River Locks and Dams Upgrades Happening

Several locks and dams are on the Illinois and Ohio Rivers are scheduled to be upgraded this year. The inland waterways have been in need of repair and modernization for years. Soy Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek says that is the good news. “It’s good to see some of this needed infrastructure enhancement happening at key sites like the Illinois River. We’re starting to see some progress being made on the upper Mississippi River.” Steenhoek says the downside is those river channels will be shut down while the upgrades are made. “You don’t want to do this too early, but you also don’t want this to extend too late. That’s when harvest happens. This window of opportunity is narrow. We’re hopeful they can get it done in a prescribed period of time.” The project is expected to start in July and be finished in October.