U.S. Army Corps of Engineers locks will stay open despite potential federal government shutdown

Published April 8, 2011

Canaveral Harbor lock updates completed ahead of schedule

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (April 8, 2011) – Due to the potential federal government shutdown, locks maintained by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District may have restricted operating hours beginning Saturday morning.

 

Should the shutdown occur, all six locks maintained by the district will have lockages at 7 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Those locks are Canaveral, St. Lucie, Port Mayaca, Moore Haven, Ortona and W.P. Franklin. If a federal government shutdown is avoided, all locks will maintain normal locking hours at current lake levels, operating continuously on an as-needed basis between 6 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.

 

In related developments, Canaveral Harbor locks will reopen Saturday morning following completion of a $1.4 million project two weeks ahead of schedule. All four lock gates have been armed with a new manatee protection system. The contractor worked on an accelerated schedule and around three NASA shuttle launch reschedules. There were no lost-time accidents during the project.

 

“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation during the closure of Canaveral Lock, and we thank Citizens for Florida’s Waterways for helping to inform the public while the project was under way,” said Aaron Kelly, project manager.

 


Release no. 11-29