Finger joint work done on lift bridge

The Michigan Department of Transportation says that all work on the finger joints attaching the movable portion of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge with the fixed sections is complete. Maintenance continues underneath the deck, and when that is done, the span will be lowered and locked into position for the winter, expected next week.

The Cities of Houghton and Hancock ensure that the lower level is prepped to accept snowmobile traffic. A mat is rolled across the grating, followed by snow being placed on top. The warm stretch earlier this week has degraded trails across the region, but once they are ready for riders again the bridge is the only connector to the rest of the Keweenaw Peninsula.

The two inside lanes will be replaced in mid-January, resulting in brief closures overnight. More work is expected in the springtime, once again with delays in the early morning hours.