Duncan Participates in Chickamauga Lock Groundbreaking

For Immediate Release

June 18, 2005

Chattanooga, Tenn. - Today Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr., (R-Tenn.) joined Senator Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), and Congressman Zach Wamp (R-Tenn.) in a groundbreaking ceremony celebrating the construction of a new Chickamauga Lock.  The structure will replace a smaller, failing lock and safeguard the economic benefits provided to East Tennessee by the Tennessee River.

As Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, Duncan has frequently emphasized the importance of building a new lock.  He has joined with other members of the Tennessee congressional delegation to secure authorization for the project, obtain funding for construction, and highlight the lock's importance to East Tennessee.

Congress has approved a replacement lock measuring 110 feet by 600 feet with an estimated cost of $309 million.  Although construction on the new lock is not slated to begin until 2008, initial work on the project begins this summer. 

The current structure suffers from concrete growth, a reaction between river water and concrete that estimates predict will force its closure by 2010.  Failure to address the issue would close 318 miles of river to commercial traffic while resulting in increased traffic along I-75, additional environmental risks, and a diminished ability to supply national security projects at Oak Ridge facilities efficiently.

 "This is a great day for East Tennessee," Duncan said.  "Building a replacement for the current Chickamauga Lock is of great importance to our economy and also provides a number of other benefits." 

"I appreciate the hard work of Congressman Wamp and Senators Frist and Alexander as well.  This project has truly been a team effort, and we will continue working to ensure the lock receives proper funding as construction continues." 

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