The US Government’s newly released budget commits to spending 75.3 million dollars toward construction of a new shipping lock in the Michigan, Sault.
Officials say the proposed 2020 funding would pay to begin construction of upstream approach walls, continue design of the lock chamber and finish upstream channel deepening.
Only one lock is large enough to accommodate the biggest freighters that haul iron ore and other bulk cargo.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is proposing a second full-size lock for the complex and it would cost about $1 billion.
Lt. Col. Greg Turner says it would keep the project on track for completion in seven to 10 years.