June 26, 2025 – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District announced today that the Wilson Lock on the Tennessee River is expected to reopen its main chamber around June 30, 2025, approximately a week ahead of its previously revised schedule of July 8. The critical navigation infrastructure, located at Tennessee River mile 259.4, has been undergoing extensive emergency repairs since its closure in September 2024.
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The lock's main chamber was rendered inoperable due to observed cracking in its massive 650-ton chamber gates and pintle assemblies (the hinges that allow the gates to pivot). Maintenance crews from the Corps' Nashville and Huntington Districts, supported by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), have been working tirelessly since January on these emergency repairs, which are estimated to cost around $20 million.
"This is ahead of the current scheduled completion date of July 8," stated Tim Fudge, Operations Division chief for the Nashville District. The accelerated timeline comes as welcome news for the navigation industry, which has faced increased transit times due to reliance on the auxiliary lock, which consists of two smaller 60-by-300-foot chambers operating in tandem.
Recent work included the installation of additional bracing to the heel section of the gate leaves and valve repairs completed last week. Over the past weekend, TVA staff conducted non-destructive testing on weld repairs and painted the structure. This week, crews are focusing on applying ceramic metal to the gate's embedded quoin blocks to ensure a proper fit. The final steps involve removing equipment and bulkheads, followed by rewatering the chamber.
Lt. Col. Guillermo Guandique, Nashville District commander, commended the collaborative effort, stating, "This has been a major lift for USACE and our TVA partners. From the unscheduled nature of the outage to the high-water events and the custom-fabrication needs — the team overcame major challenges." He also praised the constant communication with the navigation industry and the team's commitment to safety.
Despite earlier challenges including weather delays and complex technical requirements, the Corps has managed to expedite the repairs, demonstrating its commitment to restoring full functionality to this vital waterway component. Wilson Lock, with its impressive 93 to 100-foot lift, is the highest single lift for navigation east of the Rocky Mountains and is crucial for moving over 11 million tons of products annually.
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