IRCA Archive# 149 - January 10, 2012 Meeting Minutes

To: ALL IRCA Member and Friends of IRCA
From: Chairman
Date: 1/27/11
Subject: January 10, 2012 Meeting Minutes
IRCA Archive # 149

Illinois River Carriers Association Meeting Minutes
January 10, 2012

Holiday Inn
Willowbrook, ILL

JOHN KINDRA, IRCA PRESIDENT

Called the meeting to order at 9:00am. Opening remarks, a safety briefing of the facility was given followed by an introduction of members.

ZACH LANGEL, USACE-CHICAGO

Barrier update: Barrier IIB continues to run at operating parameters of 2.3 V/in, 30 hertz, 2.5 milliseconds. Safety testing shows no significant increase in risk to public safety. Raising parameters to increase protection against small fish. Demonstration Barrier I continue to run at operating parameters of 1.0 V/in, 5 hertz, and 4 milliseconds. Telemetry Data shows the both barriers have been effective in deterring fish from moving upstream or downstream of the barriers.

U S Fish and Wildlife: Will do caged fish study within the canal at the Fish Barriers.

Chicago Lock Restrictions/Closures: January 13-19 width restriction of only 40’ wide and may experience delays. Upcoming closure will be all of March and April for repair of lock gates and unsure if it will be a total closure or possible temporary openings.

GLMRIS (Great Lakes and Mississippi River Interbasin Study): The ANS Control Paper was released December 21, 2011 and the GLMRIS Commercial Cargo Navigation Report was released on December 7, 2011.

Upcoming Events: 1) USACE is hosting conference calls on January 10th and February 8th for questions and comments on ANS Controls Technologies Report, 2) A public release of Great Lakes Bi-National Risk Assessment for Bighead Carp is tentatively scheduled for January 23, 2012 and 3) Public release of Great Lakes Commission/Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities Initiative Hydrologic Separation study tentatively scheduled for January 31, 2012.

IRCA comments: Requesting bow boat restrictions to be cancelled. USCG maintains that bow boats are currently still needed due to potential risk. Also requesting results of Die testing between Des Plaines and Ship canal.

ROGER DIGIULIO, PATRICK ENGINEER

I-80 Long Term Improvements: 1) Overall IDOT I-80 Improvement Program (Advanced resurfacing, near-term, and long-term projects). 2) Overview of project includes new alignment, number of lanes, anticipated construction year. $800 million funding not currently in place. 3) Existing condition at Des Plaines River Bridge – Studies are not yet complete to determine estimated 5-10 years away. IRCA’s main concern is the pier placement. 4) Preliminary plans are to duplicate current pier clearances for proposed new bridge location (Schedule, public involvement, www.I-80Will.com).

Schedule is still in the study phase. Plan prep is estimated to take 1-1.5 years and could be under construction in 2.5-3 years. 15-20 years could be added to the life of current bridge if rehab plans are approved. This would cost $40 million. It is estimated to cost $200mil to completely replace the bridges over the river.

Request for input from Barge Operators and Industry owners along effected area followed with the next steps, reviews from all agencies, future meetings, permits, etc.

IDOT Contact: Steve Schilke, Consultant Studies Unit Head (847) 705-4125, Steven.Schilke@illinois.gov

RON NOVAK, ACL/LEMONT

RRR Grundy Fleeting Proposal Update: Filing applications for Aton’s. Currently 6 markers will be placed 1800 feet below EJ & E bridge to the downriver end of fleet. They are estimated to be placed this month for at least 2 weeks.

PAUL WHITMER, USACE

Lockport Wall Construction Update: Don’t expect future restrictions to be any worse than current ones are. The Lock wall debris is still on the bottom of the river with plans for removal still being determined.

New assist vessel on site with old vessel currently being repaired.

Estimated 90-100 days before construction site no longer impacts navigation. Last 25’ of construction is planned to be demolished by drilling and splitting. No coffer dam will be used.

ROB GERMANN, USACE

Lock Closures: Minor 2012 closures for both the Marseilles and LaGrange Lock of 1 or 2 days, 12 hour closure to make tow damage repairs and replace miter gate timbers.

Repair/Maintenance for the Starved Rock Lock (Mile 231) - Closure in March or April 2012 (Lock chamber closed for 2 sets of 3 days) for gate reinstall after rehab. Marseilles Lock (Mile 244.6) - Closure in April or May 2012 for remove and install standby miter gates for miter gate rehab (Lock chamber closed for 2 sets of 3 days).

2013-2014 Repair/Maintenance Schedule: This notice may require periodic revision due to the factors that may affect this schedule such as delivery of materials, repairs required but not anticipated, emergency repairs as a result of accidents, and funding.
1) Marseilles Lock: April or May 2013 (Lock chamber closed for 2 sets of 3 days) to remove and install standby miter gates for miter gate rehab.
2) Brandon Road Lock: April or May 2013 (Lock chamber closed for 2 sets of 3 days) to remove and install standby miter gates for miter gate rehab.
3) TJ Obrien Lock: Mar or April 2013 (Lock chamber closed for 4-3 day periods) for sector gate pintle ball and bushing repairs.
4) Brandon Road Lock: Mar or April 2014 (Lock chamber closed for 2 sets of 3 days) to remove and install standby miter gates for miter gate rehab.
5) Starved Rock: April or May 2014 (Lock chamber closed for 10 days) to install stackable miter gates and to rehab lower gates.

3 year closure plan will be sent out to IRCA.
Omni estimated to continue to be running through February to keep ice notes and pictures updated.
Crane Hercules is expected to be N/B Ex-Nola in March.

BILL GRAHAM, USACE
Survey boat overview: 3 boats currently do not have full crews (7 people Mon-Thurs with 10 hour days). Summer increases hours. An estimated 570 miles are covered with these 3 boats.

COMMANDER BOB BAILEY, USCG

Sub Chapter M conference in St. Louis on March 1st. A couple of issues that will be discussed are regarding the 35% increase in groundings and the 18% increase of equipment failures.

Jason Newbauer (from Hawaii) will replace Commander Bailey who will be leaving in June.

DAVE OTANI, USCG

Has requested Captains Meeting schedules from Industry. USCG would like to attend.

Very close to being finished with bridging program inspections. Two boats to still be inspected. There are a few boats that have not submitted their plans.

BILL KNUTSON, USCG BRIDGES

Utica Bridge - Preliminary plans are being looked at to replace. Will coordinate with IRCA during planning process.

Pekin RR – Closed for 8 hours today.

EJ & E – John Kindra, Terry Wiltz, Bill Graham and his team, and Eric Johnson were recognized for their help in the success of the project.

Introduction of Peter Sambor who is a bridge management specialist. Future Truman Hobbs projects. He works in St. Louis with Bill.

ALLEN GUEDESSE, USCG

Phase II of Bridging Program Inspections has no current date when it will go into effect.

EPA – General vessel reports; 1 time reports are due by end of Feb. for vessels over 79’. On Jan 21st, there will be a webcast on line to explain small general vessel reports. On Jan 23rd, there will be a meeting at the Federal Building downtown to discuss the new small and large vessel reports.