A recent study commissioned by the National Waterways Foundation and U.S. Maritime Administration looked at the economic benefits of the lock and dam and inland waterway systems in the United States. Waterways Council Senior Vice President Deb Calhoun says the study was groundbreaking, as it was the first time four separate locks and dams were evaluated.
The four locks studies were on the Ohio, Illinois and Mississippi Rivers and in the gulf waterway in Louisiana. She says the study shows the need for major inland waterway upgrades. The challenge will be for Congress to come up with the right funding package to pay for it.
Calhoun says if for example just the one lock and dam on the Ohio River wasn’t available to help transport the nation’s commodities it would create significant safety concerns with an increase in the average number of trucks on rural highways.
Calhoun says the Waterways Council is closely watching to see what happens with tax reform and is hoping the next major legislation after that is an infrastructure package.
