17 Mar 2022

Soo Locks to open March 25 for 2022 shipping season

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, Soo Area Office will open the Poe Lock, 12:01 a.m., March 25, marking the 2022 Great Lakes shipping season start. The operating season is fixed by federal regulation and driven in part by the feasibility of vessels operating in typical Great Lakes ice conditions. The Poe Lock officially closed January 16 to undergo critical repairs and maintenance during the 10 week-long winter shutdown. Maintenance crews performed a variety of critical tasks on the Poe Lock, including hydraulic steel structure inspections, miter gate bottom girder structural repair and seal replacement, miter gate pintle concrete repairs, valve machinery repairs, and dewatering system maintenance.

19 Jan 2022

Corps of Engineers receiving $561 million from infrastructure bill for Michigan, Great Lakes

DETROIT - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Detroit District is receiving $561 million in fiscal year 2022 of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (DRSAA) funds for work in Michigan and on the Great Lakes. IIJA operations and maintenance funds are allocated one year at a time. More funding across the Great Lakes is likely for fiscal years 23 and 24, but the determination will come at a later time. “The IIJA funding is for major Civil Works mission areas, including navigation, aquatic ecosystem restoration and flood damage reduction,” said Detroit District Deputy District Engineer Kevin McDaniels. “The majority of money the Detroit District is receiving will fund construction of the New Lock at the Soo project.”

13 Jan 2022

Soo Locks closing for seasonal repair, maintenance

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich., - The Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan will close to marine traffic beginning 11:59 p.m. January 15 through 12:01 a.m. March 25 to perform critical maintenance. The operating season is fixed by federal regulation and is driven in part by the feasibility of vessels operating in typical Great Lakes ice conditions. “It is a difficult time in terms of weather to complete this work, but it keeps this important national infrastructure project operating during shipping season,” Soo Area Engineer Kevin Sprague said.

2 Dec 2021

MacArthur Lock closing for seasonal repair, maintenance

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich., - The Soo Locks’ MacArthur Lock will close to marine traffic 7:00 a.m. Dec. 15, 2021 through 12:01 a.m. April 30, 2022 to perform critical maintenance. The Poe Lock will remain open until 11:59 p.m. Jan. 15, 2022 or until commercial traffic ceases, whichever occurs first. The operating season is fixed by federal regulation and is driven in part by vessel operation ability in typical ice conditions. “The 800-foot-long MacArthur Lock, built in 1943, is 78 years old; the maintenance period is critical to keeping the lock in operation during the shipping season,” Maintenance Branch Chief LeighAnn Ryckeghem said.

26 Oct 2021

District recognizes employees in end of year awards ceremony

As the fiscal year concludes and a new year of projects and contracts awaits, it is important to look back and acknowledge the hard-working members of the USACE team. The challenges and adversities of the past year have not slowed down the USACE – Louisville District members in the slightest.

6 Oct 2021

Detroit District invites all to Virtual Visitor Center series

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich., – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District Park Rangers are continuing their popular Virtual Visitor Center series with monthly programs planned through April 2022. “We created the Virtual Visitor Center in May 2020 when our facilities closed due to COVID-19 so we could continue our mission to inform, educate and hopefully entertain the public,” said Chief Park Ranger at the Soo Locks, Michelle Briggs. “These programs helped us reach people who may not be able to visit our sites in person and proved so popular that we have continued offering them.”

30 Sep 2021

Soo Locks Visitor Center temporarily closing

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich., – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is temporarily closing the Soo Locks Visitor Center from Oct. 4, 2021 to Oct. 8, 2021. The Visitor Center will temporarily close to protect the safety of visitors and contractors while repairs are made to the roof and ceiling of the facility.

13 Aug 2021

Soo Locks Visitor Center now requires masks

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich., – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is requiring masks to enter the Soo Locks Visitor Center effective Aug. 13, 2021. Per Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Department of Defense (DoD) requirements the Visitor Center requires masks covering the nose and mouth for all visitors. Corps of Engineers officials also ask guests to help maintain a safe environment by practicing social distancing with those outside their group and not to enter the building if they are feeling ill.

28 May 2021

President’s FY 22 budget includes $595 million for USACE Detroit District

DETROIT - The President’s Budget for fiscal year 2022 includes $6.793 billion in discretionary funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works program, which is the highest annual budget ever proposed for the Army Corps. This includes approximately $595 million set aside for Detroit District projects, including $480 million for the New Lock at the Soo Locks facility in Sault St. Marie, Mich. The Civil Works budget funds the operations and maintenance program, including Great Lakes federal shipping channels and navigation structures within the Detroit District’s area of responsibility across Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. This includes funding for the Soo Locks, in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., which is a critical infrastructure project for the nation. “The Detroit Districts budget reflects a strong commitment to the Great Lakes and our region,” said Detroit District Commander Lt. Col. Scott Katalenich. “We stand ready to deliver the program and continue improving the region's infrastructure. Detroit’s robust mission promotes economic growth, quality of life, environmental health and national security.”

8 May 2021

Soo Locks Visitor Center reopens

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich., – The Detroit District’s Soo Area Office is reopening the Soo Locks Visitor Center in Canal Park 9:00 a.m. May 9. The Detroit District is working diligently to safely open the Visitor Center while following federal and state COVID-19 guidelines. Exhibits are spaced to help visitors observe social distancing while learning more about the Soo Locks and hand sanitizer is available near popular hands-on exhibits. Building occupancy is currently limited to 90 people at a time and masks are required to enter. “We are glad to be able to open the Visitor Center again. Over the past year, we added some exciting new exhibits for visitors to enjoy,” Chief Park Ranger Michelle Briggs said. New exhibits include a Soo Locks virtual tour and a simulator allowing visitors to take the controls of a reproduction 1943 panel of the MacArthur Lock and complete a lockage.