Kentucky, Chickamauga Updates Highlight TRVA Agenda
Those gathering for the Tennessee River Valley Conference later this month will hear from speakers regarding ongoing and upcoming projects in the Tennessee and Cumberland river valleys.
The conference, to be held in conjunction with the Tennessee-Cumberland Waterway Council meeting, is scheduled for January 27-28 at Embassy Suites by Hilton Franklin Cool Springs in Franklin, Tenn.
Corps of Engineers project managers will focus on two major Inland Waterway Trust Fund projects: the Kentucky Lock Addition Project and the Chickamauga Lock Replacement Project, providing updates about their progress, TRVA Executive Director Cline Jones said.
“We haven’t heard much about Kentucky since the responsibility shifted to the Pittsburgh District, so I think there will be a lot of folks interested in what they have to say,” he said.
Project manager James Shibata will provide the Kentucky Lock update. A speaker on the Chickamauga project had not been finalized at press time.
Lt. Col. Guillermo Guandique, who took command of the Nashville Engineer District last June, has confirmed his attendance at the conference. Brian Mangrum, chief of the district’s technical support branch, is expected to provide a district maintenance update. The update is likely to include projects completed within the past year and potential closures and navigation impacts expected over the course of the coming year. Of particular interest, Jones said he would like to hear about plans for district operations and maintenance, including work at Cheatham Lock on the Cumberland River that has previously been deferred. Jones stressed the importance of that lock, calling it the “gateway to Nashville.”
Nikki Berger, navigation program manager for the Tennessee Valley Authority, will overview the success of the installation of a temporary guide wall at Wilson Lock and Dam, Tennessee River Mile 259.4 in Florence, Ala. The wall, composed of three oceangoing spud barges anchored into the riverbed, was designed to be a temporary solution after the previous guide wall sank in the remnants of a hurricane passing through the region. Funding for a permanent fix is still being sought.
Deb Calhoun, senior vice president of Waterways Council Inc., will provide the Washington, D.C., perspective on inland waterways projects, including an update on the appropriations process, Jones said.
Chad Dorsey, director of the U.S. Maritime Administration’s Inland Waterways Gateway office, will speak about the Marine Highway program.
Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Nashville will provide a speaker with information about marine safety and upcoming programs and events expected to impact navigation, Jones said.
Finally, Jones added, while not confirmed, he has invited a speaker from Vanderbilt University to detail an ongoing academic study of interest to the maritime community.
To register for the conference or for more information, visit https://trva-tcwc.com/events.
