Lower Granite Dam gets new 130-ton crane; vehicle-crossing delays scheduled

Published July 6, 2012

POMEROY, Wash. – Drivers wishing to cross over Lower Granite Lock and Dam may encounter traffic delays or intermittent closures July 11-17 to accommodate construction activities, according to operations officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Walla Walla District.

The temporary closures and delays in public traffic across the dam are 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 107.5, near Pomeroy, 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 installed at Lower Monumental Lock and Dam during April and one currently being installed at Lower Granite -- and removal and disposal of the old cranes.

 

Contractors anticipate intermittent closures and crossing delays to occur approximately as follows:

July 11 -- expect 30- to 45-minute delays throughout the day.

July 12 -- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. temporary closure.

July 16-17 -- expect 2- to 3-hour intermittent closures throughout the day.

July 21-22 -- possible early closure at 5 p.m. -- call the dam-crossing hotline to confirm status on these days. 

 

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.

Regular hours for crossing dams in the Walla Walla District are as follows:

Lower Granite Lock and Dam – crossings are allowed Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. through 5 p.m., and on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., except for federal holidays unless otherwise announced. Tour and school buses must contact the dam at 509-843-1493 at least 24 hours in advance for crossing authorization.

Little Goose Lock and Dam – open for crossings once an hour, on the half-hour, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday and closed on federal holidays unless otherwise announced. Crossing times are 7:30, 8:30, 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 in the morning, and 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30 and 4:30 in the afternoon. Tour and school buses must contact the dam at 509-399-2233, extensions 227, 231 or 252, at least 24 hours in advance for crossing authorization.

Lower Monumental Lock and Dam – open for crossings once an hour, on the half-hour, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday and closed on federal holidays unless otherwise announced. Crossing times are 7:30, 8:30, 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 in the morning, and 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30 and 4:30 in the afternoon. If approaching from the south shore, travelers can reach the security guard for crossing escort by calling #228 on the phone at south gate. Tour and school buses must contact the dam 24 hours in advance for authorization 509-282-3219/3218.

At all three dams, passenger cars, motorcycles, open trucks, recreation vehicles, small vans and farm equipment, with the exception of fuel trucks, will be allowed to cross. Large, commercial vehicles, trucks, vehicles hauling flammable or explosive cargo and vehicles that cannot be easily searched will not be allowed to cross the dams.

All vehicles crossing Corps dams are subject to a search. Photo identification is required for all vehicle occupants 18 years of age and older. All firearms must be unloaded and declared at the gate. Security guards are authorized to perform detailed vehicle searches and deny vehicle access across the dam. Drivers may not stop their vehicles to take pictures or sight see during escorted crossings. Pedestrian traffic across the dam is not allowed because of safety considerations.

Operations officials note there could still be closures: the district may, at any time, close access to traffic for extended periods of time due to operations, maintenance or construction-related activities at a dam. A change in security conditions could also terminate public access across the dam until such time as threat levels decrease. The public will be notified about closures, if possible, in advance, but the crossing is still subject to closing at anytime.
Contact

or
Public Affairs Office
509-527-7020
cenww-pa@usace.army.mil

Release no. 12-068