Westmoreland Review

August 08, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chief Deputy Whip Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), alongside U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA), as well as U.S. Representatives Chris Deluzio (D-PA) and Summer Lee (D-PA), raised concerns about shallow levels at the Elizabeth Locks on the Monongahela River. Miscalculations about the projected navigable depth during the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) ongoing project to remove the locks and dams have caused significant limitations on local boat and barge traffic. Currently, the water is too shallow for many commercial barges to navigate through the lock at full capacity, leading to reduced freight volumes and significantly costing the local economy. The members urged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to urgently act to fix the water depth issues to allow the river to continue supporting Southwestern Pennsylvania’s economy.

The lawmakers wrote: “We continue to call on USACE to prioritize the return of the nine-foot draft for commercial barge traffic and request the Corps provide ongoing updates to the regional inland waterway community. Any additional delays will have steep economic costs for Southwestern Pennsylvania. Keeping this waterway safe and navigable in the long run is critical to the region’s economy and way of life.”

The removal of the Elizabeth Locks and Dam is part of a broader effort to modernize the Monongahela River, a key waterway for Southwestern Pennsylvania’s economy and community recreation. Earlier this summer, USACE began the dam removal project, with help from the U.S. Coast Guard to keep the river safe and navigable during the project.

Reschenthaler has supported numerous Congressional efforts benefiting Pennsylvania’s river systems:

In March 2024, Reschenthaler secured $41 million in community project funding for Army Corps of Engineers Construction Locks and Dams 2, 3, 4 on the Monongahela River through appropriations for FY2024.

In November 2023, Reschenthaler led a letter to USACE outlining concerns for commercial and recreational access to Allegheny River – specifically its lock and dam system.

In July 2024, Reschenthaler secured $205 million in construction funds for inland waterways construction projects in Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act for FY2025, which passed House Appropriations Committee. The Upper Ohio project in Allegheny and Beaver counties would be eligible for these funds.

In July 2024, Reschenthaler supported House passage of H.R. 8812, Water Resources Development Act of 2024. The bill includes report language encouraging Corps collaboration with federal/non-federal interests on opportunities for waterway freight diversification, multi-modal facility development, among other economic development opportunities for Allegheny River Corridor viability.

Read more here.