In 2022, about 480 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 $186 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)
The 82' eWolf tug, which was designed by Crowley’s engineering services team, will operate with zero emissions while providing the complete performance capabilities of a traditional tug. Crowley photo Master Boat Builders, Coden, Ala., has delivered the 82'x40'x17'9" eWolf,…
Read More View SourceSeveral winter storms have barreled through the Midwest since the start of the year, bringing deep snow and bitter cold. In Iowa, where treacherous roads caused hundreds of accidents, snowpack grew up to 20 inches in some places — marking a winter with 180% more precipitation than normal,…
Read More View SourceIn a flurry of activity yesterday on Capitol Hill that had nothing to do with the snowfall, Congress avoided a government shutdown for the third time in recent months by passing another short-term funding measure to keep federal operations open for a few more weeks. The good news is that no federal…
Read More View SourceThe Mobile Engineer District has announced an emergency closure of Demopolis Lock, located near Demopolis, Ala., just below where the Black Warrior River enters the Tombigbee River, following a concrete failure at the lock’s upper miter gate sill. The closure, announced January 16,…
Read More View SourceEach year, when The Waterways Journal asks leaders in the inland waterways industry about the challenges and opportunities of the coming year, perennial issues recur: how to sustainably finance locks and dams; how to stay profitable amid the uncertainties and ever-changing weather of the rivers;…
Read More View SourceChallenge and opportunity often spring from the same source. Weather can burden or advantage; laws can restrict or empower. When asked about the year ahead, this year’s State of the Industry leaders reinforced this truth. Headline-generating crises of weather, transport and supply chains going…
Read More View SourceIce has vastly decreased flows on portions of the Illinois and Upper Mississippi rivers, with crews working in teams to break it up. Terry Bass, chairman of the Illinois River Carriers Association, said the Starved Rock pool on the Illinois River was experiencing ice building between Mile 235 and Mile…
Read More View SourceThe Port of Paducah Propeller Club has a new monthly schedule for 2024. Thanks to some corporate sponsorships, the club will now hold lunch meetings at noon the second Wednesday of the month at Walker Hall, 229 Madison St. No monthly meetings will be held in May, July or December, when the club hosts…
Read More View SourceCANTON, Mo. — The newest Corn Belt Ports office furthers its partnerships to promote economic development in the Tri-States. Thursday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opened the office in the Johnson-Turner Innovation, Design and Experimental Activities Center on the Culver-Stockton…
Read More View SourceWASHINGTON -- The U.S. Congress will begin legislative business for the year when lawmakers return to Capitol Hill this week, but members have already started work surrounding one priority of this congressional session. Members of the Senate and House of Representatives held their first hearings…
Read More View SourceThe House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hear from lawmakers Thursday about their priorities for the Army Corps of Engineers and the upcoming Water Resources Development Act. The committee and its Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment began gathering information to…
Read More View SourceWASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional leaders have reached an agreement on overall spending levels for the current fiscal year that could help avoid a partial government shutdown later this month. The agreement largely hews to spending caps for defense and domestic programs that Congress…
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