12 Sep 2024

Chamber Lock Operational Option 3 awarded for New Lock at the Soo

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District’s New Lock at the Soo project in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, awards $222.7 million contract Option 3 (Chamber Lock Operational) to Kokosing Alberici Traylor, LLC (KAT) of Westerville, Ohio. The Option 3 award will allow for construction to proceed as required to have a fully functional lock. “Option 3 includes construction of the lock floor, installation of the mechanical and electrical systems, completion of the filling and emptying system, placing soil in between the New Lock and old Davis Lock, and commissioning of the lock chamber,” said Inland Navigation Design Center, New Lock at the Soo Technical Lead Darin White.  With the on-time award of Option 3, the project continues to be on track for completion in 2030.

3 Jul 2023

New Lock at the Soo to host public meeting for upcoming blasting activities

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District and New Lock at the Soo contractor Kokosing Alberici Traylor, LLC (KAT) will host an in-person and virtual public meeting 6 p.m., July 10, 2023, to inform the public of blasting activities needed for project construction. The Corps of Engineers contracted KAT to complete Phase 3 construction of the New Lock at the Soo. This work includes excavation and installation of a shaft and tunnel scheduled for this year. “The project team will blast as the means to fracture the existing bedrock to be excavated and removed,” Rachel Miller, New Lock Contracting Officer’s Representative said. “All blasting will be completed within the Corps of Engineers Soo Locks facility on the island north of the existing decommissioned Sabin Lock.”

22 Jul 2022

New Lock at the Soo Phase 1 construction nears completion

SAULT STE MARIE, Mich.—With only closeout items remaining the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District’s New Lock at the Soo substantially completes its first phase of construction. “We are waiting on final survey results and anticipate they will show the deepened areas as complete, really only have some punch-list type items, groundskeeping and site cleanup remaining,” said project Supervisory Civil Engineer Rachel Miller. Trade West Construction, Inc., of Nevada, a small business, began deepening the upstream channel May 4, 2020. “The New Lock was first authorized in 1986. That’s 36 years ago,” said New Lock at the Soo Chief Mick Awbrey. “It went through a series of changes and reauthorizations, then the Corps of Engineers was able to begin construction in 2020. Reaching substantial completion of this first phase of construction is a monumental milestone!”

2 Jul 2022

Corps of Engineers awards $1.068 billion of the New Lock at the Soo Phase 3 contract

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District anticipates Phase 3 construction will start this summer with the $1.068 billion of the New Lock at the Soo Phase 3 contract award July 1, 2022. Kokosing Alberici Traylor, LLC (KAT), a joint venture headquartered in Westerville, Ohio will begin constructing the largest phase, the new lock chamber and rehabilitation of the downstream approach walls. This contract allows the contractor to begin work. With continued funding, the remaining work, valued at $803.95 million may be awarded over the next three years. Corps of Engineers officials expect Phase 3 construction to take seven years. "The Corps of Engineers looks forward to beginning construction on the new lock chamber later this summer, and we continue to work hard to maintain the pace and continue to make progress toward New Lock at the Soo total project completion in summer 2030,” said New Lock at the Soo Project Manager Mollie Mahoney.

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.”

5 Mar 2020

Corps Detroit District receives almost $88 million in 2020 Work Plan

DETROIT—The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, announces additions to its fiscal year 2020 program based on the recently approved work plan. The additional approximately $88 million will be used in 2020 to repair breakwaters, dredge harbors, complete various projects and studies throughout the Great Lakes and fund initial construction for the New Soo Lock project.

31 Jan 2020

New Lock at the Soo construction award to deepen channel

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, announces that the first phase of construction

12 Mar 2019

New Soo Lock included in President’s Budget request

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, announces that the New Soo Lock project in Sault

29 Nov 2018

Corps Detroit District receives almost $78 million in 2019 Work Plan

DETROIT—The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, announces additions to its fiscal year

21 Nov 2018

New Soo Lock receives $32 million

DETROIT—The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, announces that the New Soo Lock project