LaHood, Davis hail $57M in federal funds to restore home state’s LaGrange Lock and Dam

U.S. Reps. Darin LaHood (R-IL) and Rodney Davis (R-IL) last week commended approval by the Trump administration of $57.5 million in fiscal year (FY) 2019 federal funds that will be used to continue infrastructure rehabilitation work in their home state.

The funds, allocated to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will be used to upgrade the LaGrange Lock and Dam in Versailles, Ill., on the Illinois River. Earlier this year, the congressmen praised the initial $10 million allocated for FY 2018 to begin the project.

“Our lock and dam systems on the Illinois River are critically important in getting our products to market and rehabilitation projects like this are much needed to ensure products can move effectively and efficiently around the world,” Rep. LaHood said in a Nov. 21 statement. “Inland waterway systems are vital to our agriculture economy in central and west-central Illinois.”

Rep. LaHood noted that he and Rep. Davis helped ensure the $57.5 million was included for the La Grange Lock in the FY 2019 work plan.

The LaGrange Lock and Dam accommodates a large flow of barge traffic, most of which includes agricultural commodities, according to the lawmaker’s statement. In service since 1939, the lock hasn’t received any significant upgrades since 1988 and it now requires restoration of its concrete, electrical and mechanical systems, according to LaHood’s office.

Rep. Davis pointed out that “frequent shutdowns at LaGrange continue to have a negative impact on our region’s economy.” The new influx of federal funding “will ensure farmers and other users of our waterways have access to this critical mode of transporting and exporting what they grow and produce.”

“I am very pleased to see this administration continue to invest in critical navigation infrastructure like LaGrange,” added Rep. Davis.