We have a brand new updated website! Click here to check it out!

Closed lock and dam causes Mississippi River traffic jam

Stock Image

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Emergency repairs to a gate at a lock and dam near St. Louis is causing a Mississippi River traffic jam.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that barges on Friday were lined up due to a cracked gate at the Melvin Price Locks and dam at Alton, Illinois. Barge traffic has been closed since Wednesday afternoon. Officials hope to reopen the gate around 6 a.m. Sunday.

By Friday morning, 19 northbound barge tows and 15 southbound tows were stalled.

Army Corps of Engineers spokeswoman Amanda Kruse says the cracks were discovered during a routine inspections.

Copyright Eagle Radio | FCC Public Files | EEO Public File