• Wednesday-What'sUP October 4 - 03:59 pm

When you live here in the Keweenaw and travel to Houghton on a regular basis, you tend to take the Portage Lake Lift Bridge for granted. That is until you get reminded of it's splendor with a photograph like this one from Robert C. Wetton. Nice capture there RCW, with all the reflecting colors on the canal waters and the darkened clouds hovering above, it makes this well traveled bridge somewhat magical looking. Although at the moment, this beauty is not so fun to cross, with the bridge repairs underway and the detours because of it. You have to allow a little more time to get to your destination across the span and just keep telling yourself, it's only temporary, this too shall pass...hopefully by the October 13th completion date! If you'd like a little more information about the repairs, you can find it here

Been waiting for Mary's explanation of when they painted the bridge. No matter what the color, it's beautiful!

Truly one of the most magnificent bridges to behold. I wonder how many folks ever have given a thought about how this bridge is the only means for people to cross the portage on a daily basis. Just imagine if that vital link became unusable tomorrow. Kind of makes repairs and their associated delays worth while.

I can help Mary out on that one. The bridge was re-painted in 1993/1994 while I was a Techie the first time around. I actually preferred it being green though, but I suppose the state must have got a great deal on blue paint since almost every bridge in the state around that time was painted the same blue (except, of course, for Mackinaw).

I don't know, I think I'd rather have the couple minutes delay in bridge detours. I used to think the delay for the bridge going up was an annoyance until I moved to the big city. After living in Las Vegas and Houston the past 3 years, the couple minutes to wait for the bridge is nothing, and gives you a new perspective on just how short life is to worry about a couple minutes lost :-)

But I thought the underside of the bridge was a bluish color. Now it's white????

It's blue on the live bridge cam. I was wondering when Robert C Wetton's picture was taken.
I love the pictures in Robert's album, especially of the dogs.

JH The picture was taken Sept 15th around 9 am. The sun was so bright I imagine that's the reason the blue faded out a bit!!

Wow, that is a ominous sky over the Lift Bridge! Nice picture, Robert C Wetton.

My Mich Tech son, now 5th student, finally got to do something this summer, that he has wanted to do from the very first time he saw the bridge, in April, before his freshman year: he water skied under the bridge. That was also the first time he got to see Houghton and Hancock, et al, from the water. I had assumed that he had done that part before, but I was wrong.

It is a fascinating boat trip through the canal. And, I now see why the canal limits freighters to 750-feet or less, as negotiating those curves with a long ship would be a daunting task.

Lenb, we broached the subject of the bridge's being a vital link a couple of weeks ago in the What's UP? section. It was an interesting discussion, over a couple of days, so you might want to go back to the archives to read some of it.

The bridge across the Mississippi here in Savanna Illinois is a similar blue. I like it. And I heard the color was suppose to have something to do with the changes related to 9/11? I know the nearby lock and dam isn't as accessiable to the public as it used to be when we took the grandkids there to watch the barges lock thru. Anybody know anything on those lines? The H&H bridge is very impressive. Good morning every one, have a beautiful day.

guess I didn't pay close attention to the picture. Our bridge is a lovely medium blue not cream as the photo. Sorry about the error.

That is a beautiful picture, Robert! Wonderful sharpness, contrast, and reflection!

Thanks, RCW. It is a beautiful picture.

That is a great picture, you can actually see it reflect!

I am fascinated by the clouds. I have watched many storms and cloud formations roll by Quincy Hill from almost the same spot as the picture was taken. It has always amazed me how in the evening you can be north of calumet and have clear skies and when you get back to Houghton/Hancock you have clouds just like the pictures shows.

Or, more often, the sun is shining in Houghton and by
the time you get back to Calumet it is snowing so hard
you can't see the road!

I seem to remember that when the bridge was painted Robin's Egg Blue (Thier name, not mine), they detailed that studies had shown that particular color lasted longer and didn't fade like the previous green. They (MDOT) sort of made a big deal out of it since there were folks unhappy with the new color. Me, I don't care what color it is as long as it works. I got stuck on the island once and had to kill several hours while they tried to get the bridge back down. I'd complain, but I spent the time exploring an old mine site, and it was heavan.

I thought that when I was a kid (1970ish) the bridge was originally grey or silver. Anyone else recall that?

A reminder for you transplanted Yoopers and non-Yooper types. They are currently working on the approaches on both sides of the bridge. There is only one lane open and there are traffic back ups. The Houghton side has been known to back up all the way thru downtown. The Hancock side has been known to back up all the way to Santori's Corner. So if you will be passing thru here, especially in the morning or around quitting time, pack some patience. The work is scheduled to be wrapped up around Oct. 15th.

I recall when the bridge was that color Scott! That seems like many moons ago now and really shows our ages, eh?
I still think the color looks weird here, but I like it. I too, like the clouds above.

HA!!! I received this beautiful picture from Bob, the day he took it! I knew it looked like one I recently received. I have it as my wall paper. Great bridge pic!

Deb S. (Usedtobeayooper):
"I recall when the bridge was that color Scott! That seems like many moons ago now and really shows our ages, eh?"

Shows our ages?

Not as well as being among those that remember crossing the 'ol swing bridge, and the building of the present one!
Click ® Past-E-Mail: Cam Notes - 2007: February: Feb 11-07

Richard - You mentioned about being stuck on the island...
Why is the Keew not considered an island ? Since its surrounded by water on all 4 sides.
Or are there some kind of Island Rules !!

The Keweenaw Peninsula is not considered a true island because part of the waterway was man made and not totally natural. Also remember when the bridge was orange; sorta the same color as the MDOT trucks.

I got the chance to stand way up on top of the left tower where the antenna's are.Went up in the elevator,came down the stairs.What a thrill!

A beautiful shot Bob! The contrasts are wonderful.

A couple of pics in my guest gallery, page 1, "Bridges" Album show the bridge green and grey in 1985 and in 1964 it was all grey!
I remember when it was all orange in the beginning! I have also in my gallery A Detroit Newspaper picture from 1959 when the old swing bridge was still alongside the new one!
Sure remember walking across over the old one when a kid!

My grandfather was one of the engineers who designed this bridge!

And you can definitely be proud of him for helping to design a
bridge to a little piece of heaven!