In a move geared towards bolstering the efficacy of America's transport network, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy has unveiled a significant expansion of the U.S. Marine Highway Program (USMHP). According to an announcement made yesterday by the U.S. Department of Transportation, 848 new miles have been added to the nation's network of water-based freight routes, bringing the program's total coverage to a robust 27,139 miles across 35 routes.
During the unveiling of the expansion, Duffy emphasized the importance of inland waterways, remarking, per the U.S. Department of Transportation, "Our nation's many rivers and inland ports are crucial resources to moving great American products to markets across the country and around the world." He observed from his Midwest roots, maritime prowess extends beyond the coasts to the heartland's robust river systems. The M-90 route, critical to the Great Lakes economy, has seen seven new sponsors join its ranks, including respective State Departments of Transportation and port authorities, all committed to strengthening regional commerce.
On top of expanding mileage, the USMHP program has welcomed 14 new sponsors, which promises to enhance local expertise in the marine transportation context. "By adding local sponsors to the Marine Highway Program who know these regions well, we can help more American communities and businesses prosper,” said MARAD Acting Administrator Sang Yi, whose words highlight the program's intentions to bolster local economies, as cited by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The inclusion of waterways like the M-23 Big Sandy River, M-24 Cumberland River, M-165 Green River, and M-167 Ouachita River, backed by state transportation departments and waterway commissions, reinforces the diverse array of routes that the USMHP encompasses. These new routes, each sponsored by regional stakeholders who are deeply familiar with their respective terrains, underscore MARAD's strategy of decentralized, yet interconnected, transportation development.
