Great Lakes states renew push for new lock at critical point

MINNEAPOLIS — Officials are making a renewed push for a long stalled proposal for adding a new lock to the Soo Locks complex, a critical chokepoint that connects Lake Superior to the lower Great Lakes.

A Homeland Security study says an unplanned six-month closure of the biggest Soo lock due to an accident or terrorist attack would shut down much of the U.S. steel industry. The study says the economic shockwaves could cost 11 million jobs.

A Treasury Department report projects a net economic benefit of up to $1.7 billion from a new Soo Lock.

Congress first authorized a new lock in 1986 but never funded it. A bipartisan group of lawmakers is trying again.

They won backing Monday from the Great Lakes Commission, which is holding its annual meeting in Duluth.

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