HOUGHTON — Contractors for the Michigan Department of Transportation will replace fiber optic communications cable connectors on the Portage Lake Lift Bridge between Houghton and Hancock Nov. 3-10.

While traffic on U.S.41/M-26 over the bridge will not be significantly impacted, the bridge must be fixed in its intermediate position and will not be operational during the cable work. Highway traffic and small watercraft traffic will not be impeded, but the bridge will be unable to lift for taller watercraft.

Following the work, there will be a series of 15-minute test lifts of the bridge scheduled for after 7 each evening. Lift closures will affect vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic.