A recent tour of the Mississippi River by Midwest Members of Congress and farmers showed them the deteriorating state of the locks and dams. Those are critical for shipping agricultural commodities to foreign customers. Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth said the locks and dams are outdated and it is literally duct tape and bailing wire holding them together. Waterways Council Senior Vice President Deb Calhoun says there’s a lot of upgrade work that must be done.

She says inland waterways are the least expensive way for farmers and ranchers to get their commodities to export markets.

Calhoun says President Trump wants to pay for infrastructure upgrades through public private partnerships, however that must be handled carefully so the cost isn’t dumped on ag producers.

Calhoun says the biggest problem that needs to be resolved is how to pay for the infrastructure upkeep.