Portage Lake Lift Bridge Dedication Ceremony Finally Scheduled

After 2 long years the American Society of Civil Engineers will finally dedicate the Portage Lake Lift Bridge as a national historic engineering landmark. The ceremony is schedule for 10 am on June 17^th, and will be a perfect way to kick off the long awaited return of Bridgefest. Both Hancock and Houghton will receive a plaque to commemorate the bridge’s completion in late 1959, 53 years ago.

The Lift Bridge was recognized back in June of 2019. When the ASCA – Michigan Chapter presented the award for the bridge at their annual conference. The bridge’s MDOT Operation Manager, Ken Filpus, accepted the award then. Portage Lake Lift Bridge was the first to use an intermediate lift span. The lift bridge’s construction implemented many construction advancements made during it’s time. Many of which are still used today, such as the process of bridge sliding.

Bridgefest is set to return to the Copper Country after a hiatus brought on by the Covid pandemic. Bridgefest 2022 will be June 17-19th. There are a wide variety of events, activities, and fun to be had with the festival’s return. And will start with dedicating the Portage Lake Lift Bridge as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.