M-185 is a state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan that surrounds Mackinac Island, a popular tourist destination on the Mackinac River side of the Huron Strait, along the coastline of the island. The narrow asphalt road is 8.244 miles (12,881 km), offers a strait view separating the Upper and the Lower Michigan peninsula and Lakes Huron and Michigan. No connection to other Michigan state trunkline highways - such as on the island - and accessible only by passenger ferry. The City of Mackinac Island, which shares the jurisdiction of the island with the Mackinac Island State Park Commission (MISPC), called the Main Street highway in an area built in the island's southeast quadrant, and Lake Shore Road elsewhere. M-185 passes several important places in Mackinac Island State Park, including Fort Mackinac, Arch Rock, British Landing, and Devil's Kitchen. Lake Shore Road carries a highway beside the shore of Lake Huron, flowing between the water's edge and the forest just outside the city center.
According to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the M-185 is "the only state highway in a country where motor vehicles are prohibited". Traffic on it is by foot, on a horse, with a horse-drawn vehicle, or by bicycle. The car restrictions date back to the 1890s, and since the ban, only a few vehicles have been allowed on the island other than emergency city vehicles. This highway was built during the first decade of the 20th century by the state and was designated as a state highway in 1933. The highway was paved in the 1950s, and partly rebuilt to deal with coastal erosion in the 1980s. Until 2005, it was the only state highway without a car accident.
Video M-185 (Michigan highway)
Route description
As a circular highway, the M-185 has no specific terminology; the generally accepted starting point is at mile marker 0 placed in front of Mackinac Island State Park Visitor Center. The highway uses wooden markers to measure miles rather than common metal marks; these marks were established by MISPC, as MDOT did not install standard road safety markers along this highway. M-185 is one of three state trunkline highways in Michigan on the islands; the other is the M-134 on Drummond Island and M-154 on Harsens Island. No part of the M-185 is listed on the National Highway System, a highway network of importance to the economy, defense and mobility of the country. More than half a million people travel along the trunkline in a year.
Mackinac Island has been a tourist destination since the late 19th century. This island is the national park of both countries, after Yellowstone, until the land was given to Michigan in 1895 to become the first state park. M-185 has been recognized in the press for its unique role as the only state highway without car traffic in the United States by publications such as Chicago Tribune The Kansas City Star , The Saturday Evening Post , and Toronto Star . and In 2003, it was named "the best scenic drive" in the state by The Detroit News . In 2008, USA Today named this island one of the "10 great places to return your feet to the ground" as a car-free destination, highlighting the unique status of the M-185 in the process. The Paraplegia News magazine, in an article encouraging its readers to visit Mackinac Island, called the trip around the island on the M-185 as a "high priority" for visitors. The trip around the island "gives the opportunity to take pictures at every corner on the road", according to PSA Journal, the official magazine of the American Photographic Society. Along port
The beginning and end of the M-185 are marked at the main crossroads and the Citadel next to the visitor center. The building was operated by MISPC, but was originally a US Coast Guard station. From its starting point, M-185 leads east between Marquette Park, at Fort Mackinac base, and the marina at Haldimand Bay. The road passes through Asrama India (Mackinac Arts Center), as well as various hotels, bed and breakfasts, private residences and landmarks such as the Sainte Anne Catholic Church, Mission Church and Mission Home. Main Street then turns northeast, past Mission Point Resort (former Mackinac College), after which the name of the road turns into Lake Shore Road. Along this section of the trunkline, the Shoreline Trail leaves south and follows the water's edge before returning to M-185 at the city's water filtration center.
Around the island
After rounding Mission Point, M-185 continues north-southwest along the east coast of Mackinac Island, first past Dwightwood Spring, then the Arch Rock view area just outside the 1 mile marker. The next two miles (3.2 km) M-185 is relatively isolated and without a major landmark when it rounds Hennepin Point highway and runs along Voyageur's Bay. In addition to some picnic tables, the only feature between Arch Rock and 3 miles is the Natural Trail of Lake Shore, a short interpretative trail on the inland side of the road. Just above 3 miles, Scott's Shore Road, a gravel road that appears between Lake Shore Road and Scott's Road, departs inland near Point St. Clair. The M-185 is bordered by an interior forest on one side and beaches and rocky beaches on the other side through this area.
MileĆ, 4 is located on Point aux Pins at the northernmost point of the island. Here, the M-185 spins southward, passing through the ship's pier and nature center before coming to the British Landing at an intersection with British Landing Road. This area is a popular stop for tourists cycling or walking the M-185; This is the location where British troops landed during the Battle of Mackinac Island during the War of 1812. Located around the British Landing are various facilities including toilets, picnic tables, and concession halls. The M-185 continues along Maniboajo Bay and passes the 5 mile marker near the Radisson Point.
The next area along the M-185 is also rarely developed as it passes through Griffin Cove. In addition to some new housing developments, the landscape is limited to Brown's Brook, featuring picnic areas and interpretative nature trails, and views of the Mackinac Bridge as a round shaft of both Heriot and Perrot points. Between the markers for miles 6 and 7 is Devil's Kitchen, another popular tourist spot, at Jacker Point. Near mile 7 is the West Bluff Staircase that leads to the cliffs to Pontiac's Lookout. Next, there is a marker to commemorate the scene creation of Somewhere in Time and the view of the Grand Hotel. The 660-foot (200m) front porch of the building is promoted as "the longest in the world". Visible to the east of the hotel is the second Governor's Mansion in Michigan, used as a summer retreat for the state's chief executive. At this point, the M-185 switched back to the more advanced part of the island and the street name for the trunkline changed back to Main Street. Beside the highway, a sidewalk runs from here to the downtown business district.