The final phase of construction on a new Soo Lock in Sault St. Marie has officially begun.
The third phase includes demolishing the existing Sabin Lock, constructing a new pump well, and fixing downstream walls.
Trailers and equipment from construction companies have been moved to the new site as crews finalize plans for the coming spring.
Rachel Miller is a supervisory civil engineer with the US Army Corp of Engineers. She said this is a big milestone for the project.
"There has been a great deal of work done to this point, in order to set us up for success for the rest of the project. So even if there hasn't been a whole lot of physical work here on the facility, yet, there has been a great deal of groundwork laid to this point," said Miller.
Although construction for the final phase is on schedule, the future of the project is facing a financial hole of billions of dollars and is waiting for approval from congress in the 2023 budget.
