USACE hosts public meeting on Soo Lock blasting activities

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, and New Lock at the Soo contractor Kokosing Alberici Traylor, LLC (KAT) will host an in-person and virtual public meeting at 6 p.m., November 21, 2024, to inform the public of test blasting activities needed for project construction.

The Corps of Engineers contracted KAT to complete Phase 3 construction of the New Lock at the Soo project. This work includes the excavation of bedrock scheduled for this year and 2025.

“The project team will perform test blasts to fracture the existing bedrock to be excavated and removed,” Rachel Miller, New Lock at the Soo Contracting Officer’s Representative said.

“All blasting will be completed within the Corps of Engineers Soo Locks facility in the existing decommissioned Sabin Lock area.”

Test blasting activities will begin in December on a semiregular basis as weather allows.

According to USACE, the contractor is permitted to conduct blasting Monday through Sunday during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset).