In 2019, 514.9 million tons of waterborne cargo transited America's inland waterways, a volume equal to roughly 14% of all intercity freight. These products, valued at $134.1 billion were shipped on the portions of our inland waterways system that generate revenue for capital improvements by a fuel user fee on commercial vessels. 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 70% of America's locks 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)
I. Money No one ever said it’s easy to understand federal budgets and spending plans. Nevertheless, a general sense of clarity and straightforwardness is critical for any review of public expenditures. This becomes more pressing when tracking revenue and expenditures linked to specific…
Read More View SourceBack in the bad old days of chronic underfunding and “fix as fail,” it was frustratingly familiar to see the costs of crucial lock and dam projects balloon out of control as stop-start appropriations from Congress made planning and execution uncertain. Industry often argued that better,…
Read MoreALTON — Workers and forms for concrete work could be seen Friday in the main lock at the Melvin Price Locks and Dam 26 in Alton as the three-phase project continues. The work closed the main lock, slowing barge traffic, at the beginning of the year. The current project is expected to last about…
Read More View SourcePresident Joe Biden released his Fiscal Year 2024 budget March 9 that requests $7.41 billion for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works program. That number is up from FY23’s request of $6.6 billion and represents the largest president’s budget request for the Corps in recent…
Read More View SourceThe St. Paul Engineer District locked the mv. Phillip M. Pfeffer with six barges through Lock and Dam 2, in Hastings, Minn., on March 12, en route to St. Paul, Minn. The tow, along with the mv. Neil N. Diehl, broke through the ice in Lake Pepin the weekend of March 11-12. The twin-screw,…
Read More View Source© Craig A Walker / Adobe Stock Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) recently held its annual Washington, D.C. meetings that included a Capitol Hill fly-in. WCI members from across the country participated in 100 meetings with House and Senate members to advocate for the nation’s…
Read More View SourceGroups representing waterway shippers and ports groups say the White House's $7.4 billion budget request for the Army Corps of Engineers fails to put enough of its trust funds toward construction and maintenance projects. The fiscal 2024 budget proposes no allocations from the Inland Waterways…
Read More View SourceLocated just 25 miles north of St. Louis in Alton, Illinois, the National Great Rivers Museum tells the story of the Mississippi River and its history, ongoing preservation and ecology. Next door, visitors can tour the Melvin Price Locks and Dam, a structure that facilitates barge and boat travel on…
Read More View SourceGroups representing waterway shippers and ports groups say the White House's $7.4 billion budget request for the Army Corps of Engineers fails to put enough of its trust funds toward construction and maintenance projects. The fiscal 2024 budget proposes no allocations from the Inland Waterways…
Read More View SourceBLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released its work plan for allocating funds provided in the fiscal year 2023 Energy and Water Development appropriations bill. The appropriations legislation funds the USACE Civil Works mission in addition to U.S. Department of Energy…
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