© 2024 MICHIGAN PUBLIC
91.7 Ann Arbor/Detroit 104.1 Grand Rapids 91.3 Port Huron 89.7 Lansing 91.1 Flint
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Cargo shipping season resuming on upper Great Lakes

The Herbert C. Jackson prepares to enter the MacArthur Lock while the Tuscarora approaches the Poe Lock pier.
Michelle Hill
/
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. (AP) - Another cargo shipping season is underway on the upper Great Lakes.

The navigational lock complex at Sault Ste. Marie was to open Wednesday just after midnight after being closed since January 15 for routine maintenance.

The Soo Locks on the St. Marys River are operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. They lift and lower vessels so they can move between Lakes Huron and Superior.

Area Engineer Kevin Sprague says there's still a lot of thick ice on both sides of the locks. He says the Coast Guard icebreaker Mackinaw is preparing to lead the initial convoy of ships to ports in Lake Superior, where they will pick up loads of iron ore.

Sprague says icebreaking work probably will be needed for another month because of the cold winter.

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting.
Related Content