USA: Congressman Highlights Importance of Southern Illinois Waterways

U.S. Congressman Bill Enyart (IL-12) met with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx last week. The meeting consisted of 25 members of the House of Representatives Port Caucus.

“Southern Illinois sees a high volume of river traffic due to its placement between the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers,” said Enyart. “It is important that we discuss sound river infrastructure policy now, in order to maintain navigability in the future. Secretary Foxx was eager to discuss long term investment and upgrades to our area’s infrastructure which will have a positive impact on our entire transportation system in the country.”

Enyart stressed the importance of river maintenance and the necessity to keep inland waterways navigable and well maintained. Southern Illinois waterways are vital for agriculture, manufacturing, and labor for the shipment of raw materials, coal, crops, and manufactured goods along the Mississippi and other rivers.

Working with the barge industry is key to having long-term investment in repair and upgrades on the lock and dam systems, which are aging and in need of higher capacity.

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Press Release, May 14, 2014