Federal officials have terminated the primary construction contract for the Chickamauga Lock replacement project after concerns over the pace of work and overall progress.

According to Local 3 News, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ended its agreement with the contractor overseeing the long-running infrastructure project along the Tennessee River near Chattanooga.

The Chickamauga Lock replacement project has been underway for years and has faced repeated delays and rising construction costs. The aging existing lock has long been considered one of the most critical bottlenecks for commercial river traffic in the eastern United States.

The replacement lock is designed to improve navigation efficiency for barges transporting goods throughout the Tennessee Valley and beyond. Business and transportation leaders have repeatedly emphasized the project’s importance to regional commerce and economic development.

Federal officials say they are now evaluating the next steps needed to continue the project and determine how construction will move forward. No immediate timeline has been announced regarding selection of a new contractor or revised completion estimates.