The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District teamed with the Inland Navigation Design Center in Rock Island, Illinois to complete the partnership’s first project together.
The INDC was responsible for the design of the project while the Pittsburgh District Repair Fleet and maintenance engineers executed the work. The Upper Ohio Area Office provided contract oversight and the Navigation Design Branch coordinated the effort.
The result was the installation of the Upstream Maintenance Bulkhead slots for the 110-foot chamber at Dashields Locks and Dam completed Sept. 26.
The installation of the recess fillers concluded a multi-stage project that included removal of a portion of the lock walls by concrete wire sawing, underwater preparation of the existing boule dam sill, fabrication of several miscellaneous metal items, and installation of the recess liner.
The installation of the maintenance bulkhead slots became a priority when a Hydraulic Steel Structure inspection determined that the existing boule dam was not fit for service. This condition prevented the lock chamber from being dewatered and necessary maintenance work from being performed. The new slots will enable the use of the existing maintenance bulkheads from Braddock Locks and Dam to close off the upstream end of the primary chamber for dewatering.