USCG establishes safery zone, restriction on Mississippi River

The Coast Guard has restricted traffic on the Mississippi River from mile marker 110 near Chester, Illinois to mile marker 34 near Billings Landing, Missouri, Wednesday, the USCG said in a press release.

Capt. Richard Timme, Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley commander and Captain of the Port, restricted vessel traffic between mile markers 110 and 34 to ensure passing marine traffic does not put additional pressure on the Federal Levee Systems, while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers performs flood control missions.

Sector Ohio Valley has been conducting outreach with the maritime public, including Broadcast Notice to Mariners, available on VHF Channel 16.

This closure is expected to remain in effect until Jan. 3, 2016, but may be reevaluated based on changing river conditions.