Transportation & Infrastructure
Michigan’s infrastructure – from the airports and waterways to rails and roads – fuels our economic development and is vital to our growth. Deteriorating infrastructure hinders our ability to compete in an increasingly global marketplace. We can no longer put off sound investment in this critical network, which requires leadership and investment from all levels of government.
It is well known that Michigan put the world on wheels; however, Michigan is also home to the linchpin of the North American industrial economy, the Soo Locks. An extended, unscheduled closure of this single lock would have devastating effects felt across the country. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must work with Congress and local stakeholders to build a replacement lock. I am committed to working with the Corps and my colleagues in Congress to bring this vital project to fruition.
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"Today's legislation makes it crystal clear: President Trump, Republicans and Democrats support a new lock in the Soo," said U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Midland, who has been pushing for authorization of the project and is likely to be a key member to secure funding as the state's only member of the Appropriations Committee. "After 50 years of harsh winters and extraordinary maintenance, we need to build a second lock to be ready in case the one lock we have fails."
U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Midland, said Trump and everyone in Michigan already knows how important the Soo Locks are, and said he considers the Army Corps report to be a "greenlight" for the project as he works to secure funding.
"MBS International Airport is vital to the Great Lakes Bay Region," said U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Midland. "This important funding will help the airport maintain its facilities and provide service for everyone in our region."
"Having good airports and updated airports is important for international tourism," Moolenaar said. "It puts a five-year extension on this policy and it also allows for additional dollars for airport to apply for grants to modernize and upgrade airports."