Senate approves more funding for western Kentucky waterway projects

U.S. Senate approval earlier this month puts legislation on the President's desk that will benefit several local waterway projects.

The Water Resources Development Act of 2022 includes additional funding for the completion of the Kentucky Lock and Dam, expansion of the Eddyville Riverport and continued funds for local Asian Carp control efforts.

Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell noted that the legislation now brings total funding to more than $1 billion for the Kentucky lock and dam addition project, which includes completion of a new 110’x 1200’ lock alongside the existing 110’x 600’ lock. The first permanent concrete for the base of the foundation of the new lock chamber was poured last week.

Total cost of the decades-long project is estimated to be $1.5 billion. The work began in 1998 and it's hoped to be operational by 2030.

The legislation provides authorization for the sale of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-owned parcel of land to the adjacent Eddyville Riverport facilities on Lake Barkley, allowing the riverport to expand its capabilities. 

It also contains language that expands the effort to control and prevent the spread of Asian Carp, which have already disrupted recreation and tourism industries on Kentucky's inland waterways. 




(Photo: Nashville Engineer District)