Illinois Congressman wants permanent lock & dam funding (audio)
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A member of the House Ag Committee says the U.S. government needs to ensure dedicated annual funding for the inland waterway system.
Eric Sorenson, who represents Illinois’ 17th district, tells Brownfield…
“I want to see this as part of the President’s budget.” He says, “We’ve got to make sure that we understand that the lock and dam system is as much infrastructure as a bridge over the river, an airport, or a railroad.”
He says a recent tour of Lock and Dam 16 on the Mississippi River demonstrated the need for modernization.
“Our lock system on the Mississippi River and on the Illinois River was designed in the 1920s and ‘30s.” He says, “We have 600-foot locks. That does not meet the needs of what we have today. It means that we’re not getting our exports to market fast enough.”
Sorenson says the waterway system is vital for all aspects of the economy.
“And that’s why I’m so focused on what I can do to get this type of funding into the federal budget, because then we’re going to be able to get it done.” He says, “You know, it isn’t just about fixing one lock. It’s going from Saint Louis to Saint Paul.”
