigan Department of Transportation says its focus is on fixing and maintaining the roads we already have. I-73 is not included in any short or long-term planning.

So at this point, the idea of a brand-new interstate in Michigan is still just that, an idea.

Would you like to see this happen?

Every Interstate Highway in Michigan Has Quirks - Here They Are

Roads are intended to get you from here to there. And very few people think about the quirks of our interstate highway system. With being as long and as varied as it is, there is bound to be an oddity or two - and in fact, you can likely find a quirk with every interstate in Michigan. We think we have.

Gallery Credit: Eric Meier

These Michigan Highways Come to a Complete Dead End

Nearly all highways exist to connect you from one place to another. When you come to the end of the road, there's almost always somewhere else to go. Somewhere to turn. But there are parts of Michigan's highway system that don't leave you anywhere else to go - Michigan's dead end state highways.

Gallery Credit: Eric Meier

These Short, Overlooked MIchigan Highways Exist Only to Leave the State

These short, stubby Michigan highways don't go anywhere other than to the state line with either Indiana, Ohio or Wisconsin.

Gallery Credit: Google Maps Street View

Source: I-73: Michigan Might Be Getting a Brand-New Interstate