Illinois Waterway consolidated lock closures

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provided the following information:

Background
For more than three years, the Rock Island District has been coordinating temporary closures of six locks on the Illinois Waterway to address aging infrastructure needs. Through cooperation with navigation industry and Illinois Waterway stakeholders, the District developed a consolidated repair schedule, which includes a short closure to locks in 2019 followed by two extended closures in 2020 and 2023. The simultaneous closure of multiple locks will provide time for much needed critical repairs and maintenance while reducing impacts to navigation.

Impacts to Navigation
All lock and dam facilities on the Illinois Waterway have a single lock chamber for passing vessels. During the scheduled closures, no vessels will be able to pass through the affected locks. An exception to this restriction could occur at the LaGrange and Peoria locks if water levels become high enough that the wicket portions of the dams could be lowered for open-pass. This would allow vessels to pass around the dam without using the lock. There is no guarantee river levels will be high during the closures. Navigation on the rest of the river, between the locks, will not be impacted by the closures. Recreational and commercial vessels will be able to navigate with the pools without restriction.

Closure Schedule 2020* (Listed are only lock locations south of us.)

LaGrange Lock and Dam – Major Rehabilitation & Lock Machinery Replacement
• Full closure scheduled (July 1 – Sept. 30)

Peoria Lock and Dam – Dewatering for Maintenance and Inspection
• Full closure scheduled to start mid-July/early Aug. for 60+ days

*Note: Projects and dates listed are subject to change due to river levels and project funding.
If you would like more information on this project please visit:
https://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/Missions/Navigation/Navigation-Status/

.