New U.S. infrastructure funding will improve grain and energy shipments transported along the inland waterways thanks to improved port, lock, and dam upgrades, according to Paul Matthews, executive director of the Port of South Louisiana:
“We’re so grateful to Congress and President Biden for passing the Infrastructure Act. We all recognize the importance of infrastructure. Our port and the Mississippi River are connected to thirty-two states and two Canadian provinces.”
Tracy Zea, president, Waterways Council, Inc. based in Washington D.C. also hailed the impact of last year’s Infrastructure Act. He said new funding reduced the current $8 billion of backlogged lock and dam projects by $2.5 billion.
This leaves $5.5 billion in projects that still need funding.