Interstate 96 is an Interstate Highway that runs for approximately 192 miles (309 km) entirely within Michigan from an interchange with US 31 (BUS US 31) near Norton Shores to I-75 near the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit. From Grand Rapids through Lansing to Detroit, the freeway parallels Grand River Avenue, never straying more than a few miles from it. Grand River Avenue originated as an Indian trail before Michigan statehood, and it was later used as a wagon road and state trunkline. Construction of a freeway along the length of the corridor was proposed in the 1940s, and included as part of the Interstate Highway System in the mid-1950s. This construction was started in 1956 and initially completed across the state to Detroit in 1962. I-96 was completed on November 21, 1977. Since then, additional interchanges and lanes have been added in places to accommodate traffic needs. (more...)