91´«Ã½

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Civil & Marine

Marseilles and Starved Rock Lock Chamber Rehabilitation

Marseilles and Ottawa, Illinois

Rehabilitating two locks on the Illinois Waterway during a critical closure period

Market

Civil & Marine

Key Services

Construction

Self-Perform

Strategic Partnerships

Virtual Design & Construction

Delivery Method
General Contracting (GC)
Self Perform %
70

The challenge

The Illinois Waterway is a major shipping artery connecting Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River. The refurbishment of lock chambers at the Marseilles and Starved Rock locks of the Illinois Waterway presented numerous challenges, including the need to complete the critical infrastructure work within a tight four-month schedule to minimize disruptions to commercial navigation and the industries they serve. Additionally, working in isolated areas with limited workspace and the complexities of managing the project amid the COVID-19 pandemic and a high-water event that made the site inaccessible for two weeks posed significant obstacles.

Key Facts

Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Missouri Keystone Award for Project of the Year


Two locks rehabilitated


Four-month closure period


240-ton miter gates

Challenge met

91´«Ã½ tackled the project with meticulous planning and a dedicated multidiscipline craft workforce. More than 70 percent of the work was self-performed by 91´«Ã½, including concrete removal and replacement, steel installation, and construction of new control buildings. The team adopted an accelerated schedule, working around the clock, seven days a week, to meet the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ critical completion milestone and avoid financial losses for commercial users of the waterway. 91´«Ã½’s commitment to collaboration, demonstrated through formal partnering sessions with USACE, ensured alignment of priorities, minimized conflicts, and significantly improved the project’s quality, safety, timeliness, and cost-effectiveness. The successful completion of the project despite numerous challenges showcased 91´«Ã½’s ability to deliver complex infrastructure projects on time and within budget.

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