Soo Locks Closed for Maintenance Until Spring

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – The U-S Army Corps of Engineers says the Soo Locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan are now closed to navigation until March 25th.

The Corps uses this downtime for critical maintenance of the lock structures.

The last vessel through the locks early Wednesday morning was the Burns Harbor, a thousand footer that is on its way to Superior for winter lay-up.

More than 4500 vessels, carrying 80 million tons of cargo pass through the locks each shipping season.

District Engineer Lt. Col. Greg Turner says the Soo Locks are vital as the single point of passage for ships between the upper and lower Great Lakes.

Maintaining the current infrastructure and building a new lock is critical to keep the navigation system viable for years to come.