Kentucky's Capitol
(2009-11-18)
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Repair work continues at the Markland Lock and Dam near Warsaw, where a 280-ton gate collapsed in September and fell into the Ohio River. Barge traffic continues to move through a smaller, auxiliary lock, but at a much slower pace.
Photo courtesy U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Click image to enlarge)
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There are 20 locks and dams on the Ohio River, eight along Kentucky's northern border. In terms of tonnage, three western Kentucky locks are the busiest in the nation. Col. Keith Landry, Commander of the Louisville District Corps of Engineers, says Kentucky's locks have an annual nationwide economic impact of more than $7 billion dollars.
"Based on the money the Louisville district spent in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, over $500 million in personal income was generated, which led to $40 million in tax for the commonwealth," Landry told a legislative panel in Frankfort.
And that's just for fiscal 2008. Col. Landry says the locks and dams not only are safe, cost effective economic engines, they're green. A barge can move a ton of freight almost 600 miles on a single gallon of fuel. A train can move that same ton 425 miles, but a truck, only 65 miles.
(ADDITIONAL COMMENTS FROM THE BRIEFING)
Col. Landry says barge transportation is safe, cost effective and green.
"It's about two-thirds the cost of rail and one-tenth the cost of a truck," said Landry. "And it reduces congestion on the roadways - reduces CO2 emissions. And I think it's clear that barge transportation is the most fuel efficient method of moving raw materials needed by this country."
Landry says five of the eight locks on Kentucky's northern border are in need of significant repairs. He says Lock and Dam 52 in far western Kentucky is among the worst.
"We just put some money into 52," said Landry. "Fifty-two did have the worst safety categorization for dams. It was a DSAC-I, which meant it was at the highest risk of failure. We did some repairs to that and that should come down to a DSAC-II."
The Corps is also making emergency repairs to the Markland Lock and Dam near Warsaw, where a 280-ton gate collapsed in September and fell into the river. Barge traffic is still moving through a smaller, auxiliary lock, but at a much slower pace.
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