This past week, the Portage Lake Lift Bridge was honored as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers. A ceremony was held at Bridgeview Park, where Paul Ajegba, director of the Michigan Department of Transportation called the bridge an engineering marvel.

Two Michigan Tecnological University graduate students, Emma Beachy and Michael Prast were behind getting this recognition after their professor mentioned she had worked to obtain this same award for the Mackinac Bridge. Emma commented that the Portage Lake Lift Bridge is already a local landmark as it connects the two cities, along with being visually striking, so working on obtaining this honor was really special. On both the Hancock and the Houghton side of the Bridge, plaques will be installed, recognizing it as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

This honor was also in conjunction with the annual Bridgefest celebration over the weekend where a variety of events took place including Helicopter rides, which Holly Leivdal and her son took advantage of. The first two shots were snapped by her from their flight. The third photo, with the helicopter passing by one of the bridge towers was taken by Judy Byykkonen.

The last two photos are from Tina MacKenzie who made the replica Bridge float and said there were many challenges along the way, but was so grateful it all came together as envisioned. Neat to see the Lift Bridge on the Lift Bridge like that!

Visit Keweenaw shares a “Sparkling Bridge to Celebrate” as a tribute to this engineering landmark that is the gateway to the Keweenaw.

How exciting! What an honor. So great of
those students to do that. The pictures are
so nice too.

That is incredible. No question there, and that's
some magnificent engineering there!

Oh let me tell you about the helicopter
rides....every 10 minutes the noise went past. I
was thrilled when that got done. In bed when the
fireworks went off. I doubt anyone in here saw
them! LOL

It's so cool to see the Bridgefest celebration each year. It's obvious a lot of work went into building that model.

My friend, my son and I were in town on our way to Isle Royale with his new boat in June of the year 2000. Since he and I are both members of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, the great folks at the local US Coast Guard Station Portage in Dollar Bay were helping us with a few things. It just so happened that evening was Bridgefest and they invited us to assist them with their safety patrol during the fireworks.

It doesn't seem that long ago and it was an honor I will never forget.

My 11 year old son (he's now 33) and the Portage Coast Guard Crew in their brand new 47 foot motor lifeboat:

Great pics & video, really a nice tribute!! That top
pic is just fantastic!!

Traveling from the Detroit area as a young kid, when
you pass over the Houghton bridge; you know you've
finally made it to God's Country!! (Although now, I
feel that way when crossing the Mighty Mac!! lol)

D.A. what a nice story and cool honor for you and
your son!!

Hey, BTW…. I heard you got snow in the Keweenaw today!!


You wish maybe!! lol Good thing there’s no such thing as Climate


Change!! wink wink

As long as we're talking about my Son...
my first grandchild, Rory, is due mid-November.

Congrats Gramps D.A.!!!

Hey, BTW…. I heard you got snow in the Keweenaw today!!


You wish maybe!! lol Good thing there’s no such thing as Climate


Change!! wink wink