The US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) delayed the reopening of the Lockport Lock along the Illinois River by over a month after finding significant cracks in the lower gate walls.
The Corps now estimates the lock to resume operations between 30 April and 6 May at the earliest. The Lockport Lock was previously scheduled to reopen on 25 March, after the two gates on the upper end of the lock were replaced. When the Corps dewatered the lock chamber earlier this month, severe cracks were found in both the lower gates.
The Lockport Lock grants access to major trading hubs Chicago, Illinois, and Burns Harbor, Indiana, at the end of the Illinois River. The lock has been closed since 28 January.
Major barge carriers had already planned transit routes for the previous reopening timeline of the Lockport Lock. These dates have been paused until April, instead of late February. The delayed timeline will prolong shipment of major products such as metals, asphalt, petcoke, fertilizer and biofuels.
Another 5-6 weeks of work will be required for replacement of the lower gate walls, said the Corps. Both lower gates need to be pulled, and there are no spare castings for the Lockport gates, incurring an extended timeline. A different heavy lift crane must be brought in and funding must be acquired for the additional interim and permanent repairs, said the Corps.
Work has already begun for replacement of the upper gates, including bulkheads, rebar installation and upper gates pulled into the chamber.
