Wilson Lock Reopening ‘On Schedule’

Better guidance on when the main chamber of Wilson Lock will return to service should be available in the first week to 10 days of June, according to the Nashville Engineer District.

The lock remains on schedule to reopen in early July, but it will be easier to determine the date once the gates are reinstalled and bracing is being added, Brian Mangrum, chief of the district’s technical support branch, said in an industry videoconference update May 27.

The lock chamber, located at Tennessee River Mile 259.4 in Florence, Ala., closed September 25 after operators heard popping noises associated with cracking in the gate components. A dewatering and inspection later showed major cracks in components of both lower gates’ pintles, the hinges on which they swing, along with steel gate girders. The Corps determined the chamber was too dangerous to be used and has been locking traffic through the auxiliary chamber, which fits one standard-sized barge at a time.

Once the main chamber reopens, it should take seven to 10 days to clear the queue, Mangrum said. It will then take two weeks for the Tennessee Valley Authority to install an interim floating guide wall. The auxiliary lock will be available while it is installed.

The goal is for the lock to return to normal service in early August, Mangrum said.

Crews from the regional heavy capacity fleet continue to work toward the reopening and have met major goals within the past few weeks.

“The new pintle forgings have been installed, bolted onto both gates,” Mangrum said. “The pintle balls and bases are on site at the lock.”

Bearing surfaces have been prepped, and installation of those components is underway, he said.

“We will be completing installation of those components later this week, and then we will begin lowering and reinstalling the miter gates on both the land and river sides,” Mangrum said. “Once that is complete, we will move on to the installation of bracing.”

Recent rains have not disrupted ongoing work except for brief stoppages during severe weather, he said.

The auxiliary lock continues to pass navigational traffic, facility operations supervisor Brian Brewer said. On May 28, the Corps of Engineers’ online lock report showed 38 vessels in the queue at Wilson Lock. The longest any boat had been waiting was since May 11.

Brewer asked those on the call who might seek priority lockage to call ahead at least three or four days in advance to help with scheduling.