Doyle to signal start of work in Kaukauna today

By Steve Wideman
Post-Crescent staff writer

KAUKAUNA — An effort to save historic hardware on the Fox River locks begins today, marking the latest move toward restoration of the 150-year-old system.

Today is Day 1 in the culmination of a 25-year struggle to reopen the locks, said Ron Vandehey, chairman of the Fox River Navigational System Authority, which was entrusted with care of the locks after the system was transferred in 2004 from federal to state control.

"We are calling today the kickoff of our entire restoration project. This is really a historic day for the system," Vandehey said.

Gov. Jim Doyle is expected to be on hand for a ceremony set for noon at Kaukauna Lock No. 3 on Augustine Street. Doyle planned to give the signal for a large crane to begin operations to stabilize the lock doors so hand-crafted hardware, some original to the locks, can be removed, repaired and reused when the Kaukauna locks are rebuilt in 2008.

"All of the hardware and machinery on the Kaukauna locks is almost all handmade and irreplaceable," said Bob Stark, president of Friends of the Fox, a group leading efforts to refurbish the 17-lock system and reopen a 39-mile stretch of river to recreational boating.

In prepared remarks, Doyle mentioned the economic benefit of the locks' opening.

"Rehabilitating the locks will mean that the Fox River Navigational System can once again be a catalyst for economic growth in Wisconsin," he said. "Parks, riverwalks, and restaurants will flourish along the shores of the Fox River, and historic boat tours and dinner cruises will navigate its waters."

Stark said the Kaukauna locks are in the worst shape and need attention before any restoration begins.

Restoration of the 17-lock system, a project estimated to cost about $23 million, will begin in 2006 when work occurs on the four locks in Appleton.

After the Appleton locks are done in 2007, the focus will switch to locks in Kimberly, Little Chute and Combined Locks. Work there is expected to be completed by 2008 or 2009, Vandehey said.

Restoration of the five locks in Kaukauna and construction of a boatlift at the Rapide Croche lock near Wrightstown tentatively is set for completion by 2009 or 2010.

Just three of the 17 locks have been operable since 1986 when the other 14 locks were closed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Vandehey said the restoration timeline depends on the success of a $6.25 million fund-raising campaign by Friends of the Fox.

"Otherwise we would have to wait for return on investments to generate enough money to complete the locks restoration. You would probably be looking at the system opening in 12 to 14 years," Vandehey said. "If you are going to make a contribution to the system you would like to see the fruits of that contribution sooner or later."