USACE awards $95m for New Soo Lock project options

The US Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District has awarded a total of $95.3 million for the remaining contract options on phase three of the New Lock at the Soo project in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan.

The options were awarded to the project's main contractor, Kokosing Alberici Traylor (KAT). The award includes $44.9 million for downstream work, $24.2 million for hands-free mooring systems, and $26.2 million for downstream ship arrestors. USACE Detroit District official Kevin McDaniels stated that with this award, "the project continues to be on track for completion in 2030."

The new lock project is the third and final phase of a major upgrade program. Phase one was completed in 2022 and phase two in 2024. KAT was awarded the main phase three contract in July 2022 for $1.07 billion and has completed nearly $600 million worth of work through the end of May 2025.

According to Project Manager Mollie Mahoney, current work involves constructing new concrete lock walls, demolishing the old Sabin Lock, and excavating bedrock. The new lock is being built in the Sabin Lock's footprint and will match the dimensions of the existing Poe Lock.

The Soo Locks allow vessels to transit the 21-foot (6.4-metre) elevation change on the St Marys Falls Canal, but over 88 per cent of commodity tonnage is restricted to the single Poe Lock. The project will construct a second Poe-sized lock. 

A 2015 Department of Homeland Security study estimated a six-month closure of the Poe Lock would cost the US economy $1.1 trillion and result in the loss of eleven million jobs.