| Michigan Highway 185 Mile Markers | |
|---|---|
|
Origin |
M-185 |
|
Type |
Mile Markers |
|
Effects |
Enforces speed limits |
|
Downsides |
Disables combustion motor vehicles |
|
Activation |
Reaching 15 mph |
|
Collected by |
Warehouse 13 |
|
Section |
|
|
Date of Collection |
July 28, 2022 |
| [Source] | |
Origin[]
M-185 is a state trunkline highway in the U.S. state of Michigan that circles Mackinac Island, a popular tourist destination on the Lake Huron side of the Straits of Mackinac, along the island's shoreline. A narrow paved road of 8.004 miles (12.881 km), it offers scenic views of the straits that divide the Upper and the Lower peninsulas of Michigan and Lakes Huron and Michigan. It has no connection to any other Michigan state trunkline highways—as it is on an island—and is accessible only by passenger ferry. M-185 passes by several important sites within Mackinac Island State Park, including Fort Mackinac, Arch Rock, British Landing, and Devil's Kitchen. Lake Shore Road carries the highway next to the Lake Huron shoreline, running between the water's edge and woodlands outside the downtown area.
According to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), M-185 is "the only state highway in the nation where motor vehicles are banned". Traffic on it is by foot, on horse, by horse-drawn vehicle, or by bicycle. Restrictions on automobiles date back to 1898, and since the ban, only a few vehicles have been permitted on the island other than the city's emergency vehicles. The highway was built during the first decade of the 20th century by the state and designated as a state highway in 1933. The highway was paved in 1960, and portions were rebuilt to deal with shoreline erosion in the 1980s. Until an accident in 2005, it was the only state highway without any automobile accidents. In 2024, M-185 was the last state highway in Michigan to receive a speed limit. Legislation signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer set a limit of 15 miles per hour (24 km/h) along the highway, noting that some e-bikes could reach speeds of 28 miles per hour (45 km/h).
As a circular highway, M-185 has no specific termini; the generally accepted starting point is at the mile 0 marker placed in front of the Mackinac Island State Park Visitor Center. The highway uses wooden markers to measure miles instead of the common metal signage; these signs are erected by the MISPC, as MDOT does not install the standard state highway reassurance markers along this roadway.
Effects[]
Enforces the legal speed limit within the entirety of the marked route, even when staked at only one end. Nothing on or nearby the path, whether paved or overgrown, will be able to exceed above 15 mph (24kmh) movement. All vehicles using combustion engines are halted fully, requiring a manual push down the pathway. Even makes some electric vehicles stutter or shutdown totally. Will return full speedometer if an emergency occurs during the course.