U.S. Gulf:
A long-term Belle Chasse Bridge replacement project kicked off at the West Canal’s Mile 3 on Aug. 2. The effort is anticipated to run through late 2022, triggering intermittent 12-hour navigation stoppages in the process. Due to the structure’s proximity to Algiers Lock, delays were likely to spill over to that site as well, sources said. Transit through the bridge was unavailable from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Aug. 4.
Locking restrictions persisted through Algiers Lock, limiting tows to four standard barges or two 30,000 mt tankers. Larger tows remained passable with the use of an assist vessel. Algiers Lock wait times were reported spiking to 38 hours on Aug. 1.
Nighttime travel limitations continued to be described through Bayou Chene due to ongoing construction activities and associated dive operations. Bayou Chene reportedly closed to traffic nightly from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., with delays heard in the 6-12 hour range. The use of an assist boat was required while work is underway.
Port Allen Lock saw intermittent delays in the 10-38 hour range for the week. Wait times were noted up to 48 hours at Bayou Sorrel Lock, while vessels passing Industrial Lock experienced delays ranging from 6-60 hours. Bayou Boeuf Lock delays were quoted up to 37 hours, and 16 tows queued to pass through Calcasieu Lock on Aug. 3 were noted waiting up to 38 hours for access.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported tracking two tropical disturbances in the Eastern and Central Atlantic on Aug. 5.
Mississippi River:
Rock-laying operations near Wolf Island at Mile 933 on the lower Mississippi River triggered restrictions on southbound travel on Aug. 2-6. Tows moving downriver were capped at a reported nine barges per tow during daytime hours, while vessels moving upriver were able to pass on a 24-hour schedule. Delays were heard up to 12 hours in the southbound direction.
New navigational shutdowns were announced for the St. Louis-area Merchants Memorial Rail Bridge in September, marking the newest phase of a $222 million replacement project that began in 2019. Two 24-hour closures were expected, tentatively scheduled for Sept. 10 and Sept. 13, dependent on environmental conditions. The project is scheduled to run through 2022.
The planned shutdown of the Lock 27 main chamber has been temporarily canceled due to a lack of ideal river conditions. The project to repair the site’s upper bullnose was previously scheduled for Aug 2-19. The Lock 27 auxiliary chamber was shut through July 27 for lower bullnose work.
Daylight-hour shutdowns remained in force during miter gate installation at Lock 2, causing intermittent delays up to nine hours for the week. Sporadic stoppages in the 4-12 hour range are expected for the project’s duration.
Lock 21 delays were posted in the 4-10 hour range for the week, while extended wait times were noted at Locks 19, 22, 24, and 25 starting on Aug. 1.
Illinois River:
Falling levels on the Illinois Waterway sparked a return to locking at Peoria Lock and LaGrange Lock during the week. Peoria Lock delays were posted up to four hours.
Ohio River:
The primary chamber at Montgomery Lock is shut through Aug. 27 for repairs and maintenance, an extension from the project’s original Aug. 24 end date. Boats were noted detouring through the site’s secondary chamber, prompting delays up to 46 hours. One additional main chamber closure is scheduled to run from Oct. 18 through Dec. 17.
The primary chamber at Cannelton Lock is offline through Nov. 19 for repairs and maintenance. Boats were noted passing through the auxiliary chamber instead, with minimal delays reported. The secondary chamber at Cannelton is projected to go offline Nov. 1-19 for repairs.
Markland Lock’s secondary chamber is closed to navigation through an estimated Oct. 29 due to structural damage to the miter gate. Discovered in early 2020, the damage subsequently forced all traffic through the site’s main chamber.
The main chamber at Braddock Lock is scheduled to close from Sept. 13 through Oct. 15, forcing detours through the secondary chamber, with delays expected. Willow Lock will undergo a main chamber shutdown on Oct. 1-31, prompting vessels to pass through the auxiliary chamber.
Passage through Hannibal Lock will be unavailable from Sept. 13 through Oct. 29, forcing boats to lock via the site’s 600-foot auxiliary chamber.
On the Tennessee River, Kentucky Lock delays were noted in a wide 6-24 hour range at the start of the week, but then jumped to nearly 50 hours on Aug. 2-4.
Lock 2 on the Monongahela River will halt main chamber access from Sept. 13 through Oct. 15 for repairs and maintenance, prompting detours through the secondary chamber.
Arkansas River:
David D. Terry Lock will shut to navigation from Aug. 27 through Sept. 9 due to a planned dewatering and repair operation, closing the Arkansas River at the site. Ahead of the full shutdown, intermittent shutdowns are expected on Aug. 16-26.
Joe Hardin Lock is projected to undergo intermittent travel shutdowns on Oct 19-21. Intermittent closures were also on the books at Emmett Sanders Lock, from Oct. 26-28.