Page 25: of Marine News Magazine (May 2025)

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one paycheck at a time, it just wouldn’t be ef? cient, right?

So with the ability to get this large in? ux of funds through supplemental, we can focus our efforts and get these con- struction projects built faster and into the system.”

The project faced funding challenges early on, but sig- ni? cant progress has been made since concrete placement began in 2018. Major milestones include: • 2010s: Site preparation and cofferdam construction • 2017: Award of the lock chamber contract • 2021: Award of the upstream approach wall contract • 2026: Expected completion of lock chamber work • 2027: Operational completion • 2029: Full project completion

One of the most signi? cant upcoming milestones is the ar- rival of the upstream miter gates, weighing 150,000 pounds each. “This effort is comparable to craning an M1 Abrams tank into place and welding 14 sections together,” Cotton said.

Economic, Environmental Impacts

The upgraded Chickamauga Lock will enhance ef? cien- cy and support the growing demand for barge transpor- tation. The inland waterways offer a sustainable alterna- tive to road transport, reducing congestion and emissions. “Barge transportation is the cleanest mode of surface transportation, providing a valuable way to alleviate traf- ? c and lower CO2 emissions,” Zea emphasizes. Moreover, the Chickamauga Lock is already experiencing increased traf? c, with a 50% rise in barge tonnage even before the new lock becomes operational. “We projected steady traf- ? c, but demand has exceeded expectations,” Cotton says, reinforcing the project’s necessity.

The Chickamauga Lock rebuild represents a broader ef- fort to modernize the nation’s inland waterway infrastruc- ture. With supplemental funding and streamlined project execution strategies, the Corps aims to complete future projects in shorter timelines. “Once funding was secured, the Nashville District executed ef? ciently, and we’re hope- ful this becomes the norm moving forward,” Zea said.

The successful completion of the Chickamauga Lock will not only improve ef? ciency but also solidify the U.S. inland waterways’ role in maintaining global competitive- ness. As the project progresses, stakeholders remain com- mitted to delivering a state-of-the-art infrastructure that will bene? t the region and the nation for decades to come.