HOUGHTON — The Michigan Department of Transportation will be performing routine bridge inspections on the Portage Lake Lift Bridge next month.

These inspections will require intermittent closures from June 2-4, and will help ensure continued safe and reliable operation of the bridge. In conjunction with the inspection work, some test lifts may be done during this time, and those will be performed in the evenings after 7 p.m.

The following closures are scheduled, with the work dependent on weather:

• From 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 to 3 p.m. on June 2, the outside northbound lane of US-41/M-26 will be closed on the bridge

• From 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 to 3 p.m. on June 3, the outside southbound lane of US-41/M-26 will be closed on the bridge

• From 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on June 4, the eastbound M-26 bypass ramp from Hancock to Ripley will be closed, and drivers are encouraged to seek an alternate route. On this day, northbound or southbound right-lane closures of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge may be needed from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., contingent on weather or other delays.