4 minute read
Modernizing the Great Lakes: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Advances Soo Locks Infrastructure
from America's Engineers: The People, Programs, and Projects of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers '24-'25
BY GREAT LAKES AND OHIO RIVER DIVISION
For more than a century, steel has been the backbone of American industry and national defense, and much of that backbone passes through the Soo Locks in Michigan’s St. Marys River, connecting Lake Superior to the lower Great Lakes. These locks, historically vital to Indigenous Ojibwe communities and later to the burgeoning U.S. steel industry, have seen continuous growth to accommodate increasing trade demands. Today, the Soo Locks remain a critical junction for the nation’s iron ore and grain shipments, with 95% of America’s iron ore, essential for steel production, passing through these locks.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been responsible for the Soo Locks since 1881, and as ships grew larger, so did the locks. The current Poe Lock, completed in 1968, now handles 88% of the iron ore cargo due to its size, making it critical infrastructure for the nation’s economy. In any given year, the Soo Locks see more than 7,000 vessel passages carrying 80 million metric tons of cargo. The Great Lakes Navigation System saves $3.9 billion per year over the next least costly mode of transportation.
advertisement
Major New Lock at the Soo construction began in 2020 with the first phase of construction. Scheduled for completion in 2030, the new lock will provide much-needed resiliency to the aging system. “While the process of locking a ship through chambers is old, the Corps of Engineers is taking advantage of new and innovative manufacturing processes and materials to ensure quality components and value for the American taxpayer,” noted a Corps of Engineers spokesperson. These innovations include 3-D additive manufacturing for complex components, which are more reliable, replaceable, and cost-effective.
The $3 billion project is being executed in three phases. Phase 1, deepening the upstream approach channel, was completed in August 2022. Phase 2, focusing on rehabilitating the upstream approach walls, was substantially complete this summer. This phase will also enable vessels to moor along the walls as they approach the new lock. Phase 3, the most extensive, includes demolishing the decommissioned Sabin Lock, constructing the new lock chamber, and installing advanced mechanical and electrical systems, including an innovative hands-free mooring system. The base contract for Phase 3 was awarded in 2022 and is on track for completion by 2030.
The new lock is designed to mirror the existing Poe Lock, but with modern enhancements. One of the key innovations is the hands-free mooring units, which use vacuum pads to secure ships in place, adjusting as the lock’s water level changes. This system is a significant safety upgrade over the current line-handling method.
advertiser
The Corps of Engineers latest regional economic modeling estimates that the new lock will support more than 1,200 jobs annually during peak construction. Additionally, the project prioritizes using American-made and -mined products, further boosting the national economy. Upon completion, this modernization project will ensure that the Soo Locks continue to play a pivotal role in American industry and national defense, providing reliable and efficient navigation through the Great Lakes for decades to come. AE
