M-239 (Michigan highway)

M-239 is a north–south state trunkline highway in Berrien County in the extreme southwestern corner of the US state of Michigan connecting State Road 39 (SR 39) in Indiana to Interstate 94 (I-94). The highway was designated in 1963, and it provided the only connection from the southern end of I-94 into Indiana until 1972.

M-239 marker

M-239

M-239 highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by MDOT
Length1.136 mi[1] (1.828 km)
Existed1963[2][3]–present
Major junctions
South end SR 39 south of New Buffalo
North end I-94 near New Buffalo
Location
CountryUnited States
StateMichigan
CountiesBerrien
Highway system
← M-231→ M-247

Route description

As SR 39 crosses into Michigan it becomes M-239. As soon as it crosses the border, the road curves around to the northwest where it continues through a generally rural area. The trunkline intersects Wilson Road and passes next to a commercial development. After a little over a mile (1.8 km), the road comes to its northern terminus at an interchange with I-94 at exit 1. While M-239 officially ends at the interchange, the roadway, known as Harbor Country Drive, continues to the northwest and into New Buffalo, providing access to US Highway 12.[4][5] Like other state highways in Michigan, M-239 is maintained by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). In 2011, the department's traffic surveys showed that on average, 6,231 vehicles used the highway daily.[6] No section of M-239 is listed on the National Highway System,[7] a network of roads important to the country's economy, defense, and mobility.[8]

History

M-239 always ended at I-94, even though Harbor Country Drive continues into New Buffalo. Before completion of the Indiana portion of I-94, the freeway ended at the present exit 1. A 1.1-mile-long (1.8 km) stretch of LaPorte Road[lower-alpha 1] was designated as M-239 in 1963 to carry traffic to SR 39, which connects to the Indiana Toll Road.[2][3] Until 1972, when Indiana constructed their section of I-94, M-239 and SR 39 were the only connection from the southern end of I-94 in Michigan across the state line.[10][11] That year, the highway carried more than 15,000 vehicles a day.[12]

Major intersections

The entire highway is in New Buffalo Township, Berrien County.

mi[1]kmDestinationsNotes
0.0000.000

 SR 39 south to Indiana Toll Road – La Porte		Indiana state line
1.1361.828 I-94 – Detroit, Chicago
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

Notes
  1. LaPorte Road was renamed to Harbor Country Drive in 2009.[9]

References
  1. Michigan Department of Transportation (2021). Next Generation PR Finder (Map). Michigan Department of Transportation. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  2. Michigan State Highway Department (1963). Official Highway Map (Map). [c. 1:918,720]. Lansing: Michigan State Highway Department. § N7. OCLC 12701120. Retrieved October 17, 2019 – via Michigan History Center.
  3. Michigan State Highway Department (1964). Official Highway Map (Map). [c. 1:918,720]. Lansing: Michigan State Highway Department. § N7. OCLC 12701120, 81213707. Retrieved October 17, 2019 – via Michigan History Center.
  4. Michigan Department of Transportation (2012). Pure Michigan: State Transportation Map (Map). c. 1:975,000. Lansing: Michigan Department of Transportation. § N7. OCLC 42778335, 794857350.
  5. Google (July 2, 2012). "Overview Map of M-239" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  6. Bureau of Transportation Planning (2008). "Traffic Monitoring Information System". Michigan Department of Transportation. Retrieved June 30, 2012.
  7. Michigan Department of Transportation (April 23, 2006). National Highway System, Michigan (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Lansing: Michigan Department of Transportation. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 7, 2008.
  8. Natzke, Stefan; Neathery, Mike & Adderly, Kevin (June 20, 2012). "What is the National Highway System?". National Highway System. Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  9. Gudas, Ray (January 31, 2009). "'Gateway' to Area Laporte Road Renamed to Promote Idea of Harbor Country Region". The Herald-Palladium. St. Joseph, MI. Archived from the original on January 15, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  10. Michigan Department of State Highways (1972). Michigan, Great Lake State: Official Highway Map (Map). c. 1:918,720. Lansing: Michigan Department of State Highways. § N7. OCLC 12701120.
  11. Michigan Department of State Highways (1973). Michigan, Great Lake State: Official Highway Map (Map). c. 1:918,720. Lansing: Michigan Department of State Highways. § N7. OCLC 12701120, 81679137. Retrieved October 17, 2019 – via Michigan History Center.
  12. "Just Smidgins of Highways: But They Make It Possible to Get to Important Places". The State Journal. Lansing, Michigan. April 17, 1972. p. B1. Retrieved October 10, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
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