SPI Insights

Michigan – Funding continues to flow to the planned New Soo Lock project after President Trump signed a spending bill December 20 that included $75.3 million for the $1 billion project.

Parallel locks at the Great Lakes facility are showing signs of age. In August, the only lock that can accommodate larger vessels closed twice for repairs.

The latest phase of the project to be advertised for bid is the rehabilitation of the approach walls upstream of the New Soo Lock. More than $16.5 million in funding capability has been identified in the fiscal year 2020 work plan for this section of the locks which is more than 100 years old.

Project scope for the upstream approach wall includes installation of 2,100 feet of 34-inch diameter SSP cells, 2,400 feet of SSP-faced wall, 800 feet of concrete-faced wall, and new mooring bollards and lighting. The work also will involve stabilization of 1,200 feet of existing wall.

The state of Michigan funded the design, which is currently in progress. The estimated performance period is 24 months.