Emergency Traffic Not Affected By Bridge Closure

Saturday night’s closure of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge may simply be inconvenient if you’re hoping to grab a late night hamburger…but what if you are faced with a real emergency?

With the two closest hospitals both located on the north side of the canal…Houghton Emergency Measures Coordinator Jack Dueweke says steps had to be put in place…just in case.

Dueweke says the contractor will be able to provide access to any emergency vehicles during the closure…beginning at 9pm Saturday and ending at 7am Sunday.

In the event that you find yourself caught on one side of the canal…the Magnuson Hotel Franklin Square Inn in Houghton and Lakeview Manor in Hancock will be providing a warm place to wait until the bridge reopens.

One update on the bridge maintenance schedule…The contractor Zenith Tech says the the four two-hour closures of the bridge which had been slated for Jan. 20, 21, 22 and 23 between 2 and 4 a.m. each morning, will have to be rescheduled.  No word yet on when those will happen.