Corps enters into agreement with the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury to extend operating hours at Calcasieu River Saltwater Barrier

Published Sept. 23, 2014

NEW ORLEANS - On September 16, 2014, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District and the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury signed a Memorandum of Agreement that provides for extended operating hours of the Calcasieu River Saltwater Barrier (CRSWB). Under this agreement, the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury (CPPJ) has offered to contribute funds that allow the extension of the operating hours at the structure. Beginning October 5, 2014, the following will be the operating hours for the structure.

Sunday through Thursday, 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. (16 hours per day)
Friday, 6:00 a.m. through 12:00 a.m. (18 hours per day)
Saturday, 6:00 a.m. through 12:00 a.m. (18 hours per day)

Note: CRSWB will remain open until mid-night from Thursday through Sunday for the 2 weekends in May that coincide with the annual Contraband Days Festival, and will remain open until mid-night each year for July 4th (for the days that fall on a Sunday through Thursday) upon request of local government

On December 31, 2012, the operating hours at the Calcasieu River Saltwater Barrier (CRSWB) was reduced from 16 hours per day, 7 days a week to 12 hours per day, 7 days per week. Reduction in levels of service was a result of a nationwide effort to maximize constrained funding and provide consistent levels of service throughout the Corps’ Inland Marine Transportation System consisting of 12,000 miles of inland waterways and 200 locks and dams. The cost savings from these efforts will be applied to dredging functions and maintenance of locks to reduce closures and improve system reliability.

CRSWB is a feature of the Calcasieu River and Pass Operations and Maintenance project and will continue to perform its function of minimizing salinity north of the structure.

 


Contact
Rene Poche
504-862-1767
rene.g.poche@usace.army.mil

Release no. 14-053