Americans will pay more for food and coal if the nation's extensive shipping system over river waterways isn't repaired. Many locks, which allow vessels to navigate uneven water levels, are past their 50-year lifespan. One barge can carry goods equivalent to the load hauled by 70 trucks or 16 rail cars, so a broken lock means huge setbacks for supply chains.
From the Wall Street Journal:
Read Full Article »A project to rehabilitate the Montgomery and two other nearby locks was approved by Congress last September, but funding has yet to materialize. If it comes through this year, the project is forecast to take 11 to 13 years to complete. In the best-case scenario, the Montgomery Locks could be rehabilitated around the time of its 92nd birthday in 2028—the same year officials predict the crack has a 50% chance of causing the lock to collapse.
