Chittenden Locks announces upcoming extended large lock closure

Published Sept. 21, 2020

The Hiram M. Chittenden (Ballard) Locks’ large chamber will close to all vessel traffic 5:30 a.m. October 15, for the third and final scheduled extended closure required for the Stoney Gate Valve Replacement Project. It is scheduled to remain closed until December 6.

The small chamber will remain open during this time and vessels up to 28-feet wide by 123-feet long are able to use it.

The Locks originally had a fourth closure scheduled in early 2021 but that extra closure is no longer needed.

“In an effort to respond to stakeholder concerns about multiple extended outages, USACE and the contractor developed and aggressive construction schedule that will replace the three remaining culvert valves eliminating the need for a 4th closure,” said Peter Gibson the Project Manager for the Stoney Gate Valve Replacement Project.  

The Stoney Gate Valves are underwater during regular operations and seal off the 8-feet-6-inch wide by 14-feet tall filling   

The regular annual lock maintenance closure is expected to return in fall 2021, currently set for November 9 through 24.

A contract to replace the original large lock chamber’s 102-year-old filling culvert gates at the Locks in Ballard was awarded by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials September 10, 2018. Ferndale, Washington, headquartered IMCO received the contract award for their $10.5 million bid. The project will replace the original valves, called Stoney Gate Valves, designed and originally used during the Panama Canal construction.

For more information about scheduled and projected Chittenden Lock closures visit https://go.usa.gov/xVtpE. Also follow the Locks on Facebook and Twitter: www.facebook.com/chittendenlocks and http://twitter.com/ChittendenLocks.


Contact
Dallas Edwards
206-764-6958
Dallas.D.Edwards@usace.army.mil

Release no. 20-118