In the News

In 2021, about 500 million tons of waterborne cargo transited America's inland waterways, a volume equal to roughly 14% of all intercity freight.  These products, valued at over $158 billion, were shipped on the portions of our inland waterways system that generate revenue for capital improvements by a fuel user fee on commercial vessels.  

 

Much of that tonnage travels through some of the 219 locks at 176 sites on the inland waterways system.

 

But the lock and dam infrastructure keeping the system moving is aging - 80% of America's locks have exceeded their engineered design life.

 

 

$16 in annual net economic benefits to the nation are generated by the Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works Mission for every $1 expended.

(Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Statement by Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works on the President’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget

March 25, 2024   Tennessee Tribune

WASHINGTON —The Biden-Harris Administration today released the President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2025. Following historic progress made under the President’s leadership—with over 14 million jobs added since the President took office and inflation down two-thirds from its peak—the…

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MARAD Offers $500 Million for Port Development

March 22, 2024   Grain Transportation Report (U.S. Department of Agriculture)

The Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) published a notice of funding opportunity for $500 million in fiscal year (FY) 2024 funding through MARAD’s Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP). PIDP aims to modernize the Nation’s coastal and inland…

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Upper Mississippi River Shipping Season Opens

March 22, 2024   Grain Transportation Report (U.S. Department of Agriculture)

On March 17, a tow with 12 barges moved through Lock and Dam 2 in Hastings, MN, opening the Upper Mississippi River to shipping after its cyclic winter shutdown. In winter, the Upper Mississippi River closes to barge traffic because of cold weather and icy conditions.   As the widest location on…

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St. Louis: Ranked the United States' Most Efficient Inland Port

March 21, 2024   Marine News

Ports in the St. Louis metropolitan area collectively remained the most efficient inland port district in the United States, according to latest data from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). An independent analysis of Corps data by S&P Global Commodity Insights revealed that, in 2021 (the most…

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Inland Waterways: Measuring Impact State by State

March 21, 2024   Marine News

In February, the National Waterways Foundation (NWF) announced updates to its portfolio of state profiles characterizing and summarizing each state’s activity and standing within the Mississippi and central river inland waterway system (Pacific Northwest waterways are not included). NWF presents…

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Insights: Cherrie Felder, Vice President, Channel Shipyard Companies

March 21, 2024   Marine News

For Cheryl “Cherrie” Felder, the path to the maritime industry was both untraditional and seemingly meant to be. After studying African art, she began her career working in a museum in New Orleans before landing a role directing professional rodeo in the Big Easy. “It was a lot of…

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Demopolis: A Cautionary Tale for Increased Infrastructure Investment

March 21, 2024   Marine News

The nation’s inland waterways lock and dam infrastructure, largely constructed in the 1930s, has seen modernization and rehabilitation across the system, albeit very slowly. Despite those efforts, lock failures continue, and the risk of failure persists.   While the inland waterways network…

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Lock and Dam 24 to undergo long-term rehab project

March 19, 2024   Hannibal Courier-Post

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rivers Project Office, will begin a long-term rehabilitation project on Lock and Dam 24 in Clarksville, Mo. Work is planned to begin on or around April 1.   The lock and dam was constructed in the 1930's and became fully operational in the '40s. It spans…

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First tow through Lock 2 kicks off navigation season the Mississippi

March 18, 2024   Enter

MarineLink

The first towboat of 2024 passed through Lock and Dam 2, in Hastings, Minn. on Sunday, signaling the start of this year's navigation season on the Mississippi River.   The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' St. Paul District said it considers the first tow to arrive at Lock and Dam 2 as the…

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Biden signs strong budget for inland waterways construction

March 18, 2024   Workboat

Overall, the bill provides $8.7 billion for the Corps through Sept. 30, an increase of $1.27 billion over what the Biden Administration had proposed for FY24. Waterways Council photo President Joe Biden has signed legislation that includes a healthy infusion of funds to continue maintenance and modernization…

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