ESCANABA — A portion of highway that was badly damaged due to high water was opened to traffic late Monday afternoon.

A portion of US 2 & 41 at a crossing over Portage Creek just west of Escanaba was damaged May 3 by high water caused by heavy rains. The roadway had been closed for repairs since and traffic had been rerouted on a much lengthier detour route.

Michigan Department of Transportation officials had expected repairs to be completed early this week.