Soo Locks water pump project awarded

DETROIT –The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, awards a contract to an Illinois firm for installation of electrical components at the Soo Locks, Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.

BBA Construction, LLC, of Bloomington, Ill., was awarded an $872,000 contract for an upgrade to water pumps in the Davis Building, located next to the Poe Lock.

“This is an important upgrade of infrastructure that will help the Corps continue to keep the Soo Locks operating reliably for vital marine commerce, which energizes our economy and supports jobs,” said Lt. Col. Robert Ells, district engineer.

The contractor will remove and replace a 480-volt switchgear assembly and motor starters that serve four dewatering pumps in the building’s basement. The pumps are used to dewater the locks for maintenance.
Some preparatory work, such as positioning of cables, will be done this winter, but the actual installation will take place during the spring and summer of 2014.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, maintains a navigation system of 91 harbors and four connecting channels, including the channels joining lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, St. Clair and Erie.