Trump Signs Bill Authorizing the Soo Locks, Moolenaar Calls for Army Corps to Take the Next Step and Put the Locks in 2019 Work Plan

Today, President Donald Trump signed the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, legislation authorizing water infrastructure projects across the country. This includes a $922 million authorization for the construction of a second 1,200-foot lock for the passage of freighters at the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie.

Congressman John Moolenaar has been a long-time supporter of the Soo Locks, and he worked with Congressman Jack Bergman and Congressman Paul Mitchell to bring the issue to the attention of President Trump during the president's visit to Michigan in April.

Congressman Moolenaar made the following statement on today's news:

"Today's signature from President Trump continues the momentum behind building a new lock at the Soo. He has been behind it ever since my colleagues and I told him about it in April, and now we've made more progress than has been seen in over a decade.

"To keep the momentum going, I have asked the Army Corps to include the design and groundbreaking of a new lock in its work plan for next year, which will be a sign of good faith from the Army Corps that it is planning to move forward on this crucial infrastructure for our country. It will also allow the process to begin one shipping season sooner and potentially save taxpayers up to $30 million. Today is an important step forward for the Soo Locks and it brings a new lock closer to reality."

On October 12, Congressman Moolenaar led a bipartisan letter with 27 members of Congress asking the Army Corps to include the design and construction of a new lock in its work plan for 2019.

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