WASHINGTON — A recent visit to the Eastern U.P. by U.S. Senator Gary Peters reaffirmed his push to improve the Soo Locks.

Peters visited the Soo Locks for the first time last week. He was able to get a behind the scenes tour of the control room and an up–close look at the MacArthur and Poe Locks.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is currently conducting a study on the locks that could play a big factor in fixing and expanding the operation.

“The rules for the Army Corps of Engineers as far as the priorities they put in place is driven by these studies,” said Peters. “What I was able to do working with my colleagues was to get funding for this study so the study would go forward. We’ve been pushing to get that study done as soon as possible. I’m very confident when it comes out it’ll make a very clear and compelling case.”

The $1.35 million study was funded last year is expected to last through the end of the year. A recent study by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said that a six–month shutdown of the Poe Lock could put the U.S. economy in a recession.