Metropolis, Ill.-Sources reported recent news from the U.S. Corps of Engineers about lock repairs on the Ohio River that will likely have a significant impact on commercial barge traffic. Barkley Lock is currently closed for two weeks, with closures at other locks scheduled when that one is complete. At Lock 52 in Metropolis, Ill., the small chamber will be closed from Aug. 3 to Sept. 16, slowing barge traffic by probably 2-3 days. Of more importance, sources said, is the planned closure of the big chamber at Lock 52 from Sept. 19 to Nov. 11. The Corps will reportedly utilize a seven-day off, seven-day on policy during the nearly two-month closure, but barge traffic is expected to back up significantly during that period. One Ohio River source said delivery delays on barges could extend to weeks or even months with the closures. In other transportation news, Union Pacific has reportedly been running at record volumes, straining the railroad’s capacity and prompting it to announce that, effective Aug. 1, it would change its requirements for providing rail service to industrial tracks by limiting service to customers who have an active and valid track agreement with the railroad. Shippers lacking a fully executed track agreement with the railroad, which reportedly specifies ownership of the track, maintenance responsibilities, and liability, are subject to service disruptions, with holds likely to be placed on shipments until a track agreement has been established.
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