The project to construct a new Soo Lock has been fully funded as of Wednesday, when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released its Fiscal Year 2022 budget, which included $479 million directed to the new lock.
“In Michigan, we know how vital the Locks are to our economy and our national defense,” Sen. Debbie Stabenow said in a statement. “We also know that we are on borrowed time until something happens that shuts them down.”
The Soo Locks is currently shut down for the winter season for repairs and maintenance. A November update from the Corps estimated completion in 2030 for the new lock.
“The locks are critical to facilitating trade and economic cooperation between our two peninsulas and Great Lakes neighbors,” Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement. “Our federal partners are also bolstering critical Michigan harbors, further shoring up our waterways and enabling businesses to trade goods and supplies more easily.”
This recent funding comes as the Corps receives $22.81 billion in supplemental funding from the recent Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the 2022 Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act.
Another project being funded is the Brandon Road Lock and Dam project.
Set to receive $225 million, the Brandon Road project is an effort to create additional protections for the Great Lakes from the threat of invasive carp.
Aside from the Soo Locks and Brandon Road project, other Great Lakes projects to receive funding include $500,000 to a Great Lakes coastal resiliency study in the eight Great Lakes states as well as $2.1 million for seven dredging projects on lakes Erie and Michigan.
Catch more news on Great Lakes Now:
In Progress: New Soo Lock looks at 2030 completion
Soo Locks to close to marine traffic for winter maintenance
Deal reached on project to protect lakes from invasive fish
Carp Advance: Real and potential impacts of invasive fish throughout the Midwest
Featured image: Poe Lock under repair (Great Lakes Now Episode 1011)
2 Comments
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Is there any update from Corps about awarding the lock construction project? In November you reported it was going to be awarded this month? Thanks. It is going to bring a bunch of workers and $ to the area.
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Thanks for sharing the update.
