Peters Applauds Senate Passage of Soo Locks Funding Authorization

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released a statement applauding Senate passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which includes a $922.4 million authorization to build a large replacement lock at the Soo Locks. The authorization follows a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Economic Reevaluation Report released earlier this year at the urging of Senators Peters and Debbie Stabenow that estimates the cost of a replacement lock to be $922.4 million.

“Our national economy depends on the Soo Locks to transport millions of tons of raw goods every year. However, some of the pumps that operate the locks are over 100 years old, and while that’s a testament to the work of the Army Corps of Engineers who have kept the locks operational, it is simply not sustainable for the future.

“I thank Senator Stabenow for her leadership in securing the authorization of full federal funding for a much-needed replacement lock in the Senate WRDA bill, and I was proud to work with her in support of her efforts in the Senate. Now we need the Trump Administration to do its part and include the necessary funding for this essential project in their annual budget request because we cannot build our future on the infrastructure investments our grandparents made in the past.”

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