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 9-14% (4-5 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 in the Gulf reported due to ice from the winter storm in the area.
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 in the region; some vendors have stopped operations entirely until ice conditions improve.
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.
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 24th 07:00 Passed 7 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 7.28 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 4 tows waiting that have averaged 22.26 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. Auxiliary Chamber was unavailable 10:22-12:45 1/23.January 24th 07:00 Passed 11 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 12.26 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 8 tows waiting that have averaged 8.00 hours of delay.
LaGrange Lock Delays (IR 80.2) – There have been delays reported of up to 60+ hours due to weather conditions and congestion, hindering timings going to the river as of December 13th.
McAlpine Lock Closure (OR 606) –Intermittent daytime closures due to work in the Portland Canal, December 2nd through January 31st has been suspended until January 6th.
January 6th thru March 25th: Intermittent daytime closures, due to work on the Portland Canal wall, will resume starting at 0700 for up to 10 hours a day. January 24th 07:00 Passed 8 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 0.26 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 2 tows waiting that have averaged 0.68 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 24th 07:00 passed 1 tow and 2 partial tows with 15 barges in the last 24 hours, that averaged 324.88 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 28 tows and a partial tow with 197 barges waiting that have averaged 156.11 hours of delay.
Kentucky Lock Closure (TR 22.4) – Intermittent closures starting January 6th thru January 31st, 2025, due to work and repairs; some closures will take place from 0600-1800. January 24th 07:00 Passed 5 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 4.33 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 7 tows waiting that have averaged 7.88 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.
Togo Closures (LM 413) –
Starting January 6th through approximately March 30th a scheduled closure will be in place for S/B traffic due to dike installations.
Natchez Bridge (LM 361) – There will be a 58-day project, 1.9 miles below the bridge, to replace a line across the river. There will be 12 days of closures February 9th thru March 8th. More details to come.
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 unavailable 18:45 1/22-08:00 1/23. LPMS is not reporting any transits since 18:30 1/23.January 24th 07:00 Passed 10 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 42.30 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 25 tows waiting that have averaged 33.40 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 available all day 1/23. Due to the weather, closures at Colorado have been delayed. Now scheduled to start January 29th through February 28th.January 24th 07:00 Passed 26 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 4.49 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 3 tows waiting that have averaged 3.47 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 07:11-17:28 1/23.January 24th 07:00 Passed 19 tows, in the last 24 hours, that averaged 9.60 hours of delay. LPMS is showing 1 tow waiting that has averaged 27.13hours of delay.
Leland Bowman Lock Closure (WC 163) – The lock will need intermittent closures the week of January 27th for upgrades. More information to come.
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 on the Illinois River – Credit to: M/V Mike NadicksberndIce at Marseilles-Credit to: Northern MarineIce at Marseilles-Credit to: Northern MarineIce at Marseilles-Credit to: Northern MarineIce at Marseilles-Credit to: Northern Marine
