Corps suspends Lower Monumental Dam public vehicle crossings through May; temporary closure to accommodate new crane construction activities

Published April 3, 2012

KAHLOTUS, Wash. – Lower Monumental Lock and Dam will be closed to public vehicle traffic across the top of the dam through May 31, operations officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Walla Walla District announced today.

The temporary traffic-crossing closure is necessary to ensure public safety while construction crews replace the intake gantry crane on the top deck of the dam. That work includes assembling the new 130-ton-capacity crane, then disassembling and removing the existing 100-ton crane, according to officials at the dam, located at Snake River Mile 42, near Kahlotus, Wash.

The Corps awarded an approximately $7.5-million contract to COH, Inc. of Boisbriand, Quebec, in Canada, to design, manufacture, deliver and install two new cranes -- one for Lower Monumental and one for subsequent installation at Lower Granite Lock and Dam -- and removal and disposal of the old cranes.

The north and south shore approaches to the top of the dam will be gated – access through the construction work area will be limited during the work period to Corps employees, and authorized contractors and delivery vehicles.

Travelers can call 1-888-DAM-INFO (1-888-326-4636) for the most current dam-crossing information at all three of Walla Walla District’s dams that allow public traffic to cross the Snake River: Lower Monumental, near Kahlotus, Wash.; Little Goose, near Starbuck, Wash.; and Lower Granite, near Pomeroy, Wash.

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Release no. 12-31