A.          PROJECT DESCRIPTION                                                     

                Kentucky Lock is located in western Kentucky at Mile 22.4 of the Tennessee River.  A feasibility report completed in 1992 recommended a new 110' x 1200' lock adjacent and landward of the existing 110' x 600' lock.  The project was authorized for construction in WRDA 96 and construction commenced in July 1998.  Based on an expected funding level of $25.2M (Appropriated $30M minus Savings & Slippage), our FY 01 spending plan is provided below:

                        $  4.5M                In-house design and management

                        $  1.2M                Other Corps

                        $  0.5M                TVA in-house

                        $  7.5M                A/E Contract Design

                        $11.5M                     Construction and Real Estate Acquisition.

B.            GENERAL

Significant activities, issues raised, and decisions made during the month on the project include :

·        Use of Roller Compacted Concrete in Lock Walls – An analysis is currently underway to evaluate the use of roller compacted concrete (RCC) versus cast-in-place concrete in the construction of much of the new lock’s walls.  Preliminary design efforts by Harza Engineers two years ago had shown a substantial cost savings by using RCC in lieu of cast-in-place, on the order of $10M.  However, several design changes, technical concerns, and construction evaluations in the meantime have reduced, if not eliminated, any potential savings from the use of RCC.  The ongoing analysis will determine up-to-date costs and examine the pros and cons of using RCC.  A decision on whether or not to continue the pursuit of RCC is expected by February.

Construction activities:

·        TVA Transmission Towers – Only limited efforts on the towers have occurred over the last month.  TVA crews are expected back on site in force in January in an effort to have the first new line across the canal by the end of February

·        West bank Hwy/RR Embankment – The unusually cold and wet weather over the past month has prevented much activity on this contract.  Construction activities will resume as weather permits. 

C.            PROGRESS FOR THE MONTH:

Environmental

·        Wetland Mitigation -  TVA completed the acquisition of this 25 acre site near Benton, KY on 3 January.  Final design efforts for establishing the wetland site are ongoing by Hanson Engineers.  A 50% P&S submittal and review meeting is scheduled for 29 January.

·        Mussel Mitigation – The mussel survey in Lake Barkley has commenced and preliminary results were presented at the 5 December meeting in Vicksburg.  The Lake Barkley survey and Kentucky Lake surveys will resume this spring as the weather permits.

·        Tailwater Fishing Mitigation – After review of ACE’s initial design drawings and after viewing tests at the Navigation Model on 5 December, the following changes are being implemented in the design of the fishing jetties and their associated facilities:

·        The two jetties will be oriented perpendicular to flow.

·        The jetties will be moved downstream approximately 50’ so as to not impact the operation of the existing boat ramp.

·        The top length of the upstream jetty should be shortened by 15 feet, for a top length of 85 feet out from the 300 contour.

·        The ADA compliant access ramp should be located on the downstream side of the downstream jetty.

·        The curb height on the lower-most ADA fishing platform should be 6” high.

·        A flushing hydrant location should be shown.

·        The possibility for adding stairs at the downstream end of the new parking lot should be considered.

·        Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement –  The in-house review for this document is scheduled for mid-January with a public release in early February.

WES Navigation Model

Status - All of the proposed condition features have been installed and testing for this second phase is ongoing.  New features in the model include the proposed 1200’ lock, the piers for the new bridges, the two fishing piers, the two fishing jetties, and removal of the two mooring cells downstream of the powerhouse island.  Activities during the past month include:

·        Environmental Coordination Meeting – This meeting was held on 5 December (minutes available).  The main purpose of the meeting was to view navigation and spillway dike tests and discuss the results of measured post-project velocity impacts to mussel bed areas.  Significant discussions included:

·        It was agreed to use the velocity data measured to date in the model in the analyses to be presented in the Supplemental EIS.

·        All underwater activities to be included in the Supplemental EIS were identified and discussed as needed.

·        Language to be included in the Corps’ construction specifications regarding potential fish kills was clarified.

·        The proposed mooring buoys downstream of the I-24 bridge are being dropped from consideration in this project.

·        The proposed spillway dikes were viewed in the model and discussed.  Currently, they are not part of the project but will be considered for inclusion and they are to be included in the SEIS since they could be constructed as a Federal feature in the near future.  From viewing flow patterns in the model, it appears that the spillway dikes will reduce the likelihood of recreational craft to be pulled into the dangerous spill zone and may affect fishing patterns in the tailwater.

·        Railroad Truss Float-in Meeting – A meeting to view the RR truss float-in tests and PH Island pier impact tests was held on 6 December.  The tests have been held to determine the method and impacts to float this truss from the west bank boat basin across the river to its final resting position on the east bank.  Significant results from the meeting/viewing include:

·        The tests verified the need to remove the West KY Rural Electric Cooperative transmission line crossing the TN River immediately downstream of the boat basin.

·        A piling in the boat basin appeared more effective than lines to shore in controlling the truss assembly as it leaves the boat basin.

·        It was agreed to model test the use of a third tug during the transport.

·        The format and type of information to provide to prospective bidders was agreed upon.

·        The results of the pier impact tests show that impacts are very unlikely and the resulting forces would be low as compared to other design forces.

·        Model schedule and priorities – The anticipated sequence of upcoming major activities is provided below:

·        Install downstream cofferdam – Tests will be performed to determine impacts and to potentially lessen the impacts to navigation use of the existing lock both during construction of the cofferdam and after its construction is completed.

·        Future meetings:

·        Navigation – A meeting with the navigation industry to view conditions with the downstream cofferdam in place and under construction is planned after testing is substantially complete.  This meeting is still tentatively planned for the late February/early March timeframe.

WES Lock Model

Testing efforts are complete and the draft final report is being circulated for review comments.  Potential changes to the design of the upstream guardwall and upstream topography could cause this model to be reactivated to ensure that any changes do not adversely impact the design of the new lock’s intake system.

Lock Design

In-house.  The main focus of in-house resources is to manage both A/E and construction contracts needed for critical path items.  Work in support of the Upstream Cofferdam and Excavation Contract is ongoing.  Major features included are, Upstream Cofferdam design A/E administration, Upstream excavation design, Vulcan Haul Road & Disposal Area A/E administration, Anchoring existing lock wall design, Instrumentation of Existing Lock Wall design, and Area Drainage design.  Work is also continuing on the geotechnical drilling program, the support of WES’s Navigation Model work, new lock stability, existing lock lower land wall stability, miter gate design, lock intake trashrack design, the Materials DM, and the east bank permanent embankment.

Electrical/Mechanical Design.  A comment resolution meeting for the 75% DM submittal was held on 16 November (Minutes Available).  The 95% submittal is expected in mid January.

Upper Approach Walls –  The geophysical survey of the middle wall nose pier area has resulted in recommendations for changing the location for the nose pier area.  This and other issues will be discussed at the 60% DM review meeting on 5-8 February.

 Miter Gate Design.  Louisville District is continuing work on the Plans & Specifications for this feature.

As-built Drawings – A preliminary submission of the final folio is expected on 11 January.  The final folios will contain AIMSI, TVA and Corps drawings and this will complete AIMSI’s efforts on this task.

Site Utilities – The 35% submittal for this effort from Harza is expected in January.

Site Seismic Criteria – Harza Engineers are continuing in their efforts on this report.

Upstream Monolith Design – The task order for Black & Veatch prepare plans and specifications for construction of the upstream gate and valve monoliths has been negotiated and should be awarded this month.  B&V’s scope includes requirements for a Phase II thermal analysis.

Lock RCC Design – The draft scope for Harza to design the lock roller compacted concrete (RCC)  is essentially complete.  However, this effort has been put on hold until a decision is rendered on the cost/feasibility of using RCC in the lock walls (See Significant Activities on page 1).

Demolition and Modification of Existing Operations Building – The pile founded portions of the existing lock operations building will have to demolished once excavation in that area occurs.  These portions, a shop area and public restroom entrance, were additions to the original structure.  Since the KY Dam Project is on the National Register of Historic Places, the building will be restored as close as practical to its original condition.  A task order with Harza has been issued and they will prepare plans and specifications for these changes.

New Operations Building – The 90% DM submittal for this facility was received from Harza in January and review is currently underway. 

Transmission Towers

Construction progress – See Construction Activities in Section B.

Retaining wall for three downstream, east bank 69 kV towers –  The 60% DDR for P&S by Harza was submitted in November.  Its design is being coordinated with the design of the downstream cofferdam – a main topic of the 10 January meeting in Chicago.  The construction of this wall will be included in the bridge pier construction contract planned for advertisement this spring.

Disposal/Contractor Laydown Areas

Vulcan Materials Disposal Site – The review of B/G’s 95% plans & specification submittal for the Vulcan Haul Road is complete and B/G is working on the 100% package, scheduled for submission in late January.  The Vulcan Haul Road and Disposal Area construction will be included with the Upstream Cofferdam and Excavation construction contract we plan to advertise this spring.  An in-house Value Engineering Study of this design will commence this month.  Activities necessary to acquire the 15-year easement from Vulcan Materials for this 43-acre site located about Ύ mile from the proposed lock on Hwy 453 are ongoing.

Construction Laydown and Scheduling Task Order -   A review meeting of B/G’s 90% submittal was held on 13 December at Barkley (minutes available).  All significant comments were discussed and resolved.  A final submittal is expected in April upon completion of Harza’s site utilities efforts.

Cofferdam Design

Downstream cofferdam –  The 60% DDR submittal by B/G was received in early January.  A trip to WES with navigation industry representatives to view the navigation model with the downstream cofferdam in place is tentatively scheduled for late February/early March.

Upstream cofferdam – Black & Veatch submitted the 95% complete  Plans & Specifications for this feature in December.  A review comment and resolution meeting is scheduled for 18 January.

East Bank Temporary Cut-off Analysis –  The 70% submittal for this analysis was received in November and has been reviewed.  A comment resolution meeting is scheduled for 19 January.

Sheetpile Acquisition – Olmsted is currently pulling piles and loading them on barges for the new McAlpine Lock project.  It will be in the March time frame before piling is available for our project.  This month, the Corps’ Operations Division plans to initiate dredging for barge access for delivery of the sheetpile to the Taylor Park Campground site.  It is now planned to contract for the actual transport of the sheetpile from Olmsted to KY Lock.  We will continue to coordinate with the Olmsted Resident Engineer on logistics for this transfer.

Materials DM

The ITR comment resolution meeting for the 60% product was held on 4 December.  The DM is scheduled to be complete at the start of FY02.  If it is decided to pursue RCC lock walls, we will work with WES to determine tests required for lock chamber RCC design.  Close coordination will be required on scheduling these tests so results are available for RCC design task order input.

Relocations

·        RR/Hwy Design

·        TN River Bridges Substructure P&S – The 50% drawings for this contract were mailed for review late the week of 1 January.   In addition to the piers and abutments for the RR and Hwy bridge, this contract will include the construction of the temporary retaining wall for the three downstream 69 kV transmission towers and the pre-excavation required for the downstream guidewall.  A 50% review meeting is scheduled for 30 January.

·        East bank approaches P&S – The scope for ACE to do this work is nearing completion.  An underwater surveying task has recently been added to ACE’s scope to better define top of rock for the pre-excavation in the vicinity of the east bank piers.  Scoping efforts for HEI on this work have been initiated.  This design work as well as ongoing construction on the west bank will be the topic of discussion at the 29 January meeting on site.

·        Utility Relocations – Several site visits and meetings with local utilities are planned over the next month to discuss proposed relocations and construction impacts.  These include:

·        W. KY RECC – Proposed work include elimination of their TN River crossing with attendant connection to station power on east bank.  Also, phased relocations on the east bank during different construction phases and re-connection to remote TVA tower lighting near I-24 will be discussed.  A relocations contract is currently under development.

·        Kentucky Utilities – We will discuss proposed fill and riprap placement at a KU tower on the west bank, possible line outage during RR truss float-in process, and current design of Vulcan Disposal Area.

·        Jackson Purchase Energy Corp. – Will discuss impacts and possible modifications to lines in Vulcan Disposal Area.

·        City of Grand Rivers – Will discuss relocation of 8” water line on east bank.

Miscellaneous

KY Lock Telephone Directory – A list of all organizations and key personnel involved in the design of this project that contains their address, phone numbers and email addresses is available upon request to Don Getty, (615) 736-2346 [don.b.getty@lrn02.usace.army.mil].

Future Project Meetings

·        10 Jan – D/S cofferdam Elec/Mech coordination and tower retaining wall coordination in Chicago

·        11 Jan – Disposal area/haul road Value Engineering (VE)  team kick-off meeting

·        17 Jan – Kickoff for U/S monolith design in KC

·        18 Jan – 95% U/S Cofferdam in KC

·        18 Jan – VE team site visit

·        19 Jan – 70% review EB Temporary Cutoff in KC

·        29 Jan – Hwy/RR Roadways/Approaches Tri-annual meeting at site

·        29 Jan – Wetlands 50% P&S review meeting at site

·        30 Jan -  Hwy/RR TN River Bridges Substructures 50% P&S Review meeting at site

·        31 Jan – D/S cofferdam at site

·        Jan/Feb – W. KY RECC at site

·        Jan/Feb – Jackson Purchase Energy Corp. at site

·        Jan/Feb – KU at site

·        Jan/Feb – City of Grand Rivers at site

·        5-8 Feb – 60% U/S Approach Walls in Seattle

·        Feb/March – WES Downstream Cofferdam Nav. Model Demonstration

·        February – Olmsted Sheetpile Logistics Coordination at Olmsted

End of Report