Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette Motorists crossing the Portage Lake Lift Bridge shown Monday, will experience intermittent lane closures today through Thursday.

HOUGHTON – Motorists will experience intermittent lane closures on the Portage Lake Lift Bridge from now until Thursday, according to Dan Weingarten, communications representative with the Michigan Department of Transportation. Weingarten said MDOT crews began routine bridge washing Monday.

“I believe they’re going to have a reach-all machine, which takes up some space on the bridge deck,” said Weingarten. “We’re going to have to close lanes on different sides while they’re using it.”

Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures from 8:30-11:30 a.m., then again from 1-3 p.m. each day. Weingarten said these will be single lane closures. Crews will not close the entire northbound or southbound side of the bridge at any time.

“We’re asking everybody to slow down and be cautious when they’re crossing the bridge,” he said, “and keep an eye open for those potential lane closures while they’re cleaning the bridge.”

Also this week, lane closures will occur at the intersection of U.S. 41 and MacInnes Drive near the Michigan Tech campus, while MDOT crews make upgrades to traffic signal upgrades. Those lane closures will only occur today Weingarten said, though the upgrade work will continue through Wednesday.

“We expect some lane closures and traffic shifts on Tuesday, beginning around 9 a.m. and that’s expected to last about four or five hours,” Weingarten said. “They’re going to move traffic over into different lanes while they’re doing work at that intersection.”

MDOT crews will install some new traffic signals at a lower level for greater visibility, he said. They will also add new tethers to secure the signals and add backplates that will make the signals more visible.