River Navigation Crucial to Region's Continued Development

Press Release

River Navigation Crucial to Region's Continued Development

Southwestern Pennsylvania depends on its waterways as a way of transporting goods, providing jobs, and offering recreation. Congressman Tim Murphy (PA-18) joined Senator Arlen Specter and Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-4) at the Emsworth Dam today to highlight their continued efforts to fund repairs and upgrades to the areas locks and dams.

"Fixing the Emsworth Dam is long overdue as a major failure could lead to the shutdown of the Ohio River," Congressman Tim Murphy said. "Many of the locks and dams controlling local rivers are old and in danger of shutting down the waterways. Over the last five years there have been multiple failures in the system. One of the dams runs a 74 percent risk of failure at any time. If serious failure occurs a dam could be undermined, cutting off access to Pittsburgh. Local companies depend on the Ohio River to transport coal, steel, iron, petroleum, and other products. If the Emsworth Dams were to fail, 11,700 jobs would be at risk and lost wages could total $2.2 million per day.

Congressman Murphy, along with his colleagues from Pennsylvania, secured $15 million in federal funds to upgrade the Emsworth Dam in the 2006 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act. The Act outlines the federal government's spending on energy and water projects throughout the country. Congressman Murphy also secured $17 million for the project in the 2007 bill which passed the House of Representatives, but the Senate failed to reach an agreement.

"The Army Corps of Engineers is using the federal funds to continue the project of replacing dam gates, gate hoisting machinery, electrical power and distribution system, emergency bulkheads, and a permanent scour protection system," Murphy concluded. "Making these improvements will eliminate the risk currently facing the local economy and nearby communities. We will continue to work together to bring additional funds to the project so that the goods and materials can easily be transported in and out of Pittsburgh."

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