The Chicago Harbor Lock, near downtown Chicago, is the transition point between Lake Michigan and the Chicago River for a variety of commercial and recreational vessels. The lock allows vessels to transit from the Chicago River’s stable elevation to Lake Michigan’s fluctuating elevation with ease.
The Harbor Lock is undergoing a series of renovations to maintain and improve the current facilities. J.F. Brennan Company is working with the Army Corps of Engineers to construct repairs to the Lock walls and floor. Westbrook and J.F. Brennan have teamed up to creatively engineer a quick and cost efficient repair plan.

The as-built plans for the Lock date back to 1936. The plans detailed Precast Concrete Panels to cover the floor of the lock. Over the 85+ years, these panels have shifted and settled unevenly presenting a hazard to high-draft boats and barges. Westbrook is using 3-D Contour Scans, and LIDAR Bathymetry data (provided by J.F. Brennan) in combination with the existing plans, to determine the extent of settlement, scour, and shifting that has occurred at the lock floor. From this data, we are assisting J.F. Brennan in creating an accurate means-and-methods plan to facilitate the repairs and partial replacement of the Chicago Harbor Lock floor. Anchored precast and cast-in-place elements will be incorporated into the design.

