President Donald Trump Oct. 23 signed a federal spending bill that allows for, among other things, the $922 million authorization for the construction of a new 1,200-foot lock at the Soo Locks.
As part of America’s Infrastructure Act of 2018, two smaller locks at the Soo Locks will be combined to create a large lock that will allow for the passage of freighters in Sault Ste. Marie.
U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Watersmeet), U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Midland) and U.S. Rep. Paul Mitchell (R-Dryden Twp.) brought the issue of the Soo Locks to the President’s attention during Trump’s visit to Michigan back in April.
Moolenaar said that to keep the momentum going, he is asking the U.S. Army Corps to include the design and groundbreaking of a new lock in its work plan for next year. Doing so will allow the process to begin one shipping season sooner and potentially save taxpayers up to $30 million.
“In just one short car ride with President Trump, I expressed how important this project is for Michigan’s First District and the entire Great Lakes region,” Bergman said. “And today, the President officially authorized funding for a new lock. This is a great day for northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.”
The measure also advances research on eradicating invasive species such as the Asian Carp and Zebra Muscles. In addition, it takes aim at resolving toxic algal blooms in the Great Lakes and requires the Environmental Protection Agency to help public water systems monitor for unregulated contaminates, such as PFAS, Bergman said.