M-59 Construction History
M-59 Construction History
Roads are more than rocks, asphalt, and concrete painted with a steadfast yellow line. They are a graphic representation of our quality of life, providing essential connections between families and loved ones, work and play, helping to move people, products and services efficiently between where we are and where we want to be.
M-59 is one of Michigan’s most heavily travelled roads in the state. The history of M-59 shows its growth and value to the region from 1919 to today.
| July 1, 1919 | First designated a road between M-10--now Bus US 24 in Pontiac—and M-19—later called US 25, now M-3—in Mt Clemens |
| 1932 | M-59 was moved to follow Hall Road exclusively on the east end |
| 1936 | The west end was extended to the Livingston–Oakland county line |
| 1938 | The extension to US 23 in Hartland was finished |
| 1939 | The east end was extended again along US 25 and over to M-29 in New Baltimore |
| 1947-48 | The east end was rerouted again between Mt. Clemens and New Baltimore over another former alignment of M-29 |
| 1960 | A west extension moved M-59, ending at US 16 in Howell |
| 1961 | The eastern terminus was truncated to M-29 east of US 25/Gratiot Avenue |
| 1963 | The west end was extended with the new BL I-96 in Howell, stopping at the newly opened I-96 freeway |
| 1964 | The east end was rerouted to end at I-94 |
| 1966 | M-59 was converted into a freeway, building the first segment between Pontiac and Rochester |
| 1972 | A second segment opened east to Utica |
| 1984-86 | More roads were converted to a divided highway in Oakland County |
| 1995-97 | The east end was reconstructed and converted to a six- to eight-lane divided highway |
| 1998 | The freeway was extended east to Van Dyke Avenue in Utica. |
| 2010 | MDOT started the process to expand M-59 from two lanes to three in each direction between Crooks Road and Ryan Road, using funding from the Federal stimulus bill of 2009. With this improvement, M-59 is now at least three lanes each way from I-75 to I-94. |
| 2017-2018 | Hall Road reconstructed in two phases: Delco Blvd to Hayes, and Hayes to Romeo Plank roads, including removal of the roadway and laying asphalt, drainage and sewer improvements, install ADA compliant ramps and sidewalks, new signs and signals, and landscaping. Cost: $64 million |
| 2021-2022 | Construction begins in March in two phases: Romeo Plank to east of Elizabeth roads, and east of Elizabeth Road to I-94. The project includes removal and replacement of asphalt road, drainage and sewer improvements, install ADA compliant ramps and sidewalks, preventative maintenance bridge work, new signs signals, and landscaping. Cost $64 million |