Old M-14 (Wayne County, Michigan)
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OLD M-14 is an unsigned state trunkline in Wayne County, Michigan.
[edit] Old M-14 - Plymouth Road Corridor
In 1956, the portion of US 12 from the west side of Ann Arbor into Detroit was rerouted from surface streets to new stretches of expressways running south of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. The former route of US 12, much of which was known as Plymouth Road, was retained as a trunkline and resigned M-14.
At its initial routing in 1956, M-14 began on Jackson Road west of Ann Arbor, at the junction of U.S. 12. It continued through Ann Arbor, emerging on the northeast side as Plymouth-Ann Arbor Road, through Washtenaw County. As M-14 crossed into Wayne County, it became known as Ann Arbor Road, and followed the southern part of Plymouth Township, forming the south border of the city of Plymouth. Ann Arbor Road continued into Livonia, turning slightly northward to join with Plymouth Road (which spurs westward into the city of Plymouth). Eastward, M-14 continued along Plymouth Road to its eastern terminus at U.S. Highway 16, Grand River Avenue, on Detroit's west side.
In 1964, a northern bypass connecting US 23 with M-153 is completed, and M-14 is rerouted onto the new expressway, still proceeding through Ann Arbor along routes now designated BUS US 23 and BL I-94. The following year, the expressway is extended to its present western terminus at I-94, and M-14 is removed from the business routes and transferred to the expressway.
In 1977, when the Jeffries Freeway (I-96) was completed, M-14 was shortened to have its eastern terminus at I-275 exit 28 in Plymouth Township. The portion of Plymouth Road within the city of Detroit was returned to local control. The portion of Plymouth Road/Ann Arbor Road between I-275 and the city boundary with Redford Township is retained as an unsigned trunkline, maintained by the state to this day.
In 1979, the final segment of the M-14 freeway, between M-153 and I-275 was completed. The former route of M-14 in Washtenaw County along Plymouth-Ann Arbor Road was returned to local control. The portion of Ann Arbor Road from the Wayne County line east to I-275 also became an unsigned state trunkline, also maintained by the state to this day.
Plymouth Road serves as the 3 Mile alignment in Detroit's Mile Road System.
[edit] Relics of Old M-14
Signage along M-39, the Southfield Freeway, still reflects Plymouth Road's former M-14 designation. One overhead sign identifying Plymouth Road as M-14, posted above the service drive, is visible to southbound travellers approaching I-96, and at least one JCT M-14 assembly remains approaching the Plymouth Road intersection. Also, as of June 2005, two M-14 signs remain posted along westbound Plymouth Road in Redford Township.
In Plymouth Township, Ann Arbor Road is no longer directly signed as M-14; however, on Sheldon Road, the approach signs for Ann Arbor Road do bear an M-14 shield. This is a curiosity, as the current signs were erected some time after a major reconstruction project along Sheldon Road in the early 1980s, after the M-14 designation had been transferred from Ann Arbor Road.
