America’s Central Port Awarded $1.26 Million For 270-Ton Crane
U.S. Reps. John Shimkus, Mike Bost and Rodney Davis (all R-Ill.) announced June 9 that the U.S. Maritime Administration is providing a $1,268,800 grant through the Marine Highway Program to America’s Central Port in Granite City, Ill., as part of the port district’s Container Handling and Securing Equipment Project. Specifically, the money will support the purchase of a massive crane, 18 cameras and a container tilter.
“America’s inland waterway systems are vital supply chains for energy resources and agricultural commodities,” Shimkus said. “This federal investment will help keep those goods moving efficiently to and from the St. Louis region.”
Transporting a value of more than $1.1 billion in freight annually—with access to six Class-I railroads, two multi-modal harbors, four U.S. interstates, warehousing and multiple development-ready sites—America’s Central Port is one of the largest freight hubs in the Midwest.
“Every year, millions of tons of cargo and billions of dollars in goods are shipped through southern Illinois ports,” Bost said.
“Commercial barge traffic along the Mississippi River is crucial to the movement of American-produced exports for our economy. This grant will bring much-needed investment to ensure goods are moved efficiently and our regional economy is revitalized.”
Founded in 1959, the facility is home to two public multimodal Mississippi River harbors. The Granite City Harbor is a year-round 24-hour slackwater operation, handling 2,500 barges and 3 million tons of product each year, including goods such as grain, fertilizer, steel, chemicals and other bulk freight. The newly opened Madison Harbor is just south of Locks 27, providing open river barge navigation straight through to the Gulf of Mexico.
“This grant award to America’s Central Port will improve the flow of goods down the Mississippi River, bolstering our regional economy,” Davis said. “I’m glad to see the administration making overdue investments in our waterway infrastructure.”
