A repair project at the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie is taking longer than expected. Workers drained the MacArthur Lock two weeks ago to fix a broken gate but then discovered additional problems.
Engineer Kevin Sprague says the lock was built in 1943 and is showing its age.
“Structures start to get fatigued (and) a lot of different issue start to happen. We’re seeing an increase in the amount of maintenance we have to put into these locks every year to keep up with their age.”
Sprague says he hopes repairs will be finished by August 19th.
Michigan’s Congressional delegation has called on the U.S Army Corps of Engineers to expand the Soo Locks.