Chittenden Locks Large Chamber begins 16-day closure November 8

USACE, SEATTLE
Published Oct. 6, 2022

The large lock at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Ballard will close to all marine traffic from 6 a.m. Nov. 8 to 8 p.m. Nov. 23 for annual maintenance and additional gate work.

The small lock will still be available for vessels less than 120 feet in length and 26 feet in width throughout the large lock maintenance period. Emergency vessels have priority, followed by government, commercial and then recreational. Mariners may experience delays, depending on passage demand.

The annual maintenance allows U.S. Army Corps of Engineers crews to perform routine maintenance necessary and important in keeping the 105-year-old Chittenden Locks safe and operational for years to come.

“The parts are underwater and have lasted more than 100 years because of our maintenance program,” said Operations Project Manager Jon Hofstra. “They are beyond their service life and parts are no longer available. If they fail, it could mean the large chamber would be closed months and months. That would be economically devastating. In coming years, we are working on improving our navigation infrastructure to help ensure we have reliable long-term operations for our stakeholders.”

For more information about Locks activities, follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ChittendenLocks or Twitter www.twitter.com/ChittendenLocks.

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Contact
Nicole L. Celestine
206-554-1894
nicole.l.celestine@usace.army.mil

Release no. 22-014