SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich., - The Soo Locks' MacArthur Lock has opened to marine traffic after completing a critical repair that took longer than expected. The lock was set to reopen in late April but replacing the almost 79-year-old tainter valve machinery, original to the lock, caused the closure's 59-day extension.
According to Soo Locks Construction Chief Nicholas Pettit this critical replacement means the MacArthur Lock will continue operating long into the future, according to Pettit.
The $7.2 million contract was awarded in August 2020 with the long lead time needed to manufacture the mechanical components. The MacArthur Lock closed December 15, 2021, for seasonal maintenance, including the tainter valve machinery project.
More than 4,500 vessels, carrying up to 80 million tons of cargo, maneuver through the locks annually. Iron ore, coal, wheat and limestone are the most frequently carried commodities.
