A significant infrastructure project on the Ohio River is moving forward as Trumbull-Brayman Construction Corp., a Pittsburgh-based joint venture, has been awarded a $770 million contract by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). This massive undertaking will focus on building a new primary lock chamber at the Montgomery Locks and Dam in Monaca, Pennsylvania.

The Montgomery Locks, located roughly 20 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, play an important role in supporting the region’s economy by allowing the movement of 12 million tons of goods annually along the Ohio River. Without the locks, transporting this volume of cargo would require over 400,000 trucks or 100,000 railcars, according to USACE officials.

The nearly 100-year-old Montgomery Locks are part of a system that has facilitated safe and efficient river transportation for decades. However, the aging infrastructure has increasingly struggled to meet modern demands, prompting the need for an upgrade.

The contract awarded to Trumbull-Brayman, a collaboration between Trumbull Corp. and Brayman Construction Corp., includes the removal of the current auxiliary lock chamber, which measures 56 feet by 360 feet. In its place, the joint venture will construct a new, larger primary lock chamber with dimensions of 110 feet by 600 feet. This upgrade will allow the system to accommodate larger vessels and improve the overall flow of river traffic.

This project is a key component of the Upper Ohio Navigation Project, a multi-phase initiative aimed at upgrading three major locks and dams along the Ohio River: Emsworth, Dashields, and Montgomery. These locks are vital arteries for commercial transport in Pennsylvania, supporting industries that depend on the efficient movement of goods.

The construction is supported by funding from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed into law in 2021. The act allocated more than $1 billion for the Upper Ohio Navigation Project.

Work is scheduled to begin in spring 2025, starting with the deconstruction of the auxiliary lock chamber. Once this phase is complete, construction of the new primary lock chamber will begin. Importantly, river vessels will continue to use the existing primary lock chamber throughout the construction process to make sure there is minimal disruption to river traffic.

The project is expected to take several years to complete, but once finished, it will improve the reliability and safety of getting along the upper Ohio River.

This upgrade is expected to have far-reaching benefits for both the regional and national economy. The Port of Pittsburgh, which relies on the locks, ranks as one of the busiest inland ports in the United States, handling commodities such as coal, petroleum, and agricultural products. By changing the locks, the project plans to sustain and potentially increase the volume The lock system’s ability to bring together shipments onto barges reduces reliance on trucks and rail, helping to lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduce road congestion. 

Col. Nicholas Melin, commander of the USACE Pittsburgh District, said “This work is crucial to ensuring the continued flow of goods that support our regional economy and the nation’s supply chain.” 

Both companies- Trumbull-Brayman- bring decades of experience to the table, with expertise in heavy civil construction and engineering. This partnership is expected to deliver a state-of-the-art lock chamber that meets the needs of 21st-century commerce.

With funding secured, experienced contractors on board, and a clear vision, the Montgomery Locks modernization is forecasted to make a lasting impact on the nation’s inland waterway system. For residents and businesses relying on the river’s transport network, the project promises better efficiency, safety, and economic growth.