Phase 2 work included rehabilitating the upstream approach walls to guide vessels into the new lock. It will allow the vessels to tie up on the wall and wait their turn to pass through the lock. “The old approach walls in the northern channel were the same age as the Sabin and Davis Locks, more than 100 years old,” said Ryan Berkompas, project engineer. 

Joint venture contractor Kokosing-Alberici built the new eastern portion of the approach walls by constructing 52 coffer cells that were filled and capped with concrete. A total of 4,800 linear feet of walls were rehabilitated, and 62,000 cubic yards of concrete were used. Berkompas said minor electrical work was expected to be addressed through the end of October, with final closing of the contract by the end of November. 

On Track for Completion 

The New Lock at the Soo project remains on track to be completed in 2030. The project is being built in three phases. Phase 1 included deepening the upstream approach to the New Lock from 24 feet to 30 feet deep so modern vessels can approach the New Lock at the Soo and concluded in August 2022, under budget and ahead of schedule.  

Phase 2 is substantially complete, while Phase 3 construction began in late 2022. Phase 3 includes demolishing the existing Sabin Lock, excavation of bedrock, constructing the New Lock at the Soo chamber walls and floor, fabrication and installation of miter gates, installation of mechanical and electrical systems, installation of the innovative hands-free mooring system, rehabilitating downstream approach walls and constructing a new pump well.  

New Contract Awarded 

The Detroit Engineer District recently announced it has awarded the $222.7 million contract Option 3 to Kokosing Alberici Traylor, LLC (KAT) of Westerville, Ohio. The Option 3 award will allow for construction to continue as required to reach the expected completion date. 

Darin White, the technical lead of the Inland Navigation Design Center, said Option 3 will fund construction of the lock floor, installation of mechanical and electrical systems, completion of the filling and emptying system, placing soil in between the New Lock and the old Davis Lock and commissioning of the lock chamber. 

Three more contract options, totaling $95.3 million, will be awarded by the Corps of Engineers over the next year.  

The Soo Locks are situated on the St. Marys River at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and allow vessels to transit the 21-foot elevation change at the St. Marys Falls Canal. More than 88 percent of commodity tonnage through the Soo Locks is restricted by vessel size to the Poe Lock. The New Lock at the Soo is being constructed in the footprint of the Sabin Lock and will be the same size as the Poe Lock.