Corps Shares Lock And Dam 52 Blasting Plan

A public meeting was held July 11 in Brookport, Ill., to inform the community about the blasting plan for the upcoming demolition work at Lock and Dam 52 on the Ohio River.

Demolition of the marine features, which includes removal of all lock and dam components, is expected to begin in late July and last through December 2020. The demolition process will utilize blasting methods to fracture portions of the concrete structure of the lock, including two test blasts and a series of daily production blasts.

The Corps of Engineers awarded the contract for the demolition to C.J. Mahan Construction Company of Columbus, Ohio, which hosted the public meeting at Brookport City Hall.

The Corps and its contractor will work in close coordination with local authorities, the U.S. Coast Guard and navigation industry to keep them informed of the blasting schedule and river traffic procedures.

Daily blasting activities are expected to occur Monday thru Saturday between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Access to the blasting area will be controlled by closing the public boat ramp in Brookport and stopping all river traffic between the US-45 Brookport Bridge and I-24 bridge during all blasting operations. The safety perimeter will be maintained until an all clear has been issued.