Posted:
April 8, 2010
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood yesterday announced a new federal program to expand the use of America's marine highways. A new federal rulemaking will enable the Maritime Administration to designate certain rivers and coastal routes as Marine Highway Corridors, thereby promoting their use for short sea shipping and increasing their competitiveness for federal grants to enhance or establish infrastructure.
"For too long, we've overlooked the economic and environmental benefits that our waterways and domestic seaports offer as a means of moving freight in our country," said LaHood, addressing the Seventh Annual North American Marine Highways and Logistics Conference in Baltimore, Md. Using waterborne transportation rather than land-based modes reduces congestion and air pollution, makes the roads safer and "ensures shippers have viable options for moving goods around the country," he said.
The new rule will also recognize projects that would significantly contribute to national transportation goals, giving special "consideration to marine highway projects that represent the most cost-effective option among other modal improvements or reduce border crossing delays."
LaHood announced $7 million in competitive grant funds will be available for marine highway projects, with more details to come later this summer. Projects recognized under the new rule will "receive preferential treatment for any future federal assistance from the Department of Transportation or MARAD," according to the DOT.
"There are many places in our country where expanded use of marine transportation just makes sense," said Acting Maritime Administrator David Matsuda. "It has so much potential to help our nation in many ways: reduced gridlock and greenhouse gases and more jobs for skilled mariners and shipbuilders."
DOT announces new program to expand America's marine highway system
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood yesterday announced a new federal program to expand the use of America's marine highways. A new federal rulemaking will enable the Maritime Administration to designate certain rivers and coastal routes as Marine Highway Corridors, thereby promoting their use for short sea shipping and increasing their competitiveness for federal grants to enhance or establish infrastructure.
"For too long, we've overlooked the economic and environmental benefits that our waterways and domestic seaports offer as a means of moving freight in our country," said LaHood, addressing the Seventh Annual North American Marine Highways and Logistics Conference in Baltimore, Md. Using waterborne transportation rather than land-based modes reduces congestion and air pollution, makes the roads safer and "ensures shippers have viable options for moving goods around the country," he said.
The new rule will also recognize projects that would significantly contribute to national transportation goals, giving special "consideration to marine highway projects that represent the most cost-effective option among other modal improvements or reduce border crossing delays."
LaHood announced $7 million in competitive grant funds will be available for marine highway projects, with more details to come later this summer. Projects recognized under the new rule will "receive preferential treatment for any future federal assistance from the Department of Transportation or MARAD," according to the DOT.
"There are many places in our country where expanded use of marine transportation just makes sense," said Acting Maritime Administrator David Matsuda. "It has so much potential to help our nation in many ways: reduced gridlock and greenhouse gases and more jobs for skilled mariners and shipbuilders."