Ferndale in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Michigan's First Tri-level Intersection

Photographed by Joel S., June 10, 2010

1. Michigan's First Tri-level Intersection

Inscription. During the 1950s, as Oakland County's population soared, the corner of Eight Mile Road and Woodward Avenue became the most congested crossroad in Michigan. The solution, envisioned in a plan created by Detroit and its surrounding counties in the 1920s, was the Eight Mile-Woodward tri-level intersection. Built in 1956-57, it used two levels for the Woodward Avenue and Eight Mile "superhighways" and one for the local access intersection. Woodward Avenue originated in Augustus B. Woodward's 1805 plan, which had major arteries radiating from Detroit's core. Running north to Pontiac, Woodward separates the east and west sides of Detroit. Eight Mile became the symbolic line separating the city and the suburbs.

Erected 2007 by Michigan Historical Commission - Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number 705.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1805.

Location. 42° 26.822′ N, 83° 7.409′ W. Marker

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is in Ferndale, Michigan, in Oakland County. It is at the intersection of Eight Mile Road (State Highway 102) and Woodward Avenue (State Highway 1), on the right when traveling west on Eight Mile Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ferndale MI 48220, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan

and in Greater Detroit.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bishop's Residence (approx. 0.9 miles away); Ferndale Fun Fact #4 (approx. one mile away); 100 Year Anniversary (approx. 1.1 miles away); Ferndale School (approx. 1.1 miles away); Evangelical Association / Ferndale Fun Fact #3 / Ferndale History (approx. 1.1 miles away); Ferndale Center Building (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Lux Building (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Professional Building (approx. 1.1

State Highway Department Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel S., June 10, 2010

2. State Highway Department Plaque

miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ferndale.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Ferndale Central School (was approx. 1.1 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Marker with intersection in the distance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel S., June 10, 2010

3. Marker with intersection in the distance

Photographed by Joel S., June 10, 2010

4. Michigan's First Tri-level Intersection

Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2010, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 1,489 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 15, 2010, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.