Locks 3 and 7 on the upper Mississippi River will open at midnight on 15 March after being closed for repairs, allowing access to St Paul, Minnesota, for barge carriers, according to the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Barges are already heading toward the locks carrying plenty of commodities, to the northern Plains for distribution. Locks 7 and 3 are located at miles 703 and 796 of the upper Mississippi River, respectively. The Corps anticipates barges passing through the locks starting over the weekend.
Navigation repairs for the locks have been finished as well, the Corps said.
Maintenance for the locks determined the opening date this year, as the Lake Pepin ice measurements that typically establish the date were cancelled due to unseasonably warm weather.
A barge carrier mentioned some of their barges may arrive in time to cross at midnight.
