Media Advisory - June 12, 2024 (New Seaway Visitor Center at Eisenhower Lock to Reopen on June 13)
Media Advisory
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jennifer Wilk
Telephone: 202-590-8115
Email: Jennifer.Wilk@dot.gov
Seaway Visitor Center at Eisenhower Lock to Reopen on June 13
The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) announced today that its Seaway Visitor Center at Eisenhower Lock will reopen tomorrow, Thursday, June 13. This is following a temporary 6-day closure due to water damage to the building interior caused by a severe storm in Massena, N.Y. on Thursday, June 6. The Seaway Visitor Center at Eisenhower Lock will reopen according to its regular hours 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. for 7 days a week.
“I am grateful to the committed team of GLS employees and contract teams who worked diligently to ensure a swift reopening of the Seaway Visitor Center,” said Adam Tindall-Schlicht, Administrator of the GLS. “We appreciate the patience and support of the Massena community and are excited to welcome many more visitors in the days, weeks, and years to come!”
In its previous iteration, the Center served as a major tourist attraction for North Country residents and tourists visiting the region since between 1961—two years after the Seaway opened. Since the grand opening on May 13, 2024, the new Seaway Visitor Center has received nearly 5,000 visitors from over 30 U.S. states, 2 Canadian provinces, and 4 other countries.
“We are delighted to be reopening our doors, and so soon,” said Amy Stark, Visitor Center Director and Community Relations Manager at the GLS. “There has been a tremendous interest, particularly by those who visited in large numbers from our hometown of Massena and the surrounding community. We’re grateful to everyone who fills our Center with smiles, laughter, memories and helps us share Seaway history and in creating the next chapter as well.”
Vessel traffic through Eisenhower Lock was unaffected by the storm, and the St. Lawrence Seaway operational status remains normal. For those who are interested in seeing vessels go through the Eisenhower lock there are several ways to obtain up-to-date information on estimated transit times:
- Call 315-769-2422, for a voice recording of that day’s projected lockage schedule.
- Review the Great Lakes-Seaway binational website at https://greatlakes-seaway.com/en/navigating-the-seaway/seaway-map/, which updates every 15 minutes with details on ships currently in transit within the Seaway System.
- For lock-specific information see https://seaway-greatlakes.com/vessel-transit/order-of-turn?LocationId=4765, which offers real-time information on vessels preparing to enter any of the locks (by pulling down the Order of Turn Information).
- Social Media: Facebook and Instagram @SeawayVisitorCenter
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