LaGrange Lock, Illinois Waterway (Major Rehabilitation/Major Maintenance)

Rock Island District
Published Oct. 1, 2021
A look at the work taking place inside the LaGrange Lock during the 2020 Illinois Waterway Closures Project.

A look at the work taking place inside the LaGrange Lock during the 2020 Illinois Waterway Closures Project.

Location

Versailles, Illinois

Description

LaGrange Lock, located on the Illinois Waterway at river mile 80.2, was put into service in 1939 and is in need of a major rehabilitation of lock concrete, electrical and mechanical systems. The lock went through rehabilitation in 1986 to 1988; it included minor concrete repairs, repositioning lock machinery, and installing a traveling kevel. For 70 years, the lock has been exposed to multiple freeze/thaw cycles and flooding causing a gradual but incessant degradation of the lock components.

Frequent flooding and temperature extremes combined with high usage has resulted in significant deterioration of lock concrete and the decline of mechanical and electrical systems performance and reliability. The vertical concrete has deteriorated to the point that sections have had to be removed and/or threaten to fall into the lock chamber. Barges can become wedged under the armor, resulting in a dangerous situation for deck hands and lock personnel and potential damage to the barges. Hazardous working conditions exist due to deteriorated horizontal concrete on the land and river walls of the lock chamber. The mechanical and electrical systems require frequent patching and labor intensive repairs. Parts are difficult to obtain and have to be specially made in many cases. The probability of failure of the mechanical and electrical systems requiring extensive and expensive repairs in the next several years is very high. The potential at any time for an incident to occur due to deteriorated lock concrete in which the lock had to be closed for more than a week is very probable with the potential increasing every year the lock concrete is not rehabilitated.

The rehabilitation is funded by both Construction (designated Major Rehabilitation) and O&M (designated Major Maintenance) appropriations in a single contract for efficiency.

Background
A Rehabilitation Evaluation Report was approved in August 2005. New start was received in FY 2018 along with approval for use of the continuing contracts clause. 

Status
Project awarded at the beginning of FY 19 (Nov 2018).  Construction activities during FY 20 closure focused on rehabilitation of lock concrete, electrical and mechanical components while the lock was closed to navigation. The lock opened to navigation on 13-Oct-20.  Work in FY 21 finished up all major construction activities and focused on commissioning, access road replacement and demobilization.  FY22 efforts will focus on contract close out.

Additional Information

Authority

CG - Construction General
River and Harbor Act of 1930

Summarized Project Costs

 

Construction Funded Maj Rehab

O&M Funded Maj Maint

Estimated Federal Cost

$33,755,000

$65,990,000

Estimated Non-Federal Cost

$33,755,000

$0

Estimated Total Project Cost

$67,510,000

$65,990,000

Allocations Prior to FY 2022

$67,510,000

$65,990,000

FY 2021 Allocation

$0

$900,000

FY 2022 Allocation

$0

$0

FY 2022 President’s Budget

$0

$0

FY 2022 Total Capability

$0

$0

 

Major Work Item Prior Fiscal Year

FY 2021: Work to finalize the construction activities with focus on commissioning, access road replacement, site restoration, access road and demobilization.

Major Work Item Current Fiscal Year

FY 2022: Contract closeout.