Army Corps releases more information about New Soo Locks project
CHIPPEWA COUNTY, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) -- The U.S . Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District has released more details in the New Soo Locks project.
On Tuesday, President Trump signed America's Water Infrastructure Act into law.
Since the act includes authorization for the construction of the new lock, the project can now compete with other construction projects throughout the country for appropriations, or funding.
According to the Corps, the project is authorized to be 100 percent federally funded and will be considered for appropriation in the next funding cycle.
"The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, understands the significance of this critical project," said Lt. Col. Greg Turner, district engineer. "We stand ready to execute the New Soo Lock construction and have already begun taking steps to minimize the time from receipt of funding to project completion."
Officials said the construction at the current cost estimates to $922.4 million, which is updated as part of the New Soo Lock Economic Validation Study that was completed in June.
The Locks are situated on the St. Marys River in Sault Ste. Marie and allow vessels to transit the 21-foot elevation change at the St. Marys Falls.
With the New Soo Lock project, a second Poe-sized lock, which would be 110-feet by 1,200-feet, would be constructed on the site of the existing Davis and Sabin Locks.
The new lock is estimated to take about seven years to construct.
