In 2019, 514.9 million tons of waterborne cargo transited America's inland waterways, a volume equal to roughly 14% of all intercity freight. These products, valued at $134.1 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.
The average age of these locks is over 60 years, and 70% of America's locks have exceeded their intended 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)
The Corps of Engineers is seeking public input on a proposal to deepen the navigation channel on the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS) to 12 feet. The Corps’ Little Rock and Tulsa districts will hold four workshops this week to provide information about the project…
Read More View SourceIMX 10th IMX Sets Records In Nashville JUNE 2, 2023 BY SHELLEY BYRNE The Inland Marine Expo, hosted by The Waterways Journal, celebrated its 10th edition in a new city in 2023, and the journey to Nashville, Tenn., brought along with it both record-setting verified attendance and number of exhibitors.…
Read More View SourceIf all goes according to plan, barging between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River will be a lot more complicated from June until the end of September. Just like in 2019 and 2020, the Army Corps of Engineers has closed the Illinois Waterway for 120 days to perform much-needed repairs to three…
Read More View SourceBLOOMINGTON, Ill. — After decades of advocacy, education, diligence and tenacity, the Illinois Corn Growers Association celebrated the groundbreaking of brand-new, 1,200-foot Lock 25 along the Mississippi River near Winfield, Missouri. “The important advancement would not be happening…
Read More View SourceStaff Photo By Olivia Ross / Work on the new Chickamauga Lock continues earlier this week, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers celebrating the first “topped out” concrete monolith in the replacement project. If U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Ooltewah, has his way, $263.9 million in…
Read More View SourceA crowd of just under a hundred people attended the May 18 groundbreaking of an expanded 1,200-foot chamber at Lock and Dam 25 on the Mississippi River at Winfield, Mo., north of St. Louis. It was the culmination of a decades-long odyssey for many among the attendees, a generational event and…
Read More View SourceAfter years of authorization and studies but no funding to speak of, the Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program is taking off, thanks to a big shot of funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Congress formally authorized NESP in 2007, but its history stretches all the…
Read More View SourceMAY 26, 2023 BY PAUL ROHDE A pair of events chosen presumably to coincide with the Biden administration’s “Infrastructure Week” began with perfect weather on May 18, celebrating the first ecosystem restoration project on the Upper Mississippi River under the Navigation…
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