Blog: Seaway A Valuable Resource for US Freight; Greater Investment Would Further Tap Potential

Statement

It is one of this Department's most special assets, and perhaps our most unsung. I'm talking about the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway system --particularly the U.S. locks I had the pleasure and privilege of visiting yesterday.

If bundled together, the eight states and two Canadian provinces that share this system would comprise the world's third largest economy, behind only the U.S. and China. The bi-national Seaway is a vital, environmentally sustainable artery for trade into and out of the United States and Canada, supporting $34.6 billion of economic activity, providing America's Opportunity Belt with access to world markets, and supporting 227,000 jobs. The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC), which maintains and operates the two U.S. locks, delivers plenty of return value on America's investment in the Seaway.

I went to Massena, NY, yesterday to join SLSDC Administrator Betty Sutton in honoring local emergency responders and the men and women of the SLSDC. When the cruise ship Saint Laurent struck a bumper at the Eisenhower Lock, their quick and effective response ensured that passengers were able to receive the medical care they needed and the vessel itself was able to resume service in less than 48 hours.

Generally, there has never been a safer time to travel or move freight in our country's history. And we are getting better and better at preventing accidents from occurring. The Seaway is a part of this legacy. But in the event that an accident does happen, we have to be prepared. We need to have a plan in place. We need to have folks who are well trained and who know what to do. There need to be folks who are capable of mitigating damage and potentially even saving lives.

The men and women we honored yesterday are those well-trained, capable folks, and I thank them for their preparation and their quick execution last June when the Saint Laurent needed them.

While I was in Massena, I also saw some of the waterway itself --aboard the SLSDC tug Robinson Bay, the well-maintained locks, and the confident operation of the SLSDC team. I have to tell you that the Seaway is truly a rare combination of quiet beauty and human activity. It's also a tremendous resource for the farms, mines, and manufacturers of the Midwest, ensuring their freight can get safe, efficient access to markets around the globe.

But I also have to tell you that it could be an even greater resource if we could secure for it a greater investment.

For example, the "Robbie Bay" itself has been in service since the 1950s, maintaining buoys and navigation aids and breaking ice --among other duties. It's a well-maintained vessel, but it's past its prime, and the SLSDC is looking to replace it. That takes funding.

As our recently announced National Freight Strategic Plan makes clear, freight needs funding. But, as I said yesterday, in this environment we'll be fortunate just to hold the funding in place we currently have.

Now, I can shout it from the rooftops, but if we are serious about a transportation system that can support a 21st Century economy, Americans are really going to have to make it very clear to their elected representatives that yesterday's infrastructure won't meet tomorrow's needs.

I truly appreciate the service that the Seaway has provided since its opening in 1959. And I'm confident that the SLSDC will continue to provide that high level of service. But I can't help but wonder about the opportunities for greater service if we were to invest a little more in the Seaway's modernization.

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