HomeMy WebLinkAboutNew Lock at Kentucky Dam289
RESOLUTION
In Support of a New Lock at Kentucky Dam
WHEREAS, The Kentucky Dam Lock is one of the busiest locks on the Nations inland
waterway system handling over 45 million tons a year in waterway traffic;
'~~ and
WHEREAS, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has prepared plans for construction of a
new lock at Kentucky Dam to be completed by the year 2007; and
WHEREAS, To complete construction by 2007 initial funding of $11.5 million must be
included in the Fiscal Year 1999 Federal Budget; and
WHEREAS, As a result of increased shipping the waiting time for barge tows to pass
through the Kentucky Dam Lock has doubled over the last six years and
now averages ahnost eight hours per tow; and
WHEREAS, Conservative estimates of the cost benefit ratio for the $533 million project
to construct the new lock is $2.50 return for each $1 expended; and
WHEREAS, The old lock at Kentucky Dam is now 54 years old and by the year 2008
will have to be shut down for repairs if the new lock is not completed
before that date; and
WHEREAS, Closing the old Kentucky Dam lock to shipping for repairs would cost the
~~~' national economy half the cost of constructing the new lock.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND THE
COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF PADUCAH:
That the Mayor and the Board of Commissioners unanimously proclaim its support
of U.S. Corps of Engineers plans to construct a new lock at Kentucky Dam and calls
upon the Kentucky's Congressional Delegation to support an appropriation of $11.5
million in the Fiscal Year 1999 Federal Budget for the project so the new lock can be
completed and opened for traffic by the year 2007.
Albert Jones
Mayor
Adopted by the Board of Commissioners June 9, 1998
Recorded by Lenita Smith, City Clerk, June 9, 1998