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Port Huron says canal contractor on schedule but needs state aid to finish Tanner Gate
Summary
City manager said the canal project is progressing — cofferdam and phase 1 work are in place — but the proprietary Tanner Gate design and other costs could push total expenses near $5 million, requiring state funding for completion and a target reopening by April if aid arrives.
City Manager (listed as City Manager in the record) told the City Council that work on the Cap (Tanner) canal is progressing but remains contingent on outside funding.
The manager said the cofferdam is installed and the contractor performing phase 1 is completing work on schedule but warned that the Tanner Gate is a proprietary design and the project could cost "near $5,000,000." He said the city does not have that amount and will need state appropriations to finish, adding the city’s goal is to have the canal open by April if funding can be secured.
Why it matters: the manager framed the canal as a multi-jurisdictional water-quality and public-safety issue, saying it affects Port Huron Township, Fort Gratiot Township and downstream communities and that the city is seeking state aid because the cost is an "undue burden" on roughly 30,000 residents.
Details and contractor status
The manager said the city received competitive bids on phase 1 and is working with a reputable engineering firm, DLZ, which is overseeing the work. He described the phase 1 contract originally bid at about $1.2 million and noted the contractor installed a removable plank system for spring flood season.
On the Tanner Gate specifically, the manager said the design is proprietary; the city extended the bid deadline to encourage more firms to bid on both design and construction of that component. He also said the city met with state legislators and is pursuing a state budget appropriation for the canal.
City officials emphasized public-safety risk and the canal's role in water quality. The manager asked residents and local partners for patience while the city pursues state support and underscored limits on the city's local revenue, noting police and firefighter budgets have priority in the next fiscal year.
Where things stand next
The manager said the contractor is working on site and that city staff will continue to pursue state funding. He repeated the April reopening goal contingent on securing external funds, and said the city will hold contractors to workmanship standards rather than accept substandard work to avoid problems years from now.
