Funding approved for marine project. (Celebrating Excellence).

Funding for the largest marine project on the Great Lakes than three decades has been approved by the Michigan Transportation Commission.

Construction of the $225-million superlock project in the Michigan Sault is set to begin in late 2003.

The new lock will accommodate 1,000-foot vessels and replace the current Davis and Sabin Locks, which are more than 85 years old. The project also involves the construction of coffer dams, approach work on piers, dredging and the demolition of the old locks. U.S. Congress ratified the new lock in 1986.

As part of the funding, the Michigan Transportation Commission placed $4.7 million in a dedicated reserve fund that is to be withdrawn from in annual payments of $280,000 over the next 50 years to cover the state's share of $14.1 million. The majority of the construction costs in creating a second superlock on the St. Mary's River will be covered by the State of Washington, while each of the eight Great Lakes states will split the balance.

Currently, only two of the four locks in the Michigan Sault are operational, and only the Poe Lock, dedicated in 1969 after six years of construction, can handle 1,000 foot freighters.