M-31 (Michigan highway)

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M-31 was a state trunkline in the lower peninsula of Michigan. It served as a connecting route between Saginaw, The Thumb communities, and Port Huron. Originally, M-31 ran from Saginaw to Harbor Beach and was extended southward to Port Huron in 1923. With the coming of the U.S. Highway System in 1926, M-31 was decommissioned in favor of alternate route numbers, presumably to stem possible confusion with the future US 31 that would run on the western side of the state.^[1]

[edit] M-31's "current" alignment

Map of M-31 as it appeared in 1923

The route of M-31 can still be driven today, as mentioned above, with US 31 being commissioned in 1926, the route was renumbered in several segments.

From Saginaw on present day M-81 to 3 miles east of Reese at Bradleyville Road
Bradleyville Road through Gilford to a junction with M-138
Eastward on M-138 through Fairgrove and Akron to a junction with present day M-24
North on M-24 to Unionville and a junction with present day M-25
Northeastward on M-25 through Sebewaing to a junction with current M-142
Eastward on M-142 through Pigeon to Bad Axe and on to Harbor Beach to a junction, again, with current M-25
From Harbor Beach southward to Port Huron following current day M-25 along the eastern shore of The Thumb