The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District has announced a revised timeline for the repairs of the main chamber at Wilson Lock in Florence, with an anticipated reopening set for June 2025. This update follows the discovery of cracks in the pintle assembly and chamber gates in September 2024, which rendered the main chamber inoperable.
In response to the damage, the Corps deployed a Remotely-Operated Vehicle (ROV) team alongside dive-certified lock mechanics to document the fractures. Based on their findings, a repair strategy was developed, initially estimating that the chamber would be back in service by April 2025.
During the period of the main chamber’s closure, the district is committed to maintaining traffic flow through Wilson Lock as effectively as possible. Currently, vessels are able to navigate through the auxiliary chamber. To optimize the repair process, the district plans to simultaneously raise and repair both gate leaves, which is expected to reduce downtime. However, the primary focus remains on ensuring that all repairs are conducted safely and adhere to the highest engineering standards. As work progresses on Wilson Lock, further updates will be made available to the public.