2025 Planned Illinois River Lock Port Closure – The closure of the Lockport Lock, River Mile 291, was delayed and is now scheduled to start January 28th, 2025, throughMarch 25th, 2025. The initial advisory regarding releases has been revised as of November 7th. Please see the advisory below.
The purpose of this closure is for the installation of the new Vertical Lift Gates, and sill & seal modifications and repairs. This closure will inhibit the ability to move barges from the Illinois to Chicago and Chicago to Illinois.
Due to the current river stage and operating conditions, ACBL has implemented draft and tow-size restrictions listed below.
Loading drafts were reduced to 16% NBD Gulf to Cairo.
Tow size has been reduced pending horsepower classification by 14-27% (5-10 barges)
Expect delay to transit of 24-to-48 hours due to reduced navigable space in certain areas.
Weather Delays – Weather issues have been reported throughout the Gulf, Canals, and Midwest.
Delays are being reported in the Gulf due to fog.
The Illinois, Upper Miss, and Ohio Rivers are seeing delays due to the ice and temperature conditions in the area. Delays are being seen with service providers and vendors in the region.
Ice on the Illinois River – Due to river conditions, as of December 30th ice couplings are now required going on the Illinois, delays to be expected. Picture of conditions at bottom of page.
Navigational delays are improving with the warmer temperatures. Service providers and vendors are still experiencing delays.
Ohio River High Water – There is high water on the upper end of the river due to melting snow/ice and rain in the area.
Mel Price Lock (UM 200) – Main chamber closure January 1st thru April 1st, currently double locking; expect delays to grow to 18-25 hours daily. January 31st 07:00 Passed 4 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 2.97 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 4 tows waiting that have averaged 0.83 hours of delay.
Lock 27 (UM 185.5) – Main chamber closure January 1st thru April 1st, currently double locking; expect delays to grow to 18-25 hours daily. January 31st 07:00 Passed 3 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 2.87 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 1 tow waiting that has averaged 0.28 hours of delay.
LaGrange Lock Delays (IR 80.2) – There have been delays reported of up to 6+ hours due to weather conditions and congestion, hindering timings going to the river as of December 13th.
McAlpine Lock Closure (OR 606) –beginning January 6th thru March 25th there will be intermittent daytime closures, due to work on the Portland Canal wall, will resume starting at 0700 for up to 10 hours a day. January 31st 07:00 Passed 14 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 0.11 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 0 tows waiting that have averaged 0.00 hours of delay.
New Cumberland Lock Closure (OR 54) – Primary chamber closure February 7th thru May 28th for repairs.
Wilson Lock (TR 259.4) -Main Chamber Closure 07:00 9/25 due to cracks in miter gate pintle, repair time is now estimated to beJune 14, 2025.January 31st 07:00 passed 2 tows with 16 barges in the last 24 hours, that averaged 291.78 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 31 tows with 236 barges waiting that have averaged 146.74 hours of delay.
Kentucky Lock Closure (TR 22.4) – Intermittent closures starting January 6th thru January 31st, has now been extended thru February7th, due to work and repairs; some closures will take place from 0600-1800. January 31st 07:00 Passed 8 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 4.15 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 2 tows waiting that have averaged 4.03 hours of delay.
Cheatham Lock Closure (CR 148.7) – Lock will be closed for scheduled repairs from March 3rd thru May 29th, 2025, with interim openings:
Opening 1: March 20th starting at 1800 thru March 24th at 0600.
Lower Memphis Bridge (LM 734.5) – A 20-day project will begin on January 30th thru approximately February 19th with daylight only transit for tows over 3 wide.
Togo Closures (LM 413) –
The scheduled closure in place for S/B traffic due to dike installations that started on January 6th through approximately March 30th has now been extended thru late April.
Natchez Bridge (LM 361) – There will be a 58-day project (January 11th thru March 2nd), 1.9 miles below the bridge, to replace a line across the river. There will be 12 days of intermittent 12-hour closures scheduled for February 9th thru March 8th, now postponed until June2025.
Bayou Sorrel Lock Closure (PA 37) – Daily closures Monday through Friday resumed June 26th, 2023, through February 2025, to facilitate guide wall repairs from 07:00 to 19:00. Project was available all day 1/30.January 31st 07:00 Passed 19 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 30.85 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 5 tows waiting that have averaged 18.05 hours of delay.
Colorado River Locks (WC 440) – The East and West locks will have daytime restrictions Monday through Friday now starting January 29ththru February 28th. Project was unavailable 09:30-11:24 1/30. LPMS is not showing any transits since 04:34 1/31.January 31st 07:00 Passed 20 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 1.03 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 7 tows waiting that have averaged 6.09 hours of delay.
Brazos Lock Closure (WC 401) – Daytime closure started August 31st, 2023, and was expected to last thru November 2024 but has now been extended to February 28, 2025. Project was unavailable 07:09-17:56 1/30.January 31st 07:00 Passed 21 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 27.52 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 2 tows waiting that have averaged 41.98 hours of delay.
Leland Bowman Lock Closure (WC 163) – The lock will need intermittent closures the week of January 27th for upgrades, this has been extended, more information to come.
Scheduled closure February 3rd from 0700 to 1800 to facilitate diving operations
LA-1 Drawbridge Closure (WC 35.6) – The bridge will have intermittent closures to boats from 0700-1100 and 1300-1800 each day for repairs starting January 27th thru February 7th.
Boats that do not need the draw to open may pass.
Ice at Spring Valley on the Illinois – Credit to: IRCAIce above Chillicothe on the Illinois – Credit to: IRCAIce at Peoria Narrows on the Illinois – Credit to: IRCAIce at Beardstown on the Illinois – Credit to: IRCA
