U.S. Army Corps Prepares for Phase 3 on the Soo Locks in Spring

Phase 3 work on the new Lock at the Soo Locks has begun. Major equipment is being moved to the site by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contractors, on a barge from Westerville Ohio. While construction on the new lock occurred over the summer, operating the main locks in the St Mary’s River has continued on without delay to shipping traffic. No major work will take place on phase three of the project during the winter, though crews will begin to place trailers and equipment on site in preparation of spring. Phase three of the project includes demolishing the existing Sabin Lock, infilling the Davis Lock, constructing a new pump well, rehabilitating the downstream approach walls, and constructing the new lock at the Soo chamber. The Soo Locks, on the St Mary’s River, have allowed vessels to travel the 21 foot elevation change on the St Mary’s Falls Canal. The new lock at the Soo Project will construct a second 110 foot by 1,200 foot lock on the existing, decommissioned Davis and Sabin Locks site. The Soo Locks are vital to the nation’s shipping infrastructure within the great lakes navigation system.