CHESAPEAKE, Va. -- The Great Bridge Lock on the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal will temporarily close to vessel traffic from noon Feb. 19 to 9 p.m. Feb. 20 to replace the set of lock gates.
The Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, Route 1, part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, will also close to through vessel traffic while contractors change the lock gates.
Funding to replace the set of old Great Bridge lock gates was submitted two years ago and approved in the Corps' fiscal year 2014 budget.
Norfolk District maintains the Great Bridge Lock, which was constructed in 1932.
The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway is a major inland protected route for commercial traffic, especially barges supplying fuel to the Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach, Va.
Vessels transiting the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway during the closure may use the Dismal Swamp Canal, Route 2. The controlling depth of the canal is six feet. The Dismal Swamp Canal locking hours are: 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m. 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m., seven days a week.
Vessel operators may call 757-201-7642 for information on the Dismal Swamp Canal’s latest project conditions or the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal closure. Lock and bridge operators will monitor Channel 13.