Interstate 69 connects the cities of Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Lansing, Flint, and Port Huron on a northeasterly direction. The freeway begins at the northeast corner of the Indianapolis Beltway (Interstate 465) and serves Northeastern Indiana. At Fort Wayne, Interstate 69 has its only three-digit "child" route, Interstate 469. Here, Interstate 69 follows the former route of U.S. 27 north to Lansing.
Crossing into Michigan, Interstate 69 heads north into Lansing, with business loops serving communities bypassed along old U.S. 27. Interstate 69 meets Interstate 94 once in south-central Michigan; they will join a few miles prior to their northeastern terminus. At Lansing, Interstate 69 changes directions: A sign heralds that Northbound Interstate 69 becomes Eastbound Interstate 69. Heading almost due east, Interstate 69 crosses Interstate 75 at a nearly 90 degree angle, and then meets Interstate 94 a second time. Interstates 69 and 94 merge at Port Huron to enter Ontario, Canada near Sarnia.
On October 3, 2006, the first segment of new Interstate 69 opened to traffic between U.S. 61 north of Tunica and Interstate 55 north of Hernando. Interchanges on this new section of freeway are at U.S. 61, Mississippi 3, Mississippi 301, Fogg Road, Odom Road, and Interstate 55.5 As a result, Interstate 69 now exists in two sections: the main section north of Indianapolis and the short spur off of Interstate 55 south of Memphis. More on Interstate 69 Mississippi including photos of the first new segment are available here. On May 6, 2008, the Interstate 69 designation was extended north on shared alignments with Interstate 55, Interstate 240, and Interstate 40 through Memphis, Tennessee, after approval by AASHTO.
The existing section of Interstate 69 northeast of Indianapolis largely does not follow any historic U.S. route, with the exception of the stretch between Fort Wayne and Lansing. This stretch was part of former U.S. 27.
History
Interstate 69 was originally planned to extend into downtown Indianapolis, terminating at the northeastern interchange between Interstate 65 and Interstate 70. This connection was never constructed, and the route of Interstate 69 between that interchange and Interstate 465 is now known as Binford Boulevard (former Indiana 37).
In Michigan, the last section of Interstate 69 to open was the section from Charlotte to Lansing in 1992, replacing U.S. 27.4
Future Aspirations
Planned as a 1,250-mile extension southwest to Laredo, Texas, from Indianapolis southwest through Evansville, Memphis, Shreveport, and Houston, Interstate 69 is part of High Priority Corridors 18 and 20. These High Priority Corridors are in turn subdivided into "segments" for ease of reference in various environmental and planning documents. Visit the official Interstate 69 webpage for more on the overall corridor. In addition, for detailed and up-to-date information, visit Chris Lawrence's excellent I-69 Info.com web page.
Texas
The entire corridor is described on the Texas Interstate 69 Corridor Study webpage. Interstate 69 will have three branches so it can serve the border areas near Laredo and near Brownsville. Somewhere near Corpus Christi, the three branches of Interstate 69 will meet:
Laredo via U.S. 59 (Interstate 69) - Segment 30 (Laredo to George West) and Segment 24 (George West to Victoria)
Rio Grande Valley via U.S. 281 (Interstate 69 Central) - Segment 26 (McAllen to Linn in Hidalgo County) and Segment 25 (Linn to George West)
Rio Grande Valley/Brownsville via U.S. 77 (Interstate 69 East) - Segment 23 (Brownsville to Raymondville), Segment 22 (Raymondville to near Robstown/Interstate 37), and Segment 21 (Robstown to Victoria)
From that point near Corpus Christi to Houston, Interstate 69 will directly overlay U.S. 59 (Segment 20, from Victoria to Texas 99). Interstate 69 may either bypass Houston via Texas 99, the Grand Parkway, or it will pass through the city via U.S. 59 (Segment 19). Interstate 69 would then use U.S. 59 to depart Houston to the northeast (Segment 18 - from Texas 99 to Lufkin). Interstate 69 will intersect U.S. 69, a situation that has already resulted in some confusion around Lufkin (where they will meet). From Lufkin, Interstate 69 will angle northeast to Nacogdoches via Segment 17, then continue northeast to Carthage and Panola via Segment 16. Interstate 69 would depart Texas via Segment 16 and connect to Segment 15 in Stonewall, Louisiana.
A spur freeway is proposed follow U.S. 59 north past Carthage to Texarkana, while Interstate 69 will turn east into Louisiana (via Segment 16 - Nacogdoches to Stonewall, Louisiana). No Interstate designation for this spur route (Segment 29) has yet been determined. The spur route would reach its northern terminus at Future Interstate 49 and Interstate 30 in Texarkana.
Louisiana
Interstate 69 will cross into Louisiana from Texas between U.S. 79 and U.S. 84 near Carthage, Texas, between Logansport and Bethany. Heading northeast, Interstate 69 will head toward Shreveport and Bossier City via Louisiana 525 (approximately), then angle roughly toward Haynesville before entering Arkansas via Arkansas 15. It is likely that Interstate 69 will stay south of Shreveport by avoiding Interstate 20 and crossing Interstate 49 south of Shreveport. For more on this segment, visit Segment 15 - Interstate 69 between Stonewall and Haughton and Segment 14 - Interstate 69 from Haughton to El Dorado.
Arkansas
Interstate 69 will enter Arkansas just southwest of El Dorado, parallel to U.S. 63-167. Segment 13 connects El Dorado with McGehee. See I-69 Section 13 General Information for more information and map. While the highway will generally parallel U.S. 63 but will follow a new alignment.
Segment 12 connects McGehee with Benoit, Mississippi. Segment 12 includes a new Mississippi River crossing east of McGehee. Through Arkansas, Interstate 69 is likely to pass through Warren, Monticello, and Dumas, roughly paralleling U.S. 82 and U.S. 165. A connection to Interstate 530 is planned near Monticello (since Interstate 530 is considered part of the Interstate 69 corridor, it has been designated as Segment 28), and this will allow for a variation on the "Dickey Split" so that Interstate 69 has a direct freeway connection to Little Rock. Interstate 69 may also follow portions of U.S. 167, U.S. 63 (old Arkansas 15), and U.S. 278 (old Arkansas 4) between El Dorado and McGehee.
The Great River Bridge is the crossing Interstate 69 will take across the Mississippi River. Planned at Rosedale, Mississippi, as a compromise location between Mississippi and Arkansas, the bridge is being designed as a four-lane Interstate-grade bridge, contingent upon Interstate 69 being constructed to the bridge. After crossing the river, Interstate 69 will turn north along U.S. 61 toward Memphis. The section from U.S. 61 near Tunica to Interstate 55 south of Memphis opened on October 3, 2006; it is signed as Interstate 69 Mississippi.5
Tennessee
Before entering Memphis, the route will split into Interstate 69 through midtown Memphis utilizing sections of Interstate 40, Interstate 240, Interstate 55, and Tennessee 300. This was the path recommended by the Memphis Metropolitan Planning Organization and the City of Memphis. Meanwhile, alternate route Interstate 269 would bypass the city to the east via Mississippi 304 in DeSoto County and Tennessee 385 between Millington and Collierville.
Since Interstate 69 would use existing highways to pass through Memphis (Segment 9), many upgrades to Interstate 55 and Interstate 240 are already planned and underway. These improvements, most of which are currently under construction or planned for between now and 2010 will bring the entire corridor from Hernando, Mississippi, to Millington, Tennessee, to upgraded standards, including widening the route to six to eight lanes. Most of this work, including the construction of a new interchange between Interstate 55/Future Interstate 269 (Mississippi 304) interchange in Hernando, are currently underway or are planned for construction within the next five years (as of late 2004).
Interstate 69 will take Tennessee 300 northwest from Interstate 40 to U.S. 51, then follow one of two potential routes: Alignment A-1 or Alignment A-3. Alignment A-1 heads west then north on a new location along a route that is approximately 15.2 miles in length and crosses the Loosahatchie River. Alignment A-3, on the other hand, remains east of U.S. 51 and avoids the river. A-3 is only slightly longer, approximately 15.3 miles in length. A-1 appears to be preferred by citizens in the area; a final decision on the route is expected in November 2004. At Millington, Interstate 69 will again meet Interstate 269, then continue north parallel to U.S. 51. The freeway may follow one of two alternate alignments (see Segment 8 Map between Millington and Dyersburg, then take over Interstate 155/U.S. 412 north around Dyersburg. From Dyersburg northeast to Union City and South Fulton (see Segment 7 Map), Interstate 69 will follow a new alignment that will connect directly to the Julian M. Carroll Purchase Parkway.3 In addition, the Tennessee 22 freeway is proposed to extend west to meet Interstate 69 and then become a spur route: Interstate 169.
Kentucky
Interstate 69 will continue along U.S. 51 north to the Julian M. Carroll Purchase Parkway connection at Fulton, Kentucky as part of Segment 6 (Fulton north to Eddyville). Interstate 69 will follow the Purchase Parkway until its end at Interstate 24. Between 1991 and 1999, it appeared as if Interstate 69 would be constructed on a new alignment from the parkway terminus northeast to Henderson, Kentucky. However, in May 1999, the state of Kentucky announced that Interstate 69 would follow the existing Wendell Ford/Western Kentucky Parkway and Breathitt/Pennyrile Parkway (Segment 5, from Eddyville to Nortonville, and Nortonville to Henderson). It will then cross the Ohio River to enter Evansville, Indiana (as part of Segment 4, which carries Interstate 69 through Henderson then north into Evansville).
The U.S. 41 bridges that connect Henderson and Evansville are not adequate, and new Ohio River crossing will be built for Interstate 69. The bridge and connections to Interstate 164 on the north and the Breathitt/Pennyrile Parkway to the south will cost $652 million (assuming totaling four miles with approaches over flood plains and lanes of traffic ultimately).2 The Fiscal Year 2002 Transportation Appropriation Bill specifically designated the Purchase Parkway in Kentucky as Interstate 69, thus ending any confusion about the routing Interstate 69 would take in the Bluegrass State.
Once in southwestern Indiana, Interstate 69 would follow (and likely replace) the Interstate 164 spur route out of Evansville to mainline Interstate 64 along Segment 4. Continuing north along new alignment, Interstate 69 would serve the several cities such as Oakland City, Petersburg, Washington, Crane, and Bloomington via controversial Segment 3. Paralleling existing routes, Interstate 69 will follow Indiana 57 from Interstate 64 north to Washington, then turn northeast via a new terrain route to meet Indiana 37 south of Bloomington. After passing through Bloomington, Interstate 69 will follow Indiana 37 north to the Interstate 465 beltway. This routing is known is "Route 3-C." Groundbreaking for the first segment of the Interstate 69 extension to be built in Indiana was held during the week of July 14, 2008, in Gibson County.6 For more on construction updates, visit Interstate 69 from Indianapolis to Evansville.
The routing of Interstate 69 through southwestern Indiana (Segment 3) was the subject of intense debate. Even though a "final" choice was made in early January 2003, it is likely that the preferred routing will see lawsuits and court challenges that may delay or cancel construction of this route. The chosen route drew the ire of environmentalists who saw such much of the new terrain routing to be detrimental to the forests and farmlands of southwestern Indiana. Prior to the final route selection in January 2003, Interstate 69 was proposed to follow one of the following five possible routes:
Interstate 70 to U.S. 41 from Indianapolis to Evansville via Terre Haute
Interstate 70 or Indiana 37 to Indiana 67 to U.S. 41 via Indianapolis, Martinsville, Vincennes, and Evansville
Interstate 70 or Indiana 37 to Indiana 67 to Indiana 57 via Indianapolis, Martinsville, Switz City, and Evansville
Interstate 70 or Indiana 37 to Indiana 67 to connect to Indiana 57 via a new alignment via Indianapolis, Martinsville, Bloomington, Washington, Evansville
Indiana 37 to U.S. 50 to Indiana 57 via Indianapolis, Bloomington, Bedford, Washington, and Evansville
If the chosen routing is not constructed due to opposition, it is possible that the route might be reverted to one of the other four options. Much of the information regarding the Interstate 69 extension in Indiana was researched from The Indianapolis Star.
At Indianapolis, the new Interstate 69 will reconnect with existing Interstate 69, most likely via Interstate 465. There are no plans for a new intra-city Interstate 69 through Indianapolis at this time.
In case you are wondering, Segment 2 refers to Interstate 69/465 cosigned around the southeastern beltway, Segment 1 refers to existing Interstate 69 from Interstate 465 in Indiana northeast to Port Huron, Michigan, and Segment 27 is Interstate 94 from Chicago, Illinois, to Port Huron, Michigan, via Gary, Indiana.
The one mile advisory sign to the end of Interstate 69 complete with the Indianapolis control city. Indiana 37 will follow south on Interstate 465 here. Photo taken 10/16/04.
Interesting that the ITS exit markers are on the side of the mainline freeway as they are here. Photo taken by Brian Dowd (11/29/02).
Interstate 69 southbound sign bridge with a diagram for the junction with Interstate 465 - Exit 0. Going straight? You'll transition to Binford Blvd a surface street that will eventually lead to downtown Indianapolis. Want to stay on the Interstate system? You'll have to choose to go West or South on this northeast point of the Interstate 465 beltway. First photo taken by Brian Dowd (11/29/02); bottom photo taken by AARoads (10/16/04).
Interstate 69 passes under Interstate 465 as it changes into Binford Boulevard. Photo taken 10/16/04.
"Freeway Ends" sign on southbound Interstate 69 as the freeway passes under Interstate 465. Photo taken 10/16/04.
Interstate 69 ends and Binford Boulevard begins at this traffic signal located at 75th Street immediately after the Interstate 465 interchange. From here, Binford Boulevard is a surface street with near-expressway standards southwest into downtown Indianapolis. Photo taken 10/16/04.
Perspective from Transition from Interstate 69 south to Interstate 465 west
After the gore from Interstate 69 (and the Binford Boulevard connection), the split of the ramps to Interstate 465. The southbound ramp will flyover Interstate 69's terminus before leading to Interstate 465. Photo taken by Brian Dowd (11/29/02).
Another ITS ramp marker for the ramp from Interstate 69 southbound to Interstate 465 southbound (although here the sign displays East). Photo taken by Brian Dowd (11/29/02).
The "follow Interstate 465 to" sign for Indiana 37, requiring a 20 mile detour to Harding Street (Exit 4). The state of Indiana often overlaps U.S. and state routes to Interstates to keep from going over their mileage quota for state-maintained roadways. The many overlaps around Indianapolis are a direct result of this cost-cutting method. Photo taken by Brian Dowd (11/29/02).
For traffic transitioning to Binford Boulevard is this warning that the freeway is ending. This was taken while going from Interstate 465 eastbound to Binford Boulevard southbound. Photo taken by Brian Dowd (11/29/02).
Perspective from Binford Boulevard north
North of 71st Street is the first exit sign for the oncoming freeway. Interstate 465 is one mile north of here. Photo taken by Brian Dowd (11/29/02).
The final stoplight of Binford Boulevard, or first stoplight after Interstate 69's terminus, is for 75th Street. Binford Boulevard formerly was S.R. 37 south of Interstate 465 until the grand decommissioning a few years ago. Photo taken by Brian Dowd (11/29/02).
Just shy of the 0 mile-marker for Interstate 69 are these guide signs attached to the flyover ramp from Interstate 69/S.R. 37 southbound to Interstate 465 southbound containing signs for the first two exits of Interstate 69: Interstate 465 east and 82nd Street. Of note here (similar to the surface streets that transition to freeways like S.R. 57 to Interstate 164 at Evansville) is that the first exit for Interstate 465 is not numbered. Photo taken by Brian Dowd (11/29/02).
Perspective from Interstate 69 north
These signs attached to the bridge going under Interstate 465 are for the exit to Interstate 465 west and 82nd Street. To the left is the 0.0 mile-marker representing the northern terminus of Interstate 69. The sign for 82nd Street, unlike the one before it, is missing its exit tab, but does give the neighborhood name of Castleton. Photo taken by Brian Dowd (11/29/02).
Since there is no direct access from Interstate 69 north to Interstate 465 south, INDOT has provided trailblazers for motorists to make their way to Interstate 465 southbound. The Interstate 465 shield here is a rarity as it has the state name within it. Photo taken by Brian Dowd (11/29/02).
First shield assembly for Interstate 69 north and Indiana 37 north. The two routes are multiplexed until Exit 5, where Indiana 37 departs for Noblesville. Photo taken 10/16/04.
Perspective from Interstate 465 north (outer loop)
Interstate 69/Indiana 37 overhead - Exit 37B on Interstate 465 northbound. This is the first in the series of Interstate 69 related signage. Photo taken by Brian Dowd (05/31/02).
A fourth exit-only lane for Interstate 69 northbound is added to Interstate 465 northbound between the time of the May 31, 2002 photographs and November 29, 2002. New signage is installed for the lane that omits exit-only distinctions. Additionally, the Interstate 69 off-ramp is renumbered from Exit 37B to that of just Exit 37. Photo taken by Chris Lokken and Amber Mason (04/07/08).
Interstate 69 north approaches the one-mile overhead on Interstate 465/U.S. 31/421/Indiana 37 northbound. Photos taken by Chris Lokken and Amber Mason (04/07/08) and AARoads (10/16/04).
The upcoming exits sign on Interstate 465 north (located one-half mile before the northbound beginning of Interstate 69) was replaced with an exit-only lane replacement sign. Photos taken by Brian Dowd (05/31/02) and AARoads (10/16/04).
Split of Interstate 465 north from Interstate 69/Indiana 37 north at Exit 37B. When originally conceived, Interstate 69 was proposed to continue southwest into downtown Indianapolis roughly along the former Indiana 37 (now Binford Boulevard) alignment. However, this plan for a freeway connecting downtown with the northeast corner of the beltway was abandoned, both when considered as part of Interstate 69 and when considered as a route separate from Interstate 69 (Interstate 165). First photo taken by Brian Dowd (05/31/02) and second photo taken 10/16/04.
ITS ramp sign for the Exit 37 ramp to Interstate 69 northbound. Photo taken by Brian Dowd (11/29/02).
Perspective from Interstate 465 east (inner loop)
The first three signs alerting drivers to Interstate 69 and Indiana 37 are all centerline guide signs 5, 2.5 and 1 mile(s) in advance. These signs only make appearances in the Indianapolis area on Interstate 465 between Interstate 65 on the Northwestside and Interstate 70 on the Eastside when in Indianapolis, but Indiana also uses them on Interstate 65 and Interstate 80, Interstate 94, and U.S. 6 in Lake County. Unlike these signs on Interstate 465, the signs on Interstate 65 use the route shields instead of being completely text based. This mileage sign is the first to mention of Interstate 69's southern terminus on Interstate 465 east (which of course is silently merged with several U.S. routes). Also on the mileage sign is Keystone Avenue (Indiana 431) one mile away and Allisonville Road three miles away. Photo taken by Chris Lokken and Amber Mason (06/23/08).
Another mileage sign on Interstate 65 east (inner loop): 0.50 mile remains until Allisonville Road, 2.50 miles until Interstate 69's southern terminus and the beginning of Indiana 37 south's overlap with the Indianapolis Beltway, and five miles until the 56th Street and Shadeland Avenue interchange. Photo taken by Chris Lokken and Amber Mason (06/23/08).
A third mileage sign is posted on Interstate 465 east. Only one mile remains until Exits 37A-B, Junction Interstate 69 and Indiana 37. The ensuing two interchanges are 56th Street and Shadeland Avenue (3.5 miles) and Junction U.S. 36 and Indiana 67. (5.5 miles). Photo taken by Chris Lokken and Amber Mason (06/23/08).
The first ramp from Interstate 465/Indianapolis Beltway east connects to Binford Boulevard (Exit 37A), then connects to Exit 37B, Junction Interstate 69 north. Indiana 37 used to continue south past Interstate 69 along what is now known as Binford Boulevard. This section of former state highway had no name when it was decommissioned in the late 1990s; when Indiana 37 was shifted onto the Interstate 465 beltway, the former state route was renamed as Binford Boulevard. However, those plans were eliminated a long time ago. Binford Parkway leads south to Fall Creek Parkway; Indiana 37 previously did not have its own name until it reached Fall Creek Parkway. If Interstate 69 were extended into downtown Indianapolis, the plans were to extend the freeway down Binford Boulevard. For now, this interchange marks the southern terminus of Interstate 69. However, this will change as Interstate 69 is extended southwest to Memphis and Texas. Already a newly constructed section is signed as Interstate 69 in Mississippi south of Memphis. It is unclear how Interstate 69 would be routed in the Indianapolis metropolitan area to reach its southerly extension, but most likely it would use the Interstate 465 beltway. Photo taken by Chris Lokken and Amber Mason (06/23/08).
For traffic headed toward Anderson or Muncie, INDOT recommends you go take Interstate 69 northbound. Exits for both cities are within the first 40 miles of Interstate 69. Photo taken by Chris Lokken and Amber Mason (06/23/08).
Eastbound Interstate 465 reaches Exit 37A, Binford Boulevard (former Indiana 37) south. Approximately one-quarter mile beyond this ramp is the connection to Interstate 69 and Indiana 37 north to Fort Wayne. Photo taken by Chris Lokken and Amber Mason (06/23/08).
Immediately thereafter, eastbound Interstate 465 (inner loop) reaches Exit 37B, Junction Interstate 69 and Indiana 37 north to Fort Wayne. Photo taken by Chris Lokken and Amber Mason (06/23/08).
Perspective from 82nd Street westbound
Signage from westbound 82nd Street (Exit 1 from Interstate 69) for southbound Interstate 69/Indiana 37 to Interstate 465/Indianapolis Circular Freeway. Photo taken 10/16/04.
Orientation Change - Lansing, Michigan
Perspective from Interstate 69 north
Along the Interstate 69/96 overlap, Interstate 69 retains a north/south cardinal direction orientation as displayed in this photograph of reassurance shields for Interstate 96 west and Interstate 69 northbound. Signs are posted in order based upon the level of importance delineated by MDOT. Photo taken by Don Hargraves (11/02).
The first guide sign to refer to Interstate 69 in an east/west capacity is this overhead panel on the overlap northbound for Exit 91, the split of Interstate 69 east from Interstate 96 west. Photo taken by Don Hargraves (11/02).
The northern split between Interstate 96 west and Interstate 69 north (which becomes east). Interstate 96 travels 55 miles to Grand Rapids as Interstate 69 loops to the north of Lansing before turning to the eastnortheast en route to Flint, also 55 miles away from this point. Photo taken by Don Hargraves (11/02).
Reassurance shield for Interstate 69 "North" after it departs from Interstate 96 west. This is an oddity as Interstate 69 is intended to carry east/west cardinal direction banners by this point. Background includes billboards up on the stretch. Photo taken by Don Hargraves (11/02).
Interstate 69 is finally labeled Interstate 69 East, one third mile or so after the merging of the ramp from Interstate 96 eastbound. Originally there was a sign here displaying "North 69 becomes East 69." Photo taken by Don Hargraves (11/02).
Interstate 69 North becomes Interstate 69 East just north of Lansing (sign mentioned in the above write-up). This sign came down by June 11, 2002. Additionally on the section of Interstate 96 westbound that is overlapped with Interstate 69 north, a new slew of signs for Interstate 69 were installed that refer to the freeway as East instead of North. Their are no advisories posted of the change of Interstate 69 westbound to that of southbound. The reassurance shields simply change banners from West to South.1 Photo by Eric Vander Yacht (05/01).
Interstate 69 westbound reassurance shield, posted before the six mile overlap with Interstate 96. Photo taken by Don Hargraves (11/02).
This stretch of roadway and reassurance shield represents the direction change of Interstate 69 from westbound to southbound. Interstate 96 has yet to merge as the eastbound lanes of it are parallel to Interstate 69's westbound lanes at this point. A sign originally was posted here that displayed "Interstate 69 west becomes Interstate 69 south." Photo taken by Don Hargraves (11/02).
Perspective from Interstate 75 south
This picture is taken on the collector/distributor lanes from southbound Interstate 75/U.S. 23 to Exit 117 (Junction Interstate 69 and Miller Road). The traffic on the left side of the concrete divider is Interstate 75 itself. On Interstate 75/U.S. 23 North, Exit 117 is split into A and B exits, with 117A going to Interstate 69, and 117B to Miller Road. This picture illustrates that Interstate 69 is indeed signed east-west between Lansing and Port Huron. Photo by Eric Vander Yacht (05/01); additional information provided by Isaac Wilson IV.
The historic westbound beginning of Interstate 69 at the point where Michigan 21 would have turned into Interstate 69 (Exit 136 now). Crossing bridges are ramps between Interstate 475 and 69. Photo taken by Don Hargraves (11/02).
Perspective from Interstate 69 east
An overpass near the intersection with Interstate 475. First, note where the I-beam marks are -- that's where a sign that had two Michigan 21 signs and the words "Lapeer" and "Port Huron" once hung. Second, the Interstate 475 sign to the right only had the word "Detroit" showing before 1984, as the portion north of Interstate 69 was not completed before 1984. Photo taken by Don Hargraves (11/02).
The historic eastbound ending of Interstate 69 at the point where Interstate 69 would have turned into Michigan 21. Crossing bridges are ramps between Interstate 475 and 69. Photo taken by Don Hargraves (11/02).
Perspective from Interstate 475 south
First sign of the interchange with Interstate 69 (now Exit 6). Until 1984, the sign would have also displayed Michigan 21, and to the left of the height sign was a sign that displayed "highway ends 3/4 mile." Photo taken by Don Hargraves (11/02).
The location where traffic from Interstate 475 south would have exited onto eastbound Interstate 69/Michigan 21 and westbound Michigan 21; now just Interstate 69. Before 1984, Court street would have been known as Michigan 56 and all traffic would have had to exit off at that road.
Interstate 475 north of Court Street was not open until 1984, therefore photos from that direction would be out of context and misleading. Photo taken by Don Hargraves (11/02).
Northern (Eastern) Terminus - International Border/Blue Water Bridge - Port Huron, Michigan
Perspective from Interstate 94 east
Eastbound Interstate 94 at Junction Interstate 69 West and Business Loop I-69 East in Port Huron. Interstates 69 and 94 merge for the final distance toward the Blue Water Bridge. Photo taken by Jim Teresco and Rob Foulis (06/27/01).
Perspective from Interstate 69 east
Traveling east on Interstate 69, the freeway prepares to split at the junction with Interstate 94. The first exit departs to Interstate 94 southwest to Detroit, while the next exit is junction Business Loop I-69. The business route travels east along Oak Street/Griswold Street couplet to Port Huron. The left lane connects Interstate 69 east to its shared alignment with Interstate 94 en route to Sarnia, Ontario. Photo taken by Jeff Morrison (06/25/07).
Perspective from Interstates 69-94 east
The final standalone exit along eastbound Interstates 69 and 94 is Exit 274, Water Street (using the exit numbering for Interstate 94). After this interchange, the freeway approaches its eastern terminus, where the freeway will split between the exit to Canada via the Blue Water Bridge (right lanes) or to Michigan 25 north to Port Austin (left lanes). Photos taken by Jeff Morrison (07/01/07), R. Bruce Telfeyan (07/24/04), and Eric Vander Yacht (05/01).
At the Water Street overpass, the freeway ends in 0.75 mile. Use the left lane to continue north in the United States along Michigan 25 (former U.S. 25, decommissioned in 1972) or east into Canada via the Blue Water Bridge, with connections to Ontario 402 and Sarnia. Photos taken by Jeff Morrison (07/01/07) and R. Bruce Telfeyan (07/24/04).
Eastbound Interstates 69 and 94 reach their joint eastern terminus at this interchange, where the freeway splits between the Blue Water Bridge east and Michigan 25. Note a green rather than yellow sign is used to indicate the termination of the Interstate. Photos by Eric Vander Yacht (05/01), R. Bruce Telfeyan (07/24/04), and Jeff Morrison (06/25/07).
Perspective from Michigan 25/Pine Grove Avenue south
Traveling south on Michigan 25, the signage only points to the bridge to Canada, not Interstate 69-94 east. At Michigan 25's south end is an access road to the bridge. The road that used to be U.S. 25 goes straight ahead; Michigan 25's end was signed a block behind the camera. Photo taken by Jeff Morrison (06/25/07).
Views of the Blue Water Bridge
The transition from Interstate 69-94 eastbound to the Blue Water Bridge is a maximum of three lanes in each direction, with lane signals to regulate flow and traffic control. This picture shows the eastbound transition from Interstate 69-94 onto the bridge. Photo by R. Bruce Telfeyan (07/24/04).
The Blue Water Bridge carries international traffic between the eastern end of Interstates 69 and 94 and the western end of Ontario Route 402. Photo by Eric Vander Yacht (05/01).
Interstates 69 and 94 terminate just prior to crossing the Blue Water Bridge near Port Huron. North of the Blue Water Bridge, there are no other crossings of the Great Lakes until reaching the Mackinac Bridge along Interstate 75 between Mackinaw City and St. Ignace. This is the same image as shown in the previous picture. Photo by John Harmon (02/01).
The Blue Water Bridge connects directly to Ontario 402 and the city of Sarnia. Ontario 402 meets Ontario 401 near London, and Ontario 401 continues northeast toward Toronto and Montreal. Photo by Eric Vander Yacht (05/01).
These photos of the bridge were taken along a concrete walkway adjacent to the St. Clair River just south of the Blue Water Bridge. Photo by Eric Vander Yacht (05/01).
Upon reaching the mid-point of the bridge, this marker indicates the actual boundary between the United States/Michigan and Canada/Ontario. This plaque was placed by the International Boundary Commission, and it is bilingual (English and French). Photo by R. Bruce Telfeyan (07/24/04).
