Lock repair causes Mississippi River barge backup

(ALTON, Ill.) — A backup of barges continued Friday on the Mississippi River as repairs continued on a cracked gate at the Melvin Price Locks and Dam, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

Cracks discovered during a routine inspection have halted barges since Wednesday afternoon. As of 7:30 a.m. Friday, 19 northbound barge tows and 15 southbound barge tows were stalled because of the gate shutdown.

A spokeswoman for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said repairs are progressing and the reopening is planned for Sunday morning. 

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By Professional Mariner Staff