Lock project holds promise of huge benefits for the region

July 23, 2008

Opinion

TRI-STATE residents next week should avail themselves of their first chance to see plans concerning lock upgrades in this region.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will host two information sessions at the Hannibal Inn and Conference Center at 4141 Market St. in Hannibal. Doors will open at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday, giving those in attendance a chance to view design drawings and speak with corps experts about plans to build 1,200-foot locks at five sites along the Mississippi River and two along the Illinois River.

These two-hour sessions will focus specifically on the lock and dam at Saverton, Mo., but will have much in common with lock upgrades at Quincy, Canton, Mo., and the other sites.

Much of the corps' presentations will deal with environmental factors. In addition, the exhibits will show how 1,200-foot locks will be added to modernize a lock system built in the 1930s. Plans call for the corps to keep the existing 600-foot lock chambers to act as backups if the primary locks must be closed for maintenance.

New locks will more than double the barge capacity on the rivers. Most barge tows measure nearly 1,200 feet long and at this time must be uncoupled to lock through in two separate procedures at each 600-foot lock. The new lock chambers will accommodate these barge tows and speed shipping.

One unique feature at Saverton is the plan for a fish ladder to allow aquatic life to move up-river or down-river.

Lock upgrades are, above all, a modernization of a transportation system. They hold the promise of speeding shipments of grain, coal, fertilizer and other cargo in a fuel efficient and environmentally friendly manner.

This region also will benefit from thousands of high-paying jobs during lock construction.

Construction of the lock and dam system brought a huge step forward for commerce and employment opportunities in the early 1900s. This new round of lock improvements will make similar contributions.

Those with an interest in the rivers, in the economy or in the environment should welcome the project and plan to attend one of next Tuesday's sessions.