Ice buildup slows vessel traffic on Ohio River at McAlpine Locks

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Ice buildup on the Ohio River is delaying vessel traffic at the McAlpine Locks and Dam, forcing crews to take extra steps to keep operations moving.

Lock operators said freezing conditions require chambers to be cycled repeatedly to keep ice from locking gates in place. Southbound tows are encountering the most difficulty as they push thick ice ahead of them while approaching the locks.

"They're pushing a lot of ice in front of them," said Gary Birge, operations manager at the McAlpine Locks and Dam. "So with that, if they have a large tow, there's probably not enough room for the ice and them in the first lockage."

To manage the congestion, crews move the ice through the chamber separately before allowing the vessel to enter.

"They would shove the ice in, back up, we would lock the ice out then turn it back around and lock the vessel," Birge said.

Workers said the extra steps significantly increase the time it takes to move traffic through the locks.

Deadly shooting in Shively leaves 1 man dead, another hospitalized

2 Louisville notaries charged with attempting to sell 71 fraudulent Kentucky temporary tags