Charleroi Locks and Dam Facility for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District, contracted DLZ for the stabilization of the existing Middle Wall at (Mon 4) Charleroi Locks and Dam. This delivery order consisted of performing design level investigations, to develop the designs for a “reverse cofferdam system” that would essentially result in a portion of the main dam being extended further downstream. Once stabilized, the existing middle wall was used as part of the cofferdam for constructing the new locks; the new project name will be the Charleroi Locks and Dam.

This stabilization ensured uninterrupted operation of the existing land chamber for transport of commerce while work commenced for the new locks within the existing river chamber.  When work is completed, the entire project will be one of the most efficient waterways in the world. The narrow and antiquated existing locks at Charleroi, which are located just south of Pittsburgh, are more than 70 years old and are the last major bottleneck in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers nearly $1 billion plan to improve navigation on the river.

DLZ engineers received an exceptional rating in the geotechnical and structural engineering service disciplines on the project.

Awards: American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Ohio Grand Award