In critical need of improvements
By Alexis Hunt
Sunday, October 28, 2007 at 7:50 p.m.
Many lock and dams on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers are in critical need of updates, including Lock and Dam 21 right here in Quincy. That's why congressman Phil Hare was in Quincy Saturday to tour the facility. Hare discussed with city officials along with the U-S Army Corp of Engineers the importance of strengthening transportation infrastructure along the Mississippi River.
This facility has been around for a long time and is in desperate need of improvements.
"It's old, very old", said Bill Gretten, with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers.
A U-S Army Corps of Engineers Representative told me that this lock and dam was designed to last about 50 years. It's far surpassed it's design life. Gretten says the lock and dam is already in bad shape, and if something's not done soon that could spell trouble ahead.
"It needs a lot of work mechanically, electrically, structurally to keep it reliable for the future," Gretten said.
Gretten told us the size of this chamber is 600 feet, which was the correct size when it was first built, but these days most tows are 12-hundred feet long, and that requires a double lockage and takes more time.
"A 600 boat could go through in 30 minutes, a 1200 ft tow has to be broken into two sections, lock through in separate pieces, and that can take from one and a half to two hours," said Gretten.
Gretten also told us they have to deal with break downs. The facility is so old, if a lock or valve break down, the system shuts down until it's fixed, and that causes even more delays.
Congressman Phil Hare says he understands the benefits of this facility to the region. That's why he's pushing for a water resources development act which will provide updates to seven locks and dams along the Upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers, the only hold up is President Bush's signature.
"This is an investment, not just in Quincy and Adams County but all up and down this river and in American Agriculture," Congressman Phil Hare said.
Hare says the WRDA bill provide projects for flood protection, ecosystem restoration and jobs.
"We're talking about economic benefits to the area. Think of the construction jobs that will be here for years to come," said Hare.
Improvements to the facility will cost millions of dollars, all that's needed is approval, and Phil Hare says that's one thing that's needed the sooner the better.
"If the president vetos it, we're going to overide it as soon as we can because we want the replacements and repairs to start right away," Hare said.
