Safety drives progress at Kentucky Lock Addition Project

GRAND RIVERS, Ky. (Oct. 5, 2026) – Thalle Construction Company, in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, celebrated a historic safety miles… GRAND RIVERS, Ky. (Oct. 5, 2026) – Thalle Construction Company, in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, celebrated a historic safety milestone last week, surpassing 3 million labor hours without a lost-time accident during construction of the new, larger navigation lock on the Tennessee River. USACE leadership recognized the remarkable achievement at the Kentucky Lock Addition Project during a special contractor-hosted jobsite safety standdown, which included an appreciation luncheon Sept. 30, thanking the craft workforce for their relentless commitment to safety while delivering a project of national significance.

During the event, Pittsburgh District acting commander Lt. Col. Albert Butler (since promoted to colonel) and Nashville District Commander Lt. Col. Guillermo Guandique addressed the workforce and resident office teams. Both leaders emphasized that maintaining this world-class safety posture is directly linked to operational readiness, preventing project delays, and ensuring the timely delivery of vital inland waterways infrastructure. This construction and safety management is provided through a joint regional partnership between Pittsburgh and Nashville Districts. Alongside contractor Thalle Construction Company, they are building a new 1,200-foot by 110-foot navigation lock chamber 22 miles upstream from the Tennessee River’s confluence with the lower Ohio River. This massive,