Funding will be used to complete construction work on the Montgomery Lock and Dam
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced $857 million in federal funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to complete construction on the Montgomery Lock and Dam. This funding will support the replacement of locks that keep water levels high enough for large cargo ships to pass through the upper Ohio River in Allegheny and Beaver Counties. The project will create and sustain jobs in Southwestern Pennsylvania and enhance the region’s ability to move goods.
“The Port of Pittsburgh and the region’s locks and dams play a vital role in moving commerce, creating and sustaining jobs, and supporting economic growth throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania. This $857 million investment will help our region do just that,” said Senator Casey. “I have long supported efforts to modernize the Montgomery Lock and Dam, which will ensure that shippers can reliably deliver and take cargo from Pittsburgh to the rest of the world. Thanks to the Infrastructure Law, President Biden and Democrats are delivering jobs and resources to Southwestern Pennsylvania.”
“We are so grateful to Senator Bob Casey, Congressman Conor Lamb and Congressman Mike Doyle for their work securing this critical funding,” said Darrin Kelly, President of the Allegheny Labor Council. “Completing construction on the Montgomery Lock and Dam will create thousands of good jobs for our members & help our economy continue to grow. We thank our entire team of federal, state and local officials who have worked together so long to put western Pennsylvania at the top of the list and finally get this done. We know this is only the first of many victories they will achieve for our workers and businesses in western Pennsylvania in the years to come.”
“This is great news for the working people of Beaver County, and all of Western Pennsylvania,” said Larry Nelson, President, Beaver County Building Trades. “This project will not only create new jobs in the trades, but will also help increase commerce on our river.”
“The Port of Pittsburgh Commission wants to thank Senator Casey and those who helped to pass this historic legislation,” said Mary Ann Bucci, Executive Director of the Port of Pittsburgh Commission. “Senator Casey and Congressman Lamb brought Secretary Pete Buttigieg to Pittsburgh last Spring when we had the opportunity to show him the importance of our inland waterway system and the need for investment for our aging lock and dam infrastructure. We applaud the Senator for his leadership and commitment to ensure that the Montgomery Lock & Dam, and the entire Upper Ohio Navigation Project remains a priority in Washington. Not only are our waterways critical to the movement of freight in the region, but also the quality of life throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania.”
In addition to creating and supporting jobs, the funding will help to relieve landside congestion and provide more cost-effective transportation capacities, allowing goods to move through Pittsburgh and the surrounding area more efficiently. Separately, Senator Casey secured $21.5 million in congressionally directed spending for the Upper Ohio Navigation System in the Senate Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill. The bill is pending before the Senate.
