In 2017, 578 million tons valued at $220 billion were shipped on the fuel-taxed portion of our inland waterways system. 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 59% of the locks are over 50-year-old design life. By 2020, 78% of America's locks will 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 16th Annual Waterways Symposium, held in Pittsburgh, Pa. November 7–8, once again offered a packed schedule of substantive, thought-provoking presentations on topics of interest to the inland waterways industry. An impressive lineup of speakers explored the global economic outlook…
Read More View SourceThe annual Waterways Symposium and Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) annual meeting was held last week in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Michael Granché, manager of market development, along with Corn Board member and Illinois farmer, Kenny Hartman, attended the conference. While there, the…
Read More View Source“This river in general is very handsome, except at the rapid, where it is risking both life and property to pass.”—From the journal of Sgt. Patrick Gass, a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. It is 3 p.m. on a brisk and overcast Tuesday afternoon, the sun is already low…
Read More View SourceStudy: U.S. waterways need upgrading World-Grain.com – Kansas City, MO – 10/30/19 – Arvin Donley For many years, the United States’ waterway system has been the envy of other grain producing countries, many of whom produce bountiful crops each year but struggle…
Read MoreCLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED LOCK CLOSURES Marseilles Lock & Dam, RM 244.6 Starved Rock Lock & Dam, RM 231.0 Peoria Lock & Dam, RM 157.7 Lagrange Lock & Dam, RM 80.2 Marseilles Lock & Dam, RM 244.6 will be closed to all navigation at 0600 on 06 July 2020 and will…
Read More View SourceIn the July-August 2017 edition, Tony Munoz, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief of The Maritime Executive, wrote a critical piece on U.S. infrastructure or failing locks, dams, highways and bridges in “Can the U.S. Fix Its Failing Infrastructure?” Recently, the Congressional Budget Office…
Read More View SourceThe LaGrange Lock and Dam at Versailles, Ill., is arguably in the poorest shape of any lock in the inland waterways system. Pamela Glass photo. U.S. inland waterways stakeholders have notched some big victories over the last couple of years. The merciful completion of the $3 billion Olmsted…
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