LAMB ANNOUNCES $857.7 MILLION FROM BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW TO COMPLETE RECONSTRUCTION OF MONTGOMERY LOCK AND DAM

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17) announced today that the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will receive $857.7 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to complete all construction work to rebuild the Montgomery Lock and Dam on the Ohio River.  This critical funding will provide long overdue reconstruction to the Upper Ohio Navigation lock and dam system, which has exceeded its anticipated useful life, and ensure the region’s waterways continue to strengthen the region’s economy.

“River traffic is something few people think about unless it is shut down.  The Montgomery Lock and Dam is nearly 100 years old and if it collapses, we could lose thousands of jobs and add thousands of trucks to our roads, meaning more pollution and traffic.  This funding is essential and the result of years of advocacy and old-fashioned, hard legislative work,” said Lamb.

Today’s announcement builds on years of bipartisan work and progress to secure funding for this system.  Congressman Lamb secured $22 million for a Construction New Start award in early 2021, which allowed the Army Corps to finish its pre-construction engineering and design.  Today’s announcement would not be possible without this work.  In 2020, Lamb announced that the Upper Ohio project received $7.7M for the initial funding for the engineering and design.  He also led a bipartisan letter in 2019 with colleagues from the region and testified at the Energy and Water Appropriations subcommittee highlighting the importance of the project.

“The inland navigation system is a crucial contributor to national and regional economic success,” said Col. Adam Czekanski, commander of the Pittsburgh District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  “Receiving this supplemental funding will ensure this crucial inland navigation facility continues to provide the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly means of moving bulk commodities for decades to come.  We appreciate the continued strong Congressional support for this project.”

“We are so grateful to Senator Bob Casey, Congressman Conor Lamb and Congressman Mike Doyle for their work securing this critical funding,” said Darrin Kelly, President, Allegheny-Fayette Central Labor Council.  “Completing construction on the Montgomery Lock and Dam will create thousands of good jobs for our members & help our economy continue to grow.  We thank our entire team of federal, state and local officials who have worked together so long to put western Pennsylvania at the top of the list and finally get this done.  We know this is only the first of many victories they will achieve for our workers, businesses and residents in western Pennsylvania in the years to come.”

“We are grateful for Congressman Lamb’s leadership in securing this investment,” said Matt Smith, President, Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce.  “Investment in our waterways is uniquely critical for both the Pittsburgh region’s economy and quality of life. This funding will help us build a stronger economy for all and attract business investment to our region, as well as attract and retain talent.”

"The Port of Pittsburgh Commission wants to thank Congressman Lamb and those who helped to pass this historic legislation," said Mary Ann Bucci, Executive Director, Port of Pittsburgh Commission.  "Congressman Lamb and Senator Casey brought USDOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg to Pittsburgh last Spring when we had the opportunity to show him the importance of our inland waterway system and the need for investment for our aging lock and dam infrastructure.  We applaud the Congressman for his leadership and commitment to ensure that the Montgomery Locks & Dam, and the entire Upper Ohio Navigation Project, remains a priority in Washington. Our waterways are critical to not only the movement of freight but also the quality of life throughout our region and the Commonwealth.

Congressman Lamb will continue work to rebuild the entire Upper Ohio Navigation system, including funding to repair the Emsworth and Dashields dams, critical components of the Upper Ohio Navigation system.  According to the Army Corps, more than 15 million tons of commodities pass through the Upper Ohio River system annually, supporting thousands of jobs and companies.

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