M-47 (Michigan highway)

M-47
M-47 highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by MDOT
Length:	14.328 mi (23.059 km)
Existed:	c. July 1, 1919 – present
Major junctions
South end:	M-46 near Shields
	M-58 near Saginaw
North end:	US 10 near Midland
Location
Counties:	Saginaw, Bay
Highway system
Michigan State Trunkline Highway System Interstate US State Byways ← M-46 M-48 → ← M-110 M-111 US 112 →

M-47 is a north–south state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan. It runs near Saginaw and Midland in the Tri-Cities area of the Lower Peninsula. The highway runs through suburban and agricultural areas to connect the two cities with the airport in the area. The northernmost section of M-47 runs along a freeway to the terminus at US Highway 10 (US 10). M-47 runs for 14.328 miles (23.059 km), all of which has been listed as a part of the National Highway System.

First designated by July 1, 1919 along a different routing, M-47 was extended several times in both directions through the 1920s and 1930s. Two of these extensions replaced sections of M-111 in the Bay City area. At the apex of its length in the 1950s, M-47 stretched from Webberville in the south to Bay City State Park in the north. Since Interstate 75 (I-75) opened in the Tri-Cities area, the northern section of M-47 was rerouted and truncated as a result of related changes to other highways. The southern end was moved after I-96 opened in the Lansing area. Further changes into the 1970s shortened M-47 more, producing the routing in use today.

M-47 starts at M-46 (Gratiot Road) east of Shields next to the Oakwood Cemetery. M-47 is known as Midland Road as it runs slightly northwest to intersect with M-58 (State Road) in Saginaw Charter Township running parallel to the Tittabawassee River. This area is the western edge of Saginaw's suburbs. Along the road towards Freeland, there are periodic small farms in between small residential subdivisions. In the community of Freeland, M-47 runs near the MBS International Airport off Freeland Road. North of town, M-47 leaves Midland Road and becomes a freeway near Tittabawassee Park. The freeway section of M-47 runs through rural farm land. There is a diamond interchange with Salzburg Road before the terminal interchange at US 10.