31 Jul 2025

New Lock at the Soo Mega Project Raises the Bar for Success

Members of the New Lock at the Soo Integrated Project Office (IPO) team along with engineers from the Inland Navigation Design Center (INDC) acknowledged a significant milestone within this Detroit District’s high visibility mega project; they’ve completed the review and approval of over 2,600 technical submittals. The average, run-of-the-mill construction project typically sees a couple hundred submittals. Maintaining momentum requires the contractor to provide technical assurances that the execution strategies they intend to employ will meet or exceed contractual requirements and specifications. These assurances, provided in the form of a written submittal (transmittal) offer detailed written and pictorial descriptions and renderings of how the contractor intends to perform various tasks. Articulating these strategies and gaining Corps of Engineers concurrence permits the contractor to proceed without incurring delays, achieve milestones, and invoice the government in a timely manner. This New Lock at the Soo celebrated milestone pales in comparison to the fact that the IPO, INDC, and their contractor may publish and review yet another 3,000 submittals before the first freighter makes its way through the new lock.

6 Jun 2023

Volunteer campers provide extra helping hands to lake staff

The staff at Patoka Lake in Dubois, Indiana, recently welcomed two members of the “family” back, just in time for the busy summer months ahead at the lake. Tim and Margie Carter aren’t paid staff members, instead, they are volunteer campers who help with various tasks to help maintain the property in exchange for being able to park and connect their 38-foot camper there.