The Big River Coalition’s Corps 2018 Revetment Schedule and Transit Restrictions Update 8118 is attached for your reference.
The latest schedule of work as provided by the Corps of Engineer’s Mississippi Valley Division is also attached.
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 first revetment operations below New Orleans are schedule for Gravolet (Mile 50.4 Above Head of Passes) and are expected to begin in mid-November (2018).
The present schedule has rock work starting at Gravolet on October 24, 2018 with no restrictions expected.
The Coalition will issue an update shortly before the work starts and update the schedule at that time, please accept this as the first notice for 2018.
The present schedule for the Corps’ Mississippi Valley New Orleans (MVN) 2018 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 three work locations between Baton Rouge and New Orleans that require revetment mats or rock work and three additional locations below New Orleans scheduled for revetment operations and bank stabilization efforts.
The Corps recently hosted a meeting, with representatives from the Corps’ Bank Stabilization Division, the U.S. Coast Guard, applicable Pilot Associations and navigation representatives, to detail the scope of bank stabilization efforts and develop the proposed 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 0500 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 ongoing revetment operations.
The updated schedules from the Corps will be distributed upon receipt. The BRC will notify our members of any changes; however, please keep in mind that some changes occur without notice to Industry. The scheduled dates may change but those shown below are based on the latest schedule from the Corps. Updates will be provided in an attempt to provide accurate information as time permits and the work dates get closer.
2018 Corps’ Revetment Schedule and Restrictions Locations Above New Orleans
|
Location
|
Mile (Right or Left) |
2017 Scheduled Date(s) |
Restriction |
|
Good Hope |
123.4 LDB |
December 17 to December 19 |
One-way transits with slow bell during working hours. Fold in at night. |
2018 Corps’ Revetment Schedule and Restrictions Locations Below New Orleans
|
Location |
Mile (Right or Left) |
2018 Scheduled Date(s) |
 
Restrictions
|
|
Poydras |
81.0 LDB |
November 29 to December 7 December 10 to December 16 |
One-way transits with slow bell during working hours. Fold in at night.
|
|
English Turn |
76.5 RDB |
November 22 to November 23 November 26 to November 28 |
Slow bell with minimal wake. Fold in at night. |
|
Gravolet |
50.4 LDB |
November 16 to November 21 |
Slow bell with minimal wake.
|
2018/2019 Corps’ Rock Work Locations Schedule and Restrictions
|
Location |
Mile (Right or Left) |
2018 Scheduled Date(s) |
Restrictions |
|
*Port Allen |
231.5 RDB |
March 17 to April 7 (2019) |
*No restrictions, expected. |
|
Rich Bend |
153.9 RDB |
April 10 to July 7 (2019) |
No restrictions, expected. |
|
Poydras |
81.0 LDB |
November 10 to November 16 (2018) |
No restrictions, expected.
|
|
Gravolet |
50.4 LDB |
October 24 to November 7 (2018) |
 
No restrictions, expected. |
There are no restrictions expected during the rock work at the locations above. However, throughout the bank stabilization efforts changes based upon river stages and experience with vessel transits should be expected. The Corps, Coast Guard, Pilots and BRC will work closely with industry to ensure that changes are noted and distributed when warranted.
*The rock work at Port Allen could require transit restrictions, but are dependent upon river stages at the time of the actual work.
