GIWW Morgan City-Port Allen Alternate Route Bayou Sorrel Lock (Update)

Notice Number: 22-153
Date: Effective Immediately thru March 2023

Reference Navigation Bulletin No. 22-89, dated 25 July 2022, stating that due to major marine construction activities on the southwest guidewall and dolphin at Bayou Sorrel Lock, mariners are advised that the lock will be closed to navigation from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, and delays should be expected until March 2023.

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, MARINERS ARE ADVISED THAT DUE TO IMPACTS OF DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME AND THE NEED TO CONDUCT GUIDEWALL REPAIR OPERATIONS DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS, THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS WILL ADJUST THE DAYTIME RESTRICTIONS AS FOLLOWS:

IN LIEU OF FOUR (4) DAYS OF 12-HOUR RESTRICTIONS FROM 7:00 A.M. UNTIL 7:00 P.M., MONDAYS THROUGH THURSDAYS (48 HOURS TOTAL CLOSURE TIME, PER WEEK), THE DAYTIME RESTRICTIONS WILL BE ADJUSTED TO FIVE (5) DAYS OF 9-HOUR RESTRICTIONS, FROM 7:00 A.M. UNTIL 4:00 P.M., MONDAYS THROUGH FRIDAYS (45 HOURS TOTAL CLOSURE TIME, PER WEEK).

During these closure times, opportunities to allow passage of vessels may occur and will be utilized.

Mariners are urged to be cautious and should enter along the north side of the lock and avoid making contact with the southwest side construction activities. All northbound mariners with vessels greater than 35 feet wide are highly encouraged to use an assist boat faced-up on the bow of the lead barge acting as a bow thruster when entering the lock from the south. All southbound mariners shall use extreme caution and maintain a slow bell when exiting the lock until clear of the construction zone.

Passage for vessels will be allowed during all other times and queues will be managed by lock personnel to achieve the most efficient possible reduction of queues. The navigation bulletin may be updated for future lock closures and construction schedules.

For up-to-date information, please call the Lockmaster, Nicholas Bryant, at 225-659-2581. The points of contact with the New Orleans District are Tim Connell at (504) 862-2360 and Anh Nguyen at (504) 862-2153.

//signed//

MICHELLE C. DAIGLE
Chief, Technical Support