Birds and bridges: Falcons banded at two Upper Peninsula Sites

Fast facts:

  • A pair of peregrine falcons has successfully nested on the Portage Lake Lift Bridge again this year after completion of a major bridge repair project.
  • Another pair of the endangered falcons successfully nested on the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge, where the birds have been returning for years.
  • The DNR banded four chicks at the Portage Lake Lift Bridge and three at the International Bridge.

June 28, 2016 — It’s been a good season for Upper Peninsula bridges and their resident raptors, with peregrine falcons at the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge successfully hatching three chicks and the Portage Lake Lift Bridge between Houghton and Hancock seeing four hatchlings this spring.

At the Portage Lake Lift Bridge, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) installed two nest boxes in 2012 – one each on the north and south bridge towers. A pair of falcons discovered the nesting site the next spring and has raised a total of 10 chicks there. (more…)

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Traffic alert: Motorists should expect short delays on International Bridge for torch run Wednesday

May 13, 2016 — Motorists on the International Bridge in Sault Ste. Marie should expect brief delays Wednesday evening for the annual international Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics. (more…)

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Petainen named General Manager of International Bridge Administration

Fast facts:


  • Peter M. Petainen has been named the new manager of the International Bridge Authority (IBA) in Sault Ste. Marie.
  • Petainen, 44, who has been the IBA’s chief financial officer for the past 14 years, began his new position on Feb. 28.
  • He becomes the first Canadian to hold the post.

Petainen, Peter (MDOT)March 1, 2016 — Peter M. Petainen has been appointed as the new general manager at the International Bridge Administration (IBA) in Sault Ste. Marie by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). He is succeeding Phil Becker, who retired in January after serving as IBA manager since 2001.

Petainen, 44, who has been guiding the International Bridge’s day-to-day finance and long-term business goals as the IBA’s chief financial officer for the past 14 years, began his new position on Feb. 28.

“In his new role, Peter is responsible for the overall maintenance and operations of the bridge,” MDOT Chief Administrative Officer Laura Mester said. “He’ll also continue to foster the bridge’s already good community relations and customer service, as well as maintain the strong partnerships with the border crossing agencies on the U.S. and Canadian sides.” (more…)

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