UPHS – Portage Parking Lot Construction Slated to Begin July 29
July 25, 2024
Construction on the UP Health System – Portage (UPHS – Portage) main entrance patient loading/unloading loop is slated to begin Monday, July 29.
The work will be done in two phases, with half of the loop being closed off at a time, allowing for continuous access to the main entrance throughout the project.
The perimeter of the loop will be extended, allowing room for eight handicapped parking spaces as well as two spaces for local transit vehicles and two spaces for customers of the Apothecary. The pavement will also be heated, greatly reducing the risk of slips and falls for some of the hospital's most vulnerable patients.
"Our goal is to create a more effective and efficient entry point for our patients and transportation service providers," said Facilities Director Glenn Patrick. "We're excited to kick off this project that we believe will further improve patient safety and satisfaction."
Hospital/clinic patients: The hospital's main entrance will remain accessible throughout the project. Patients and visitors may also park near and access the building through alternative entrances. Additionally, there will be a designated temporary parking space for transit vehicle patient loading/unloading at the Emergency Department entrance at the back (left) of the facility. Dialysis patients are encouraged to park in the reserved spaces near the rehabilitation entrance, located at the back (right) of the facility, which leads to accessible elevators near the cafeteria.
Local municipal transit and nursing home transport organizations are being notified of the changes to patient loading/unloading zones. Throughout the project, buses and vans will have to enter and exit from the same side of the main entrance loop or at the end of the loop if reversing out is not accessible at the time.
Apothecary customers: Temporary parking for the Apothecary has been established just outside the main loop in the first row of the parking lot and will be marked by signage. Additionally, our staff in the Apothecary are offering delivery of medications to patients' vehicles in the parking lot. If you are picking up a prescription and are unable to walk through the construction or find a close parking spot, please call the Apothecary at 906.483.1919 and share the make and model of your vehicle, along with the approximate area you are parked, and they will provide delivery.
The main loop/entrance construction project has an anticipated completion date in the fall of this year. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we make these upgrades to our facility and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. In addition, we're excited to share that in 2025, construction will expand to the north parking lot, which will be milled and paved to create 70 additional parking spaces. We'll provide updates throughout the project on our social media pages.