HOUGHTON, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will be conducting repairs on the Portage Lake Lift Bridge between Houghton and Hancock next week, requiring southbound lane closures and bridge lifts.
Mechanical and electrical work requiring test lifts will take place on Tuesday, July 26, and Wednesday, July 27. This will require multiple lifts at the top of the hour and the half hour. These may result in brief delays for vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic.
Structural repair work will start on the evening of Wednesday, July 27, and continue July 28. During these repairs, the inside southbound lane will be closed. The lift span will be in the lower position.
The U.S. Coast Guard has authorized MDOT to make temporary changes in the bridge operation rules during this work. Beginning Wednesday, July 27, through Friday morning, July 29, the lift bridge will require a three-hour advance notice for openings between 7 p.m. and 4:30 a.m. Mariners should provide advance notice directly to the bridge operator by calling 906-482-7552.
This schedule is tentative and may be adjusted. This work will help ensure continued safe and reliable operation of the bridge.
