Page 28: of Marine News Magazine (October 2023)

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Feature

Inland Waterways

Michel Sauret / USACE

INLAND WATERWAYS:

M I

AKING ROGRESS P

ON NFRASTRUCTURE

By Eric Haun he United States’ vast network of navigable in- gable rivers and enabling the ef? cient ? ow of commerce— land rivers is vital to the nation’s economy, serv- are in desperate need of maintenance and repair, or in many ing as an aquatic superhighway for the ef? cient cases, ? at-out upgrade. So WCI engages with industry and shipment of critical commodities like agricul- policymakers to help secure the funding that will move

T tural goods, energy products, building materials and in- these waterways projects along, and ultimately improve the dustrial chemicals to destinations within the U.S. and to ef? ciency of the system at great bene? t to the nation.

deepwater ports for export. The Waterways Council, Inc.

Breaking ground (WCI), which advocates for a modern, ef? cient and well-

In August, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pitts- maintained inland waterways, often describes the network burgh District held a groundbreaking ceremony at the as “the backbone of the transportation logistics system”.

Montgomery Locks and Dam facility to kick off the Up-

But much of the waterways’ critical infrastructure—in- per Ohio Navigation Project, part of the National Eco- cluding locks and dams that are vital to maintaining navi- 28 | MN October 2023