U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District has awarded the final major construction contract for the Chickamauga Lock Replacement Project, marking a significant milestone for one of the region’s most important navigation infrastructure upgrades.
The Approach Wall and Decommissioning Contract was awarded to C.J. Mahan Construction Company LLC, officially setting the stage for the final phase of work at Tennessee River mile 471 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
USACE is awarding a base contract valued at $192,143,924.90. Under the agreement, C.J. Mahan will construct downstream approach walls, breach the existing dam to connect the upstream approach to the new lock, bring the new lock into operation, and remove the existing cofferdam.
“We are proud to award this contract for this important navigation infrastructure project. The entire USACE team managing this project is ready to work with our contract partner and move the project to the finish line and deliver a new and larger operational lock,” said Lt. Col. Guillermo Guandique, Nashville District commander.
C.J. Mahan Construction Company, headquartered in Urbancrest, Ohio, specializes in heavy-civil and marine infrastructure projects. The firm has experience delivering complex works including lock chambers, dams, gate structures, piers, industrial docks, barge facilities, and deep-water cofferdams.
The next phase of work will begin with the development of a detailed construction schedule for the Approach Wall and Decommissioning activities, followed by mobilization to the site.
Construction tied to the final contract will begin once upstream approach wall work is completed and portions of the cofferdam area are released by the lock chamber contractor. Current lock chamber construction, led by Shimmick Construction Company Inc., is approximately 76% complete. Meanwhile, upstream approach wall construction — also performed by C.J. Mahan — is roughly 70% complete as of February 2026 and remains on schedule.
The coordination between contractors is critical to maintaining project momentum and minimizing disruptions to navigation traffic along the Tennessee River.
Once operational, the new lock will significantly improve freight and recreational vessel movement along the Tennessee River.
Navigation traffic will shift to the new lock during the Approach Wall and Decommissioning phase. The upgraded lock will accommodate nine jumbo barges (35 feet by 195 feet) in a single lockage, compared to just one barge per lockage in the existing structure — an 80% increase in efficiency for commercial operators.
“When complete, recreational vessels and commercial tows will maintain access to 318 miles of navigable waterways upstream, and tows will more efficiently deliver commodities up and down the Tennessee River,” said Bob Winters, Nashville District project manager.
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The Chickamauga Lock Replacement Project has been a long-term federal infrastructure priority, designed to replace the aging original lock and reduce costly delays for commercial shippers. The Tennessee River serves as a vital corridor for transporting commodities such as coal, grain, aggregates, and manufactured goods.
By modernizing the lock system, USACE aims to strengthen regional supply chains, reduce wait times for commercial vessels, and improve safety for both recreational boaters and industrial operators.
With the final contract now awarded, the project moves into its concluding phase — bringing the decades-long effort closer to delivering a modernized navigation system that supports economic growth throughout the Tennessee Valley.
Originally reported by U.S. Army.
