Advertising
For help, call:
MANITOWOC – The S. S. Badger is about to ride the waves now that paints on its damaged ramp formula can begin as soon as this week.
Lake Michigan Carferry, Inc. , which owns the Badger, said it has obtained final federal approval to start the large project.
The car ferry’s 70th season was halted in mid-July after a mechanical failure in its ramp formula in Ludington, Michigan. The Badger transports thousands of cars and passengers each year from Ludington to Manitowoc across Lake Michigan from May to October.
Lake Michigan Carferry ended the boat’s 2023 season after learning that maintaining the counterweight design on the port side of the boat’s ramp formula would take months.
Tackling the S. S. Badger: Tackling the SS Badger is a throwback to a bygone era
This week, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers gave the green light to the task after extensive engineering and planning, according to a news release from Lake Michigan Carferry. The Michigan Department of Environment and the Department of Great Lakes and Energy have already approved the repairs.
“We are very pleased to obtain long-awaited permits from the federal and state governments to begin the structure of the platform lifting mechanism here in Ludington,” the company’s chief executive, Sara Spore, said in the statement. “A milestone in the concerted effort to get the Badger back up and running to serve our port communities and transport passengers and shipments to our Lake Michigan Marine Highway. “
Lake Michigan Carferry has hired key Great Lakes marine partners to lead efforts on this vast project, he said.
Al Bufka Construction Inc. de Manistee, Michigan, is expected to begin preparing and demolishing the port’s counterweight this week. King Construction Co. , of Holland, Michigan, and Underwater Construction Corp. plan to do extensive underwater paintings before the winter ice settles.
The early end of the SS Badger season has an impact: Manitowoc businesses see fewer footprints after the early end of the SS Badger season
The large-scale task will take several months to complete.
“With the season wrapping up this year, we look forward to welcoming you all back in the spring of 2024,” Spore said in the statement. “We’re excited and looking forward to it. “
Do you have any tips or comments about Streetwise Manitowoc? Contact journalist Patti Zarling at pzarling@gannett. com or call 920-606-2575. Follow her on Twitter @PGPattiZarling.
This article gave the impression to the Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Work on the SS Badger Lake Michigan car ferry ramp begins in Ludington, Michigan.
Advertising
Advertising
Advertising
Advertising
Advertising
Advertising
Advertising
Advertising
Advertising
Advertising
Advertising