Locking temporarily suspended at McAlpine Locks and Dam

The lock chambers at McAlpine Locks and Dam (Ohio River mile 606.8 ) in Louisville, Kentucky, are currently closed to traffic due to a navigation accident, which occurred shortly after 4:00 p.m. today, March 8. There are no injuries reported and all personnel are accounted for.

Two barges loaded with coal are currently sitting against the lower dam site, and eight additional barges are pinned against the Louisville and Indiana Railroad bridge pier.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard, navigation industry and the towing company. The locks will remain closed while the barges are being recovered from the L&I Bridge and until it has reopened to traffic. The locks will be operating intermittently once a recovery or salvage plan is developed for the remaining barges on the lower dam site.

All mariners should take direction from the lock operators at McAlpine Locks and Dam.