Sen Peters to Visit the Soo Locks

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) will stop at the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie on THURSDAY, August 8^th at 2:30 PM during his annual motorcycle tour across Michigan.  

As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Peters secured $450 million for the Soo Locks construction project in the Fiscal Year 2025Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, which he helped advance last week. If passed into law, the funding secured in this bill should allow the Army Corps to award construction for Phase 3 (New Lock) of the Soo Locks project, putting it on a path towards timely completion.

The new lock system will be the same size as the existing 55-year-old Poe Lock, the only lock capable of handling the largest vessels that travel through the Great Lakes. The Soo Locks allow ships carrying essential cargo – such as iron ore pellets used to make steel for autos, construction and appliances – to travel between Lake Superior ports and those in the lower Great Lakes. The Soo Locks are vital to both Michigan’s and our national economy. Reports have indicated that if the Poe Lock were to suffer a long closure for any reason, it could lead to a national recession. 

Last week’s funding announcement builds on a $257.4 million federal investment Peters helped secure in Fiscal Year 2024 to support ongoing construction of the new lock.

Peters will be joined by Don Gerrie, Mayor of Sault Ste. Marie, LeighAnn Ryckeghem, Soo Locks Operations Manager, and Linda Hoath, Sault Area Convention and Visitors Bureau to discuss this critical construction project that will strengthen lock operations and benefit the local economy. After a short tour and project briefing, Peters, Gerrie, Ryckeghem, and Hoath will hold press availability.  

Peters – an avid and longtime motorcycle rider – will also be joined by guest riders on his tour. Peters will kick off the tour in Kalamazoo then make stops in Wyoming, Traverse City, Sault Ste. Marie, and Sanford. Peters will ride about 800 miles across the state on this year’s tour.

WHAT:             U.S. Senator Gary Peters to Visit Soo Locks on Annual Motorcycle Tour, Highlight Federal Investment to Fund Construction of New Lock  

WHO:               U.S. Senator Gary Peters
Don Gerrie, Mayor of Sault Ste. Marie 
LeighAnn Ryckeghem, Soo Locks Operations Manager 
Linda Hoath, Sault Area Convention and Visitors Bureau 

WHEN:            Friday, August 8th, 2024 2:30PM 

WHERE:         Soo Locks 
312 W. Portage Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783