Olmsted Lock Project Nears the Finish Line

The Army Corps of Engineers, in coordination with The Waterways Council, Inc. provided a press tour today at the almost completed Olmsted lock and dam project. Inland stakeholders will cheer this critical infrastructure upgrade. MarineNews contributor Tom Ewing was there and had this to say:

As waterways operators know, Olmsted is the Corps' megaproject finally coming to an end. "Mega," of course, for engineering and contracts, mega for budgets - over 3 billion dollars and for project history - starting in 1988 but, unfortunately proceeding fitfully over the decades and countless  federal budget sessions. As a construction site, Olmsted is winding down prepping for the official ribbon-cutting next month. The two impressive 1,200 foot locks are open - a barge set passed through during the press event. Next up?: Wicket testing and confirming operations and coordination of the wickets, locks and tainter gates.

Today, Army Corps officials were confident in their work and confident that Olmsted will quickly and smoothly proceed into operations and service.