13-032 Corps suspends Little Goose Dam public vehicle crossings through mid-July; temporary closure to accommodate new crane construction activities

STARBUCK, Wash.  – Little Goose Lock and Dam, located at Snake River Mile 70.3 near Starbuck, Wash., will be closed to public vehicle traffic across the top of the dam May 15 through July 13.

The temporary traffic-crossing closure is necessary to ensure public safety while construction crews replace the intake gantry crane. That work includes assembling the new 130-ton-capacity crane, then disassembling and removing the existing 100-ton crane, according to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ operations officials at the dam. The Corps awarded an approximately $5-million contract to COH, Inc. of Boisbriand, Quebec, in Canada, to design, manufacture, deliver and install the new crane.

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.

Fishing enthusiasts are invited to explore other Corps outdoor recreation and fishing areas during this temporary access closure at the dam. Check out Walla Walla District’s recreation website www.nww.usace.army.mil/corpsoutdoors.

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