Old Shawneetown boat ramp, decommissioned for 15 years, being rebuilt

A southern Illinois boat ramp, decommissioned for the past 15 years, is being rebuilt in Gallatin County.

Over the years, changes to the path of the Ohio River had slowly encroached on the Old Shawneetown Boat Ramp.

On Tuesday, Illinois State Senator Dale Fowler and State Representative Patrick Windhorst joined local leaders to announce the start of construction of a new boat access ramp, extension of two jetties into the river to prevent silt accumulation, elevation of the lower ramp, new riprap and rebuilding 2,000 square feet of parking.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

An $800,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity was received in 2021. Since then, the port district has completed permitting, surveying and drawing up design plans for the project.