Lock & Dam Infrastructure Upgrades - Illinois
Transportation | Building Infrastructure | Illinois
Project Summary
At Dresden Lock and Dam, a nearly century-old Illinois River structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Aldridge played a pivotal role in supporting the transit of over 16 million tons of commodities annually. The lock, spanning 600 feet in length and 110 feet in width, required strategic water displacement to facilitate draining during crucial upgrades.
Our team tackled complex challenges, including a congested work site and coordination with various agencies and trade partners. We installed a new electrical system in the switchgear building, replacing century-old infrastructure to power modern control stands and Motor Control Centers (MCCs). Each 300,000 pound miter gate was carefully integrated into the upgraded system. Despite these challenges, Aldridge successfully completed the work within a strict 120-day closure period, working around the clock for over a month to ensure timely and efficient completion.
Simultaneously, at Brandon Road Lock and Dam, our team completed extensive electrical upgrades as part of a larger ecosystem restoration initiative. This project uses innovative technologies to prevent invasive species from moving upstream into the Great Lakes while minimizing disruption to Illinois Waterway users.
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