Soo Locks Project Nears Major Milestone with New Lock Construction

The new lock at the Soo has reached 50% completion, marking a major milestone for the $3 billion infrastructure project announced by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This new lock increases resiliency at the Soo Locks facility, which currently relies on the 1969-era Poe Lock for 88% of U.S. domestic iron ore transport. The project involves several components, including the construction of a cofferdam at each end of the lock and the rehabilitation of approach walls.

The project scope includes demolishing the existing Sabin Lock and filling in the existing Davis Lock. The current work focuses on mass concrete placement for the new lock chamber, floor, and pump well. Completing the new lock will require approximately 400,000 cubic yards of concrete.