Capitol Loop facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capitol Loop I-496 (CL I-496), Connector 496 | ||||
| Route information | ||||
| Auxiliary route of I-496 | ||||
| Length | 2.398 mi (3.859 km)
Eastbound length is 2.088 mi (3.360 km)
Westbound length is 2.398 mi (3.859 km) |
|||
| Existed | October 13, 1989–present | |||
| History | Proposed in 1986 | |||
| Major junctions | ||||
| West end |   I-496 / M-99 in Lansing |
|||
 BL I-96 in Lansing |
||||
| East end | I-496 / BL I-96 in Lansing |
|||
| Location | ||||
| Counties: | Ingham | |||
| Highway system | ||||
| Interstate Highway System Main • Auxiliary • Business Michigan State Trunkline Highway System
|
||||
→The Capitol Loop is a special road in Lansing, Michigan. It's part of Michigan's main road system, called the State Trunkline Highway System. This road forms a circle, or "loop," around the downtown area. It helps drivers get to important places like the Michigan State Capitol, where Michigan's laws are made.
The Capitol Loop was created on October 13, 1989. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) sometimes calls it Capitol Loop I-496 or CL I-496. This is similar to how other "Business Loop" highways are named. However, the Capitol Loop has its own unique signs to show its name and number. MDOT also calls it Connector 496 for its own records.
The loop uses a mix of one-way and two-way streets in downtown Lansing. It guides traffic to the State Capitol and other government buildings. Unlike most city streets, the seven streets that make up the Capitol Loop are maintained by the state, not the city.
Contents
History of the Capitol Loop
The idea for the Capitol Loop first came up in 1986. It was part of a plan to make downtown Lansing better.
Early Plans and Street Names
Even before the road was officially opened in 1989, there were discussions about it. Community leaders wanted to rename some city streets to honor Martin Luther King Jr.. These ideas were not accepted at first. Later, one street, Logan Street, was given a second name: Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Eventually, the original name was dropped, and it became known only as Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Downtown Improvements Project
Starting in 1999, meetings were held to discuss rebuilding the streets. This was part of a project to make downtown Lansing more beautiful. The project was delayed because the sewer system under the roads needed to be replaced at the same time.
Businesses in downtown Lansing were concerned about the construction plans. The Lansing City Council even thought about canceling the project because of these concerns. To avoid losing the money already invested, the project was made smaller. It was finished in 2005, three months earlier than planned.
Road Rules and Safety
In 2010, there were more discussions about speed limits on city streets in Michigan. This included the streets that are part of the Capitol Loop. These discussions were about making sure that speed limits followed a state law from 2006. This law aimed to make sure speed limits were fair and clear for drivers.
Images for kids
-
The Hall of Justice is home to the Michigan Supreme Court at the west end of the Capitol Loop.
-
A reassurance marker at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Cedar Street
-
The Michigan State Capitol in Lansing near the Capitol Loop
-
Looking east from the top of the Boji Tower showing construction on the corner of Michigan and Grand avenues
