GIWW Lock Work Schedules Revised
The New Orleans Engineer District has announced the most up-to-date closure schedules for three locks on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway in South Louisiana.
Bayou Boeuf Lock, which recently had its east end gate refurbished after it was damaged in December 2017, had its west end gate removed last month for an on-site refurbishment as well. While Bayou Boeuf Lock oftentimes can operate in open-pass mode, the Corps announced last week the lock will close to navigation beginning August 14 for pintle replacement on the west side. The closure will begin at 7 a.m. August 14 and continue through 7 p.m. August 18.
“Additional closures are expected to complete these repairs and will be posted on the lock status website,” the Corps said in Navigation Bulletin 18-101.
Bayou Chene provides an alternate route through the Morgan City area.
Bayou Sorrel Lock in Plaquemine will also close to navigation this month for the Corps to dewater the chamber and repair the lock’s south-end gate. The new schedule calls for the lock to close to navigation on August 22 and continue through November 22. Bayou Sorrel was originally scheduled to close August 15.
At Calcasieu Lock in Southwest Louisiana, the Corps, in concert with industry representatives, has updated its construction schedule in an effort to reduce the gargantuan queue at the lock, which has frequently surpassed 100 vessels since work to replace the lock’s south chamber guide wall began in late May.
As of August 9, the construction schedule calls for the lock to close to navigation between 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, now through December 2019. During the overnight hours Monday through Thursday, then Friday through Sunday 24 hours a day, the lock will be open to eastbound and westbound traffic in six-hour intervals. Assist boats are on site to help tows through the lock, and the Corps is installing guide piles to protect both barges and the guide wall template in place.
The Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association has launched a Facebook page to help exchange ideas and disseminate information related to Calcasieu Lock. Learn more by searching for “Calcasieu Lock Repair & Tow Traffic” on Facebook.
The status of locks within the New Orleans District may be checked online at www.mvn.usace.army.mil/LockStatus.
