M-28 (Michigan highway)

M-28 marker
M-28
Map
M-28 highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by MDOT
Length290.373 mi[1] (467.310 km)
Existedc. July 1, 1919[2]–present
Tourist
routes
Lake Superior Circle Tour
Major junctions
West end US 2 at Wakefield
Major intersections
East end M-129 near Sault Ste. Marie
Location
CountryUnited States
StateMichigan
CountiesGogebic, Ontonagon, Houghton, Baraga, Marquette, Alger, Schoolcraft, Luce, Chippewa
Highway system
M-27
Bus. M-28
M-177M-178 M-179

M-28 is an east–west state trunkline highway that traverses nearly all of the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan, from Wakefield to near Sault Ste. Marie in Bruce Township. Along with US Highway 2 (US 2), M-28 forms a pair of primary highways linking the Upper Peninsula from end to end, providing a major access route for traffic from Michigan and Canada along the southern shore of Lake Superior. M-28 is the longest state trunkline in Michigan numbered with the "M-" prefix at 290.373 miles (467.310 km). The entire highway is listed on the National Highway System, while three sections of M-28 are part of the Lake Superior Circle Tour. M-28 also carries two memorial highway designations along its route.

Throughout its course across the Upper Peninsula, M-28 passes through forested woodlands, bog swamps, urbanized areas, and along the Lake Superior shoreline. Sections of roadway cross the Ottawa National Forest and both units of the Hiawatha National Forest. Some of the other landmarks accessible from M-28 include the Seney Stretch, Seney National Wildlife Refuge and several historic bridges.

M-28 is an original trunkline designation, dating to the 1919 formation of the state's trunkline system. The original highway was much shorter than the current version. M-28 was expanded eastward to the Sault Ste. Marie area in the late 1920s. The western end has been expanded twice to different locations on the Wisconsin state line. Other changes along the routing have led to the creation of three different business loops at various times, with one still extant. Future changes, proposed by Marquette County but not accepted by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), could see M-28 rerouted over County Road 480 (CR 480).

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference PRFA was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference MSHD19 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).