January 25, 2022 – Advocacy work by GCP and Great Lakes Metro Chambers Council (GLMCC)–longtime proponents of federal funding efforts for critical Great Lakes projects–has paid off with the recent announcement of $742 million in federal funding for the Soo Locks and the Brandon Road Project. Greater Cleveland can expect to reap the benefits of this monumental and much-needed investment in our Great Lakes.

Here's what each project entails for the host states (Michigan and Illinois, respectively) and how Cleveland fits in:

Soo Locks (Michigan)

The National Landmark, which is referred to as one of the world’s great wonders, has gained popularity and is an attractive spot for tourism. However, the Soo Locks weren’t initially created for the purpose of viewing pleasure, they were created to promote and enhance trade efforts.

Federal Funding: $516.2 million to complete a new replacement lock and major rehabilitation at the existing lock and dam, allowing maritime ships access to Lake Superior from the rest of the Great Lakes system.

Impact on Cleveland: Reduce congestion, allow for easier access to Lake Erie (and other lower Great Lakes), indirect job opportunities, increased iron ore cargo movement, increased tax revenue for the city and state, and more.*

Brandon Road Project (Illinois)

The Brandon Road Lock and Dam were originally created for barge travel between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River. Currently, the lock and dam are considered the last line of defense in preventing invasive Asian carp from reaching the Great Lakes.

Federal Funding: About $226 million in federal funding will go toward reconstruction engineering and design, including the initial construction (site near Joliet). The pressing need for the revitalization of the Brandon Road Lock and Dam has become more apparent as the threat of Asian carp entering the Great Lakes and spreading to other basins has increased.

Impact on Cleveland: Lessen the possibility of aquatic vegetation decline around shorelines and wetlands surrounding Lake Erie, protect commercial annual catch (worth more than $5 million per year), reduce the chance of foreign diseases being introduced to the lakes, and more.**

The $742 million in federal funding is coming from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed in November 2021: H.R.3684 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act | Congress.gov | Library of Congress

*Provides thorough analysis of impact: https://www.greatlakesports.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/GLSLS-EcoImp-SooLocks-rev3-feb5.pdf

**Provides in-depth explanation of the negative impact of Asian carp: https://www.nps.gov/miss/learn/nature/ascarpover.htm