HOUGHTON, Mich. (WJMN) – The Portage Lake Lift Bridge between Houghton and Hancock will be closed temporarily between March 7-9 for work with contractors from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).
Multiple test lifts are scheduled between 10 p.m. Monday, March 7, and 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 8, and again from 10 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, and 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 9, to allow crews to test the bridge’s recently installed new motors. These closures are planned to last for approximately 10 minutes each and will result in delays for vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic. Between closures, traffic will be allowed to clear.
The snowmobile trail on the lower deck of the lift bridge will be temporarily closed from 7 a.m. to noon on Monday, March 7, while snow is removed in preparation for the test lifts. The trail will also be closed between 10 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. each night while test lifts are being performed.
The work is weather dependent; the schedule is tentative and may be adjusted.
This work is part of the ongoing repair project to help ensure continued safe and reliable operation of the bridge.
