$829 million upgrades coming to lock and dam system on Mississippi River
View SourcePEORIA (25 News) - Several State and National lawmakers were in Central Illinois Tuesday to celebrate a new infrastructure influx of cash. $829 million dollars to be exact for the Army Corps of Engineers to modernize and upgrade the “depression era” lock and dam system.
However, that money won’t be used here in the Heart of Illinois. Instead, it will be used to upgrade Lock & Dam 22 and Lock & Dam 25 on the Mississippi River. But just because it’s not going to upgrades on the Peoria Lock & Dam doesn’t mean it won’t impact the local economy.
Senator Dick Durbin, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, and State Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth all attended Tuesday’s announcement.
“Its an update that looks like a complete redo. If that makes sense. Because of our lock and dam system being so old. Literally its a depression era system,” explained Gordon-Booth.
The upgrades will greatly impact the agriculture industry in Central Illinois. Specifically corn and soybeans that pass through the Mississippi River. But not only that, it will create 9 million construction man hours for local laborers and carpenters during construction.
“Specifically, the funding will be used to complete the modernization of Lock & Dam 25, including the construction of a new 1,200 foot lock, as well as an environmental restoration project at Lock & Dam 22 and other small-scale ecosystem and navigation projects in the region,” said Bustos in a press release.
