Public Notices

Navigation Notice 19-46: Restricted Navigation Procedures at Kentucky Lock

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS NASHVILLE DISTRICT
Published Sept. 27, 2019
Expiration date: 9/30/2019

Construction has progressed on the downstream cofferdam such that the lower approach channel is more restricted. New procedures are being implemented to reduce the risk of impact with the cofferdam shells.

Effective Mon, Sep 30, 2019, a second helper boat will be employed by the downstream cofferdam contractor to assist upbound tows in Kentucky Lock Tennessee River Mile 22.4 lower approach during periods when the cofferdam is vulnerable to impacts. The second helper boat will be staged immediately downstream of the Paducah and Louisville Railway bridge and will shadow the stern of the tow through the work zone where clearances allow. It will engage and push the port side stern of the tow, but only if it appears that the tow is in danger of impacting a vulnerable cofferdam shell or if requested by the towboat pilot. If the second helper boat pushes the tow, its engagement point will be on the port side of the stern barge if clearances allow. If clearances don’t allow, the helper boat will engage at the port side of the tow boat. At all times and during all periods, the first helper boat will be faced-up to the head of the tow while transiting the work area in the lower approach.

At this stage of construction, there are only three remaining cofferdam shells that will be vulnerable to vessel impact. The period of time these shells are especially vulnerable is typically 5 to 7 days after they are placed in position and these are the periods when the 2nd helper boat will be employed. The vulnerable shell is always the most downstream shell.

The second helper boat will only be available during daylight hours during the initial stage of use; therefore, downbound vessels will be locked at night and upbound vessels during the day when the second helper boat is employed. If there is not a downbound queue at night, then upbound vessels will be required to wait until daylight to transit the lock. In the days following the setting of the last two shells, there will be up to four (4) 12-hour lock closures at night to allow divers to place sandbags around the base of the shells.

Vessel operating restrictions will continue to be in place in the lower approach channel for up to 10 days following the installation of a shell. Both upbound and downbound vessels will be restricted to a speed no greater than a slow walk from the downstream miter gates to the downstream Highway 62 bridge – a reach length of approximately 1,400 feet. Vessel pilots will receive specific instructions for these speed restrictions by the lock operator.

For more information contact: John "Caleb" Skinner at  (270) 362-4226.