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Update: Portage Lake Lift Bridge test lifts for bridge inspections Oct. 22-23
October 17, 2025
HOUGHTON, Mich. - Crews from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will be performing routine bridge inspections on the Portage Lake Lift Bridge between the cities of Houghton and Hancock beginning Monday, Oct. 20.
In addition to previously announced lane closures, crews will need to conduct multiple test lifts of the bridge Wednesday and Thursday evenings after 7 p.m. These lifts may result in brief delays for vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The lifts are planned to last from 10 to 15 minutes each. Between lifts, traffic will be allowed to clear.
Drivers should expect intermittent single-lane closures on the bridge from Monday, Oct. 20, through Friday, Oct. 24. At least one lane will remain open in each direction at all times.
From 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. nightly Oct. 20-22, the bridge will not lift for vessels while inspections are underway. The bridge will be set at the intermediate position to allow boats not requiring a full opening to pass under the bridge at any time.
The inspections were scheduled for earlier this month but were postponed until next week.
These inspections will help ensure continued safe and reliable operation of the bridge.
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