Mississippi river locks working again

WINFIELD, Mo. (AP) -- The Army Corps of Engineers says a lock on the Mississippi near St. Louis that had been closed for repairs since last week has reopened.

Corps spokesman Alan Dooley said Lock 25 near Winfield, about 45 miles north of St. Louis, was opened at 12:45 a.m. Tuesday. Barge and boat traffic began moving through the locks, after a massive backup began when the locks first shut down Wednesday.

By Monday, Dooley said nearly 200 barges carrying cargo were waiting to clear the lock. Pleasure boats and other vessels also were unable to move in the area until the repairs were complete.

The Corps said it knew of 13 barge tows that were waiting to clear the lock, or a total of up to 195 barges.