U.S. Gulf:
A mechanical failure at the Belle Chasse Bridge, located at Mile 3 in the West Canal, was reported impacting travel in the Port Allen Route during the week. Vessels under 40 feet in height were able to transit the site, while taller boats were required to detour through Algiers Lock, adding up to 96 hours to travel times.
Port Allen Lock restrictions continued to be reported due to a damaged guidewall. Unassisted westbound vessels were limited to a single barge per tow, while larger lockages were required to utilize industry assistance. An assist boat was necessary on all eastbound movements measuring over 650 feet. Port Allen Lock delays were noted up to 22.5 hours for the week.
Unassisted tows passing through Algiers Lock faced ongoing restrictions as well. Limitations on tow lengths and widths effectively capped unassisted lockages at four standard barges or two 30,000 mt tankers, although larger passages were available with the use of an assist vessel. Wait times at the lock were reported up to five hours during the week.
Travel through Bayou Chene remained unavailable during overnight hours due to ongoing construction and dive operations. Movements were stopped nightly between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., resulting in 6-12 hour delays. An assist boat was reportedly necessary for travel during daytime hours.
Bayou Sorrel Lock delays ran in the 5-12 hour range for the week, Corps data indicated, while tows passing Industrial Lock were delayed up to nine hours.
Mississippi River:
Staggered one-way traffic was allowed at Mile 933 on the lower Mississippi River to ease blocked daytime restrictions caused by rock-laying operations at the site. One-way access was available daily between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., with normal navigation possible during overnight hours.
Previously scheduled to run through July 27, contractors were expected to complete work at Mile 933 by July 31 before moving to a new location in the week ahead.
Falling water levels at St. Louis allowed for eased restrictions between St. Louis and Cairo, Ill., in late July, ending a spate of overnight limitations previously imposed on a case-by-case basis through the bridge at Thebes, Ill.
Movement also returned through the Lock 27 secondary chamber on July 27 through Aug. 1, ending the first phase of a planned bullnose repair project at the site. The main chamber will shut again on Aug. 2-19 for repairs to the upper bullnose, with significant waits expected. Intermittent delays were noted up to eight hours for the week.
Miter gate installation triggered wait times up to 10 hours at Lock 2 for the week. Sporadic waits were projected to run 4-12 hours for the duration of the project.
Wait times were posted up to 23 hours at Lock 16, while boats passing Lock 21 experienced 3-12 hour delays for the week. Tows locking through Mel Price Lock required up to seven hours to pass.
Illinois River:
Wickets were reported in the lowered position at both Peoria Lock and LaGrange Lock for the week, allowing lockless navigation through both sites. Wait times were noted up to five hours at Starved Rock Lock and Dam.
Ohio River:
The Montgomery Lock main chamber shut to navigation on July 26 for repairs and maintenance. Vessel traffic will detour through the secondary chamber for the duration of the project, currently scheduled through Aug. 24, with multiple passes needed to lock through the smaller chamber.
A second main chamber project at the site, scheduled to run between Oct. 18 and Dec. 17, will prompt similarly rerouted navigation. Delays were quoted up to 20 hours for the week.
Main chamber repairs and maintenance underway at Cannelton Lock prompted detours through the site’s auxiliary chamber. The project started on June 21 and is expected to run through Nov. 19. Work at the site reportedly resulted in minimal delays for the week. Following the main chamber repair, the secondary chamber is scheduled to close for work on Nov. 1-19.
The Markland Lock secondary chamber is projected to remain offline through an estimated Oct. 29 due to structural damage to the miter gate. Tows have continued to pass through the site’s main chamber throughout the navigation interruption, with minimal delays reported.
The Braddock Lock main chamber will shut to navigation from Sept. 13 through Oct. 15, with tows expected to transit through the secondary chamber. Hannibal Lock will shut from Sept. 13 through Oct. 29 for repairs to the 1,200-foot main chamber, forcing tows to pass through the 600-foot secondary unit. The primary chamber at Willow Lock is also due to be offline for repairs on Oct. 1-31, with delays anticipated.
Sources reported a multi-day shutdown at the Tennessee River’s Kentucky Lock during the week, resulting in lengthy delays. Kentucky Lock is in the midst of a long-term construction project slated to run through the end of 2024.
The Monongahela River’s Lock 2 is scheduled to undergo a main chamber closure from Sept. 13 through Oct. 15, forcing tows to run through the auxiliary chamber.
Arkansas River:
David D. Terry Lock will experience a complete shutdown for dewatering and repairs from Aug. 27 to Sept. 9, blocking river travel at that site. Intermittent shutdowns are expected in advance of the closure on Aug. 16-26.
Joe Hardin Lock will see intermittent delays on Oct 19-21, Corps postings indicated. Sporadic shutdowns are also scheduled at Emmett Sanders Lock on Oct. 26-28.