The Big River Coalition’s Corps 2019 Revetment Schedule and Transit Restrictions Update 11419 is attached for your reference.
The updated schedule of work as provided by the Corps of Engineer’s Mississippi Valley Division on October 22, 2019 is also attached.
The first revetment operations on the Mississippi River Ship Channel are scheduled to start at Point Michel (Mile 43.5 Above Head of Passes) in early December (2019). However, the Corps is actively working to adjust the scheduled work dates based on the impact of the elevated river stages, the indications are that the next update could move the work at Point Michel to mid-November.
Please note the transit restrictions established around the revetment operations and rock work are tentative and subject to change based on the unknown nature of long-term river stage predictions.
The Coalition intends to issue an update later this week or once the updated schedule of revetment operations is made available.
RE: CORPS’ 2019 REVETMENT SCHEDULE AND TRANSIT RESTRICTIONS 11419
Corps 2019 Revetment Schedule and Transit Restrictions 11419.pdf
The present schedule for the Corps’ Mississippi Valley New Orleans (MVN) 2019 Mississippi River Bank Stabilization program schedule (revetment and rock work), with applicable navigation restrictions, is enclosed below. The latest schedule of work as provided by the MVN is attached. There are five proposed revetment locations between Baton Rouge and New Orleans and three locations below New Orleans that require revetment mat placement. The location at Abroth is above the Ship Channel (north of Baton Rouge) but listed for shallow-draft users at the Coast Guard’s request.
The Corps recently hosted a meeting, with representatives from the Corps’ Bank Stabilization Division, the U.S. Coast Guard, applicable Pilot Associations and the Coalition, to detail the scope of bank stabilization efforts and develop potential transit restrictions. During times of actual revetment work, the Mat Sinking Unit (MSU) extends from approximately 300 to 800 feet channelward from the bank. When the Unit is not folded in, it extends about 480 feet from the bank channelward. When it is folded in, the MSU extends 250 feet from the bank. The scheduled working times for the MSU are from 0600 hours to 1900 hours. In different locations the operations may be completed slightly before or after 1900 hours. The Corps agreed to Industry’s request to fold in the Mat Sinking Unit (MSU) at night on revetment locations that warranted concern. The Pilots and Coast Guard’s Lower Mississippi River Vessel Traffic Service will utilize the Contact Pilot on the MSU to coordinate vessel movements in the vicinity of these operations.
The Corps is actively working to update this schedule based on the impact of the elevated river stages and expects to make significant changes later this week. The first revetment operations on the Mississippi River Ship Channel are presently scheduled to begin in early December at Point Michel. However, the Corps indicates the work at Point Michel could start by mid-November, an update will be issued once more details are confirmed. Point Michel is the top priority of the revetment locations below Baton Rouge. The Carrolton Gauge (New Orleans) had a reading of 9.62 feet at 1500 hours today.
2019 Corps’ Revetment Schedule and Restrictions Locations Below New Orleans
|
Location |
Mile (Right or Left)
|
2019 Scheduled Date(s) |
Restrictions |
|
Myrtle Grove |
58.9 RDB |
December 10 to December 13 |
One-way transits with slow bell during working hours. MSU to fold in at night. |
|
Point Michel |
43.5 RDB |
December 1 to December 2 |
One-way transits with slow bell during working hours. MSU to fold in at night. |
|
Port Sulphur |
36.3 RDB |
December 3 to December 6 December 9 |
One-way transits with slow bell during working hours. MSU to fold in at night. |
Please note that three areas above New Orleans require vessel transits to be completed at night when the Mat Sinking Unit has completed work for the day, with special consideration for the work at Manchac Bend.
2019 Corps’ Revetment Schedule and Restrictions Locations Above New Orleans
|
Location |
Mile (Right or Left) |
2019 and 2020 Scheduled Date(s) |
Restriction |
|
Arbroth |
249.2 RDB |
January 8 to January 11
|
No traffic during working hours. to fold in at night.
|
|
Missouri Bend |
219.3 RDB |
December 28 to January 3 January 6 to January 7 |
One-way transits with slow bell during working hours. MSU to fold in at night. |
|
Manchac Bend |
215.4 LDB |
January 20 to January 23
|
*No traffic during working hours. MSU to fold in at night.
|
|
New River Bend |
190.4 LDB |
January 24 to January 28
|
One-way transits with slow bell during working hours. MSU to fold in at night.
|
|
Aben |
172.5 RDB |
December 15 to December 17 December 18 to December 20 December 23 to December 24 December 26 to December 27 |
*No traffic during working hours. MSU to fold in at night. |
|
Saint Alice |
163.8 RDB |
January 29 to January 31
|
*No traffic during working hours. MSU to fold in at night.
|
*The working hours at Manchac Bend will be adjusted to allow deep-draft traffic transits through this area at first light in both directions. Revetment operations at Manchac Bend will be scheduled from 0900 hours to 2100 hours to accommodate north- and south-bound ship traffic during morning hours.
The planned 2019 revetment operations include work at several key locations where the banks have been compromised by the extended high river stages. The work dates are established to focus on the priority locations first. However, throughout the bank stabilization efforts changes based upon river stages and experience with vessel transits should be anticipated. The Corps, Coast Guard, Pilots and BRC will work closely with industry to ensure that changes are noted and distributed as warranted and available.
