Why Modernizing the Soo Locks is Critical to America's Economy

The continent’s manufacturing industry depends upon steel made from iron ore that passes through the aging locks. Experts say construction of a new lock is vital to ensure the security and reliability of the nation’s economy.

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If the Poe Lock were to fail, nearly 100% of the North American appliance, auto, construction equipment, farm equipment, mining equipment and rail car manufacturing would cease, resulting in a lost of over 11 million jobs.
If the Poe Lock were to fail, nearly 100% of the North American appliance, auto, construction equipment, farm equipment, mining equipment and rail car manufacturing would cease, resulting in a lost of over 11 million jobs.
Larry Karnes, Michigan DOT

The Soo Locks has been an integral player in the United States economy since 1893, allowing for the passage of over 75 million tons of cargo per year. The continent's manufacturing industry depends upon steel made from iron ore that passes through the aging locks and many experts agree construction of a new lock is vital to ensure the security and reliability of the nation’s economy.

Currently, there are two operational locks, both severely in need of maintenance. Each lock operates in both directions and can either raise or lower boats. The size of the boat determines which lock it will use. Boats larger than 730 ft. long and 76 ft. wide are too big for the MacArthur Lock and must use the Poe Lock. 

This means 89% of all traffic uses the Poe Lock leaving no room for redundancy if that lock were to fail. And fail it may as many components have far exceeded design life which is increasing unscheduled outages. 

"If the Poe Lock were to be closed for six to ten months to fully complete the necessary repairs, the impact on the U.S. Economy would be catastrophic," Larry Karnes, freight policy specialist for the Michigan DOT says.

So catastrophic in fact that in 2015, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security completed an analysis of the impact a closure of that magnitude would have on the economy and found that nearly 100% of the North American appliance, auto, construction equipment, farm equipment, mining equipment and rail car manufacturing would cease, resulting in a lost of over 11 million jobs. 

"A closure of the Poe Lock would result in a complete shutdown of the Great Likes steel production," Karnes says. "That would equal a $1.1 trillion decrease in gross domestic product."

Upgrades In The Works

Today, the Soo Locks are operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers who have had Congressional authorization for a new lock since 1986 but progress, and funding, had been stalled for decades until President Trump took an interest following an April 2018 trip to Michigan and lobbying by three Republican lawmakers began. 

The proposed new lock would replace the Davis and Sabin locks that were constructed in 1914 and 1919 respectively, and will provide for redundancy and security. The plan calls for a new 1,200-ft-long lock to mirror the 49-year-old Poe Lock.

The Army Corps of Engineers estimates the new lock will take up to eight years to construct and cost over $922 million, including the $32 million that has already been spent. They have proposed spending over $75.3 million toward upgrading the Soo Locks next year — a significant investment toward the project's long-awaited construction. 

The Army Corps proposed the funding as part of President Donald Trump's request for the budget year starting Oct. 1. 

If Congress appropriated the requested $75.3 million for the project next fiscal year, it would keep the project on track for completion seven to 10 years from whenever construction starts, said Lt. Col. Greg Turner, district engineer for the Army Corps' Detroit District.

The Army Corps last fall allocated an initial $32 million toward the project for design and some pre-construction work,including deepening the upstream channel to accommodate modern vessels along with work on the approach walls to stabilize the existing approach walls and allow for modern vessels to tie up and wait their turn to pass through the new lock.

Design for the approach walls is expected to be complete in late 2019 and the construction contract awarded in summer of 2020. If all goes according to plan, the new lock will be completed and operational in 2027.


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