LOCK AND DAM 24 AND 25 BULKHEAD RECESS SLOTS AND MITER GATE ANCHORAGES

Winfield, Missouri

As part of two contracts awarded through Best Value procurements, Massman partnered with USACE to construct major enhancements to two lock and dam complexes on the Upper Mississippi River.

The first contract involved the installation of new bulkhead recess slots, which required the precise removal of portions of the original structure 38.25 feet tall, 14.25 feet wide, and four feet deep. The second contract included reconstruction of an existing bulkhead slot as well as the removal and replacement of gates weighing in excess of 95 tons; the installation, and removal of various bulkheads; and the replacement of anchorages that support the gates.

The project required the fabrication and installation of new anchorages, precision concrete removal via wiresawing, and the reconstruction of the demolished portion of the structure, including reinforcing steel and dowel installation. The hundreds of dowels were of varying sizes and depths, up to #9 bars and 40” deep. Massman worked with USACE to select an alternate epoxy with a significantly quicker cure time, allowing for follow-on work to occur more quickly despite freezing temperatures at the project site.

The majority of the work was completed during two winter shutdown periods, with a small portion completed in a final closure period in December 2020. The closures were scheduled to coincide with periods where navigation is typically impeded by ice floes. Due to the pent up barge traffic, on-time schedule performance was critical; the ramifications of a late project would ripple well beyond the project site. Following the completion of construction, Massman turned the structures over to USACE for operational testing ahead of schedule.