A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for June 30 to celebrate the completion of an over 6-million dollar update to the Poe Lock. That’s the largest lock along the St. Mary’s River in Sault Ste. Marie.
The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers replaced the aging anchorages on the Poe Lock gates.
Beverley McCreedy is with the Soo Locks officeof the Army Corp of Engineers.
“Our structural engineers evaluated those frames about four years ago and determined that they are overstressed.,” she said. “So we have been working toward getting those replaced with a new set of frames that are embedded in the concrete.”
McCreedy said the Poe Lock gates were operational in February.
“As a fifty year old structure it obviously has needs for maintenance just as things age and need to be worn out. We do as much maintenance as we can during our annual shut down season which is ten weeks during January, February, and March.”
The ribbon cutting will coincide with Engineers Day. People can tour ships and locks during the event.
The event will begin at 8:15 a.m. at the Soo Locks park.