ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, will host a public meeting February 24 at the Marseilles Fire station to discuss ongoing repairs to the Marseilles Dam.
The meeting will start at 6 p.m. and all are welcome to attend. Subject matter experts from the Rock Island District will be on hand to answer questions and provide information.
A $20 million contract ($18.2 million/base, $1.8 million/options) was awarded in September to begin construction on the permanent repairs to the dam. Construction work should begin in March. The repair work will be carefully staged to reduce flooding risk to the city of Marseilles and local areas and is expected to be completed in early 2017.
The Marseilles Dam, which is part of the Rock Island District’s Marseilles Lock and Dam project on the Illinois Waterway, sustained substantial damage following a barge accident in April 2013. Five of the eight dam gates sustained significant damage which included bending of the steel skin plates and structural members.
The District performed temporary repairs after the incident to stabilize the structure and the navigation pool. Permanent repairs include replacement of the trunnion anchor beam and fabrication and installation of three new gates and repairs to two damaged gates.
The dam has eight gates that by design are raised or lowered based on the river flow. The permanent repairs will bring all eight gates back to their intended design function and restore the lock and dam project to its original condition prior to the incident in April 2013.
During the meeting, Corps’ representatives will also address concerns about the earthen dike located upstream of the dam. Repairs to the dike are planned and will occur following completion of the permanent dam repairs.
The Marseilles Fire Station, where the meeting will be held, is located at 205 Lincoln Street, Marseilles, Illinois.
Release no. 15-013