Marie International Bridge between the United States and Canada permits vehicular traffic to pass over the locks.

The entire canal, including the locks, is owned and maintained by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, which provides free passage.

The first iteration of the U.S. Soo Locks was completed in May 1855; it was operated by the state of Michigan until transferred to the U.S. Army in 1881.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, operates the Soo Locks Visitors Center and viewing deck for the public.

[18][19] During this event, visitors are able to get close enough to touch ships passing through the two regularly operating locks.

Other than on that day, because the locks are United States Federal property under command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, unauthorized personnel and civilians are restricted from the locks under threat of fines or imprisonment for trespassing.