How They Made This Record-Breaking Bridge | Portage Lake Bridge, Michigan

[@aleleeinnaleleeinn9110]

you are the Michigan tourism bureau. So many great stories

[@aszilagyi100]

That’s a great idea. The state of Michigan tourism board should be looking at Alexis Dahl!

[@Consonat]

As a presenter, you have a captivating expression on what you're reporting. I'm already 16 minutes in and you have held me as an audience member. I'll help out in any way, I'll give the thumbs up, I'll turn the Bell on. Keep rocking girl ☘️

[@AlexisDahl]

Thank you so much! 💛 I very much appreciate that.

[@whyamiwastingmytimeonthis]

“You may have 206 bones, but not for long”😈

[@aaronnester5132]

Alexis does a really good job on her presentation. I have never felt like she's talking to just bloat her play time. I really appreciate her. @AlexisDahl

[@nes999]

Between Steve Lehto and this Channel i feel like Michigan is quickly becoming a destination vacation.

[@emmittforbush1656]

I can't express how grateful I am for high-quality and entertaining educational content about the area I live in! It's so cool to see that bridge from my office while hearing the stories of it's life! Thank so much Alexis!

[@AlexisDahl]

That's so cool! Thanks, Emmitt!

[@brianhauswirth1348]

As a local truck driver I cross the bridge as many as a dozen times a day. I never get sick of it or watching the Ranger go through.

[@mazecrazy6]

As a current MTU student who is fascinated by the Keweenaw's history, your channel is a -gold- copper mine! Thank you for doing what you do, and keep these awesome videos coming!

[@Rabblewitz]

Enjoy it!! Some of the best years of my life were spent at MTU. 🙂

[@blauer2551]

My grandpa took me back to Sigma Rho for the 100th reunion. He was part of a team that developed the blueing process for metal protection on gun barrels, I believe between WW1 and WW2. It was my introduction to the Keweenaw area. Went to the MTU summer youth program many times.

[@PapaSmurf41697]

I lived in Houghton from 1989 until 1993 while a student at MTU. I crossed that bridge many times. I love your channel with all the science and history of Michigan. Keep up the good work

[@teschvalleyrailroad]

As a Michigan Tech Alum and a "railfan" of Upper Peninsula railroads, I had to have this bridge on my train layout. I took the lift bridge offered by Menards, and painted it to match. Another great history lesson!!! ❤

[@AlexisDahl]

Oh my gosh, that's wonderful. What a fun addition!

[@zorrorides1]

Once again, thanks for the memories. I was a student at MTU starting in 1966. I walked that bridge Southbound at 4:00 AM after a local party. The thermometer in the bridge control room was reading minus 54°F. At least thats what the operator shouted down to us. He was warning us to hurry and get to shelter. (nice guy). We were dressed heavy because it was winter, but not THAT heavy. We did suffer some frostbite, but nothing radical. We were tild in class that the center span of that bridge was 18 inched too long when it was floated in place and they had to torch cut the expansion joints to allow it to be put in place. We toured and studied the whole bridge. It was an amazing feat of engineering and construction. A feat that was compounded by the nearness of the Kewenaw fault and the zero meridian line. Surveying the two ends of the bridge for alignment and elevation and then maintaining their relationship was almost impossible for the surveying technology of the time. I cant tell you how much i enjoy and appreciate your presentations of Kewenaw history, geology, and technology. Our governor should make you the Upper Peninsula Emmisary. You are very good and very appreciated. Please keep it up.

[@stevekline7247]

So awesome! Beautiful history .

[@given0fox968]

My father was there at the same time. First got his mechanical engineering degree, then went back and got his electrical engineering degree after I was born. It’s a special place.

[@dyoung3536]

I think I've learned more about my Upper Michigan homeland from you than in the first 18 years of my life when I lived there. I know you're not from there originally, but the local residents of Upper Michigan are so lucky to have you part of their community. Thank you for helping me stay in touch with my past. PS: My Grandfather worked in some of those Copper Mines back in the day and did some of the stonework you see on the old churches and buildings up there.

[@AlexisDahl]

Thank you so much. That means a lot! (I also feel grateful to get to live up here!) Also, that's too cool about your grandfather. The old buildings in the Keweenaw that I've seen are beautiful!

[@johnsteve900]

Thank You Alexis! My father, grandfather and great-grandfather lived in and loved the U.P. I grew up visiting every summer, learning and loving the land that launched our family in America. I can't get enough of your stories.

[@knavekid]

Seeing your overhead view of the bridge reminded me of an incident that happened when I was a student at MTU in the late '70s / early '80s. A circus tractor-trailer heading north down the hill on Bridge Street lost its brakes and crashed into the railroad structure at high speed where it curved towards the lift bridge. I don't recall the details, but I'm sure there are records of this tragedy. I just remember that the steel of the railroad structure was dented.

[@jamesdluge8053]

Someone I worked with that lived here his entire life told me that exact same story, and others all agreed remembering during a lunch conversation. Would be interesting to see pictures of it

[@frankwilson2607]

I often watch other vlog-ers and voice presenters at 1.25 speed - but not you! Your pace and buoyant style always lift my spirits 🙂

[@AlexisDahl]

Thank you! I've gotten a lot better at pacing over the years, so especially appreciate that.

[@rwdplz1]

Crossed that bridge MANY times when going to Michigan Tech, 13:50 the lanes leading to it on the south side are some of the most dangerous designs ever seen, especially in the winter when you can't see the lane markings, LOTS of close calls.

[@cuddlepaws4423]

Having worked in Engineering, my husband finds this bridge very impressive. The idea of it and how it operates is very simple, however a very impressive amount of engineering has gone into making it simple. JOB DONE and done very well!!! 👍👍👍

[@Al_G]

Down state "the bridge" means Mackinac. In the Keweenaw "the bridge" means the Portage Lake bridge. That always cracked me up when living up there 🤣

[@CrowsAndWasps]

Yes another amazing video about the best state in the country I love Michigan, I can't imagine being born anywhere else

[@hamradiojim6788]

Thanks from the bottom of my civil engineering heart! 🙂

[@samfrancisco8095]

We visited and spent Calumet/Laurium many summers to my Grandmother's house on Hecla in the 60's. from our home in NJ. Weekly, we would take a trip to Houghton to go to the Woolworths and other stores. We would make bets before we left Calumet if the bridge would be up or down due to a ship or train. I never won.

[@jackprier7727]

Appreciate your wild vivid curiosity and enthusiastic alert delivery. The whole blockey-chain part is wonderfully fascinating--

[@benlittleforest]

My mom works at the Carnegie Museum of the Keweenaw and thus I've watched the bridge building video so many times, I'm so happy to see it discussed on your channel. Always love seeing your stuff about the UP's history, and if you've never been to the museum, I highly recommend you check it out!!!

[@MsCriticalthinker201]

At 8:35 further balancing of the weight of the counterweight cables as they move from one side of the pulley to the other is done by the big loopy necklace looking things dangling each side of the counterweights. So clever.

[@kylebennett4434]

I've crossed this bridge hundreds of times during my college career and it's so cool to learn about the history behind all of it

[@benjaminscribner7737]

As always, you're informative and a joy to listen to. I really enjoy learning about your area.

[@AlexisDahl]

Thank you very much! I will always appreciate hearing that. 🙂

[@jaxmarshall291]

Boom! First comment! Fellow Michigander here! Love your videos, keep doing what your doing! My babies love learning from them!

[@AlexisDahl]

Ha ha, well done! 😂 I'm so glad you and your family have been enjoying the videos - that means a lot!

[@Rabblewitz]

Thanks again for the trip down nostalgia lane!! I've been over that bridge many a time ... almost 40 years ago for the last time. Learned a bit about it from your video as well. I do remember those chains, but I never knew what they were for. And as soon as you brought up the picture of the two bridges, I had to bring up Google maps and take a look because I remembered the streets being a bit screwy in that area ... guess I could have waited a few more minutes. And of course part of that loop was because the street through down town Houghton was one way, east to west, while the return street was one block to the south. Made it easy to cross the street. They did build cross walks over the street my final year living there, but we never felt the need to use them.

[@C.Schmidt]

Sometimes you gotta take some time and appreciate a solid piece of infrastructure! And seriously, that shot at 14:23 is GORGEOUS!

[@AlexisDahl]

It's truue. Also, thank you!! I couldn't have asked for better canal conditions that day.

[@C.Schmidt]

​@@AlexisDahlI mean the water just looks like glass. Like a perfect mirror reflection of those clouds!

[@Ice_Karma]

It's pretty incredible what you can do, with a suitably-sized counterweight!

[@thomastoth435]

I've only crossed by snowmobile! Cool info

[@joemartin8888]

I live in northern Minnesota....and this channel has been the gateway to learning about the U.P. as I fall in love with the area with each visit. ❤ Thanks for this amazing work you do!!!

[@kentonb-1]

As a former Michigan Tech student in the late 80s & early 90s, I love seeing these videos! Brings back so many memories. Thanks Alexis!

[@Watusifarm]

I’m an Utah boy and the first time I came to the Keweenaw I was mind blown. So much water and beauty. I would drive out from Utah to come back and 8 years ago I moved my family near Marinette so I could visit all the time. They’ll put my ashes in Lake Superior someday. Love your videos!

[@thebigguy]

I'm a troll (lives below "The Bridge") and enjoy visiting the U.P. Your videos are a delightful way to learn more about your wonderful corner of the world.

[@cedarsavag]

I worked on the lead paint abatement project for this bridge in the late 1990s. I've been over every square inch of it (her). A true gem in the crown of Michigan's infrastructure. Proud to be part of her preservation

[@rjgoniea]

In some of the closeups it almost doesn't look like they've repainted since then.

[@mikeclemence6726]

Excellent documentaries Alexis. I’m an Ontario 🇨🇦 resident who travels through Michigan, and the U.P. every year. I stumbled on your video of the Ore Docks in Marquette which I’ve driven past, looked at, and photographed many times, but didn’t know many details of how it worked. That video took me to your Soo Locks vids, and now here, the one area of the U.P. I’ve never visited (yet). Time to change that in 2025. Keep up the great work. Sincerely, New Subscriber 😊

[@natebarriault3169]

Having gone to tech for a few years, and crossing the lift bridge many of times. It is really cool to see the history and the mechanics behind it! Thank you!

[@davidvanderwood9649]

another interesting subject ! I have been across that bridge several times during the years my grandson attended MTU

[@robertfindley921]

They must have been building this bridge about the same time as the Mackinac bridge. That's a lot for the remote UP! I drove across this bridge last year. I thought it looked very impressive, and oddly out of place in such a remote area. Thanks for explaining!

[@ramblinman4197]

The Mackinac was built from 1954-57 so, yes, they were built at about the same time.

[@Zhenn9413]

Such a great video. Al looked thrilled to be explaining this bridge to someone who appreciated it.

[@johnuhelski8613]

At 6:38 you get a nice view of the COPPER COUNTRY LTD ;a Milwaukee Road train heading north to Calumet, MI. Sadly this line is now gone .... I did get a SOO LINE caboose ride from Houghton to Calumet and return in the early 70's , great memories. NICE VID , BTW !!

[@SleddingLizard]

Being born in Houghton but living in Florida this video really makes me miss home, good job on the video I learned so much about the past of Houghton from this 🤝

[@aszilagyi100]

I just sent a link to your website. To the pure Michigan tourism group.. As on air, talent and writing , I think you guys could do amazing work.

[@aszilagyi100]

This episode is pure gold

[@vintage-jm2fv]

You are a delight to watch/listen to. thx Canada

[@scottboyer2391]

Your passion is palpable and I appreciate it's direction, thank you.

[@jimurrata6785]

I know I had suggested this bridge, but it's amazing the experts and access you get every time! Please keep exploring the UP and all the cool things going on there. Thank You! For your enthusiastic presentation, awesome research and tremendous production quality.

[@craigbenz4835]

The Cut River bridge on U. S. 2 in the eastern U. P. is also interesting. Such a big bridge for such a small river.

[@AlexisDahl]

Oh, man, I agree. I finally stopped to see it last fall, and it's quite the bridge!

[@vickiwaatti1076]

My mother would tell me that when they were making the bridge that there would be underwater divers working and would see logs on the bottom of the canal and then they would see them move and it would scare them. They were sturgeons and norther pikes. She would also talk about the bridge before the one we have now. She would walk across it with her parents and she said that you had to step over missing boards.

[@76Scutter]

LOVE ALL your videos, they are informative and very interesting🙂 Plus I very much enjoy seeing your beautiful face😍😍

[@wilbard6708]

What a great video, been over that bridge a bunch of times, but now that I know a bit about it, I will be in awe of it and the engineering that when into its planning and construction. Thanks once again, also for the info about the Keweenawtimetraveler. Thanks!

[@fieldcroft]

Great video! I was looking for general information on the bridge and was fortunate to come across this fantastic piece of yours. Thank you so much!

[@sierrafoxtrotgolf3638]

Yet ANOTHER great video. Thank you! This and the Aerial Lift Bridge in Duluth intrigue me.

[@sierrafoxtrotgolf3638]

I never considered the weight of the chain, offset the weight of the cables. Hmmm…

[@herebecause]

Infrastructure is cool! I definitely took it for granted when I i was younger 🤓

[@southdennismotorsports]

Yooper Loop is a fantastic descriptor for that tangled mess of roads lol! Another fascinating and captivating video. I love your content!

[@PaulTomblin]

When they built the Brooklyn Bridge, they had the pressurized caissons for digging out the piers as well. They didn't know about The Bends, and they called it "Caisson Disease".

[@AlexisDahl]

Oh, that's fascinating. (Also, yikes.) Thanks for sharing that!

[@darrellwright]

Another great video about the UP. Always fun. Thanks Alexis!

[@MotorCityMike]

Very well done. The original old pics and videos are great.👍

[@jayf8308]

Thanks kiddo! as always you teach me things about our state that I did not know.

[@dancrites453]

Really enjoy your videos. MTU Class of 79. Please keep up the great work. Thank you...

[@bpbaillod]

Excellent job on this well-researched mini-documentary. I really enjoyed it.

[@AlexisDahl]

Thanks, Brendon! I appreciate hearing that!

[@hotrodanimal2733]

Alexis, as usual you have created a comprehensive and entertaining video on some different subject that i might not have been looking for but appreciate finding and learning about because of you. I am a resident of Stevensville Mi ,and lived in Vandercook Lake until I was in JR high.....I have always loved the U P but dont often get a chance to get up there. A few years ago i rediscovered a love for mountain biking, so naturally i have become very interested tin The Keweenaw . So any insights you may have into the current and past Mountain Biking scene around there would be interresting..... who knows you might find a new hobby... thanks for all the great informative videos you produce.

[@bobdelai793]

Alexis, you are Michigan treasure! I enjoy your videos, and you make the subject matter and history a joy to learn. Thank you!😎

[@jameslowrie8751]

What an interesting show you have. Thank you.

[@jimcurtis569]

Another great video. You're best off calling the water the Portage Waterway. A lot of it, including where the bridge is located, is technically Portage Lake. There is a canal at North Entry. There was only swampy land there originally. On the other end originally was just the meandering Portage River. A canal was dug there to straighten the waterway and make it deeper.

[@spamllama]

Nice animations of the bridge! Another great video! Thanks for all you do!

[@seekayaker]

I love your videos and always look forward to the next one and this is no exception! I have been over that bridge many times but last summer I kayaked under it in the middle of my 250 mile kayak camping trip. As I approached it a horn sounded and I heard mechanical noises so I waited and it started lifting. I think they seriously overestimated the clearance my kayak needed as the bridge lifted to 100 ft. I guess that worked in favor of the sailboat which went under the bridge after me.

[@PacoOtis]

Excellently scripted and presented and your camera person did a great job! Carry on!

[@brianbarnum48414]

Great video as usual!

[@curtisblake261]

Impressive graphics animations and close-up videos of how the bridge works. Great job. Thank you!

[@timdyersr4372]

Great video alexis. Thank you for the history trip. 😊

[@zacharyliles8657]

Another fantastic video Alexis! Thank you for sharing so many incredible stories about our great state

[@The1jonnyz]

What an interesting bridge. Thanks for the awesome video! I always look forward to your work, I learn something new every time!

[@donyoung6463]

A family friend works for the state maintaining and repairing lift/draw bridges, he really likes this bridge in peticular, he says its an amazing piece of engeneering.

[@curiousfirely]

Thanks for another great video! This gets me thinking, I would love a map of all the places you've talked about. And: you found it and delivered! Thank you!

[@AlexisDahl]

Ha ha, well, thank you! There are a lot of areas of Michigan I haven't touched yet, but someday, I also love the idea of doing a full illustrated map showing different interesting stories around the state.

[@sheilafranklin186]

Another fascinating video, Alexis. Thank you for sharing this interesting history with us all.

[@AlexisDahl]

Thank you, Sheila!

[@nancyaustin9516]

My favorite memory of the bridge is one time (late 1990s maybe…) when my son, husband and I were in Houghton to go to Isle Royale. We were staying at a motel near the lift bridge (the Downtowner?) when a daft dumptruck driver forgot to lower the dumper before crossing-I think he was going north across the bridge. He got jammed in the bridge and somehow that resulted in screwing up traffic AND knocking out power in Houghton for hours! It still makes me laugh to think about it.

[@Mongster83]

Love this video, makes me want to go back to Houghton soon

[@CheapDrumsGuy]

Great video and story! You do our State proud!

[@timtom7097]

Thank you for this presentation. This is amazing! I love clever technology.

[@AlexisDahl]

Thank you so much! You and me both. 🙂

[@kennethmoore324]

For those not familiar with the term "yooper". It refers to the distinction between those that live in the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan. Those that are from the upper peninsula of our state, referred to commonly as the U.P. (yoo-p) will proudly proclaim that they are "Yoopers".

[@honolulublues5548]

And Yoopers refer to anybody from the lower peninsula as trolls, because they live under the bridge meaning the Mackinac Bridge.

[@Mike-126]

Your videos are always very informative. I appreciate what you do and I love to learn more about Michigan. Thank you!

[@chadportenga7858]

Having spent 2 1/2 years at Tech and transited that bridge many, many times, it was so interesting to see the history of the bridge and its two prior "cousins" (and all the mishaps). Your love of nature, science, history, and Michigan (especially the UP) show in your presentation. You've got a playful yet informative approach and are fun to watch. (You'd make a great teacher or lecturer - if classrooms aren't your thing!)

[@nooneknows6060]

Nicely done

[@Listeningtomuzak]

Very impressive presentation! Thank you for sharing this engineering marvel

[@mikemcnamee6030]

Thank you for presenting your state in such a cool way. Your videos are just so good. I left a 20 year hobby in reefkeeping and just bought a sailboat on lake erie. I named it Devonian 😊. Looking forward to exploring Michigan this summer!

[@ard1choke]

Another Tech alum here, I love seeing your videos on the area. This bridge has a permenant place in my heart. Thanks for the wonderful and informative video about it.

[@AlexisDahl]

It was a joy to make! So glad you enjoyed it.

[@TheRandyGr]

Yeah for story time!!!

[@ryanthescion]

perfect thing to watch for bridge fest

[@dougalexander7204]

Fascinating. Thank you.

[@1DRTYBSTRD]

Been over that bridge many times to go atv'ing. We usually stayed at Lake shore cottages. Been through the quincy mine tour and all over keweenaw.

[@WilliamEricStone]

There a a few famous bridges in the UP. There is of course the Mighty Mac. And then there is The Bridge that anyone from Ontonagon, Houghton, Baraga, or Keweenaw county would be more familiar with...And that would be the lift bridge. Just making it through the convoluted interchanges to get on the bridge makes one a yooper. I love The Keweenaw!

[@timitwist232]

i’ve lived from ironwood to sault ste. marie and have called marquette home for almost two decades and am blown away by your content. you’re very engaging and although i feel i know a decent amount about the UP, what knowledge i have certainly doesn’t go quite so deep as what you present!

[@rossrossier935]

Great history, Thanx Alexis!!!

[@kenmrock9334]

Another great video. Thanks.

[@TeagueChrystie]

Great exploration. Lovely bridge. Awesome accent on that one guy.

[@lakemi4665]

Excellent, thanks AD

[@mrclaus859]

Thanks for posting. Fantastic.

[@robertwazniak9495]

I have always been interested in bridges ( probably the reason I became an engineer) and upon seeing this one a long time ago, I was fascinated by its history. You added to that information for me with the human element. I have watched your channel and every time I do you keep outdoing your previous efforts. I can’t wait to see what you do next. By the way… there is another historic highway bridge on M26 in Eagle River in the Keweenaw … it is now a pedestrian bridge with a view of a laminated wooden arch bridge that replaced it only 20 or so years ago.

[@erbrock1]

Nice video. As an engineer it's always interesting to see how a problem gets solved. Plus your presentation was well done. Thank you for doing that.

[@jamesrich8463]

It was nice to see another life bridge. I live in Duluth, MN and we have the lift bridge down in canal park off lake superior to get out to park point.

[@carenmaneikis7473]

Fascinating! Love your presentation and information shared in this video about one of my favorite bridges! Thanks so much!