US-41 Houghton improvements to start Sept. 8

HOUGHTON, Mich. - ­The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the City of Houghton are investing about $416,000 in improvements on southbound US-41 (Montezuma Avenue), Bridge Street and Quincy Street to support the future Portage Lake Lift Bridge project. A left-turn lane will be built on Montezuma Avenue, and Bridge and Quincy streets will be repaved. A temporary signal is planned to be installed later at the Quincy Street/northbound US-41 (Shelden Avenue) intersection prior to the start of the bridge work. Once the signal is installed, traffic will be routed from Montezuma Avenue to Shelden Avenue via Bridge and Quincy streets to help with congestion during various phases of the lift bridge project.

County:
Houghton

Highway:
US-41 (Montezuma Avenue)

Closest community:
Houghton

Tentative start date:
Monday, Sept. 8, 2026

Estimated end date:
Friday, Oct. 2, 2026

Traffic restrictions:
Motorists should expect lane shifts and a single-lane closure on Montezuma Avenue. Quincy Street is planned to be closed from US-41/Shelden Avenue to the parking decks from Monday, Sept. 21, through Wednesday, Sept. 23. Bridge Street will be closed from the parking decks to Montezuma Avenue for the duration of the project. All dates are weather dependent.

Jobs numbers:
Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support four jobs.

Safety benefit:
This work will reduce congestion during the upcoming bridge project and create a safer driving environment.