The Louisville District is constructing a new lock and dam on the Ohio River at Olmsted. Tetra Tech INCA was responsible for preliminary and final design of the new lock approach walls, which will guide barge traffic and other marine vessels into and out of the new twin lock chambers in a more efficient manner. The approach walls are a component of the overall project design for the replacement of the two old locks at Dam No. 52 and Dam No. 53. The project will feature two 110-foot by 1,200-foot locks, a spillway section controlled by five tainter gates, a navigable pass, and a fixed weir section. Upon successful completion of the project, the waiting time in the locks will be decreased by half, while river traffic will be dramatically increased.

INCA developed this innovative design concept and prepared the final plans, specifications, and cost estimates for 4,000-linear feet of post-tensioned concrete pontoon floating approach walls and 600 feet of fixed approach walls. In addition to the structural analysis and design, INCA was responsible for providing electrical engineering, including power distribution, high-mast lighting, CCTV system, communication systems, pumping systems, and navigation lighting. The design accounts for impacts with a 15-barge tow that carries 60 million pounds of cargo and redirects this traffic into the lock chambers. Because the facilities are located in Seismic Zone III, the anchor pylons and nose piers required seismic analysis, including pseudostatic, response spectrum, ground motion determination, and time history.