Michigan Has the World’s Heaviest & Widest Double-Deck Lift Bridge

One unique thing anyone may take for granted whenever visiting the Keweenaw Peninsula is crossing the Portage Lake Lift Bridge that connects the cities of Hancock and Houghton.

The bridge is not just the only land-based link between the north and south Keweenaw peninsula, but also the world's heaviest & widest double-decked lift bridge.

The middle section can be lifted from a four-foot clearance to 100 feet, allowing boats to pass under.

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The original bridge was made of wood way back in 1875. It opened in the spring of 1876 and was replaced in 1895 by a steel swing bridge. In 1905, the steel bridge was crashed into by a ship and damaged; that almost occurred again in 1920 when another ship escaped a bridge accident by dropping anchor just in time.

Another major renovation took place in 1959, when the Portage Canal Swing Bridge was replaced by the version that still stands today.

One last thing: during winter when the lake freezes, the bridge is lowered to its lowest point so the bottom deck can be used by snowmobilers.