The concept of hand-free mooring was new to me, but it makes sense to simply pinch the ships between the sides of the lock rather than tie them off. My only real concern is that the mechanical devices used for the hands-free mooring are a new point of failure for the lock. The old Poe lock has managed to last past its design life because it's dead simple. I'm definitely worried that introducing complications can cause the new lock to need to close more often for maintenance.
My dad worked for great lakes dredge and dock back then dredging for the poe lock . We lived on riverside drive right next door 1958 to 1961 he was there getting ready in 57
how come they don't have a lock at the base of the UP close to Marquet and Au Train and Rapid River. It would make the trip to and from Chicago a lot quicker to Lake Superior!
