Project Synopsis:

Controlled demolition work was completed to retire Lock and Dam 53 on the Ohio River near Grand Chain, Illinois. This effort followed the commissioning of the Olmsted Locks and Dam and was critical in restoring uninterrupted navigation along the river. The demolition scope included dismantling the 600 foot and 1,200 foot lock chambers, removal of upper and lower gate monoliths, approach walls, guide walls, mooring cells, miter gates, and submerged concrete foundation structures.

A primary challenge was that all concrete components targeted for removal were submerged beneath a minimum of eight feet of water, the result of elevated pool levels maintained by the newly operational Olmsted Locks and Dam. This condition required the use of GPS-guided submerged blasting and remote demolition platforms designed to safely operate below surface level. All work was staged in coordination with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers protocols to maintain navigational access and environmental compliance throughout the operation.