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Report Says Illinois Waterways Are "In Crisis"
Illinois' commercial waterways are in desperate need of repairs, according to a new report by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce Infrastructure Council.

"Waterways in Crisis" outlines the vital role that cargo shipping on Illinois' rivers plays in the regional economy. The rivers carry more than 110 million tons of material to, from and through the state each year.


The report says that the locks and canals that make Illinois' rivers navigable are becoming more unreliable every day. The report points out that a breakdown in the system would cause billions in commerce to be stopped and add traffic congestion as well as additional air pollution.

Work on the report began before talk of a nationwide economic stimulus package. It is being released to Illinois lawmakers in hopes that state leaders will support a "major infusion of resources" to shore up the state's commercial waterways.

A $132 million construction plan has been started to address deteriorating locks, but the federal government has appropriated only 40 percent of the needed funds. Because Illinois' major rivers are federal commercial waterways, all funding for the project would come from the federal government.

A study by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters estimates at least 1 million man-hours per project.

The complete report is available by CLICKING HERE.

(Illinois Radio Network)
02 23 09 by Newsroom
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