Sen. Randy Brogdon has won unanimous approval for legislation urging the federal government to fully fund operations and maintenance of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, as well as funding to deepen and widen the navigation channel.“In 2006, Congress authorized spending $160 million to make improvements and modifications necessary to meet increasing demands on the waterway, but so far, they’ve only provided a portion of that funding,” Brogdon said. “Maintaining and improving the Navigation System is critical not only to Oklahoma’s economy, but to our national transportation infrastructure as well.”
Brogdon said the Navigation System is expected to see tremendous increases in container shipments by barge as part of the federal government’s recently enacted Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.“Oklahoma has fulfilled our commitment of constructing public ports and terminals along the Navigation System, and we’ve also made additional transportation infrastructure improvements, including roads and bridges as well as pier protection cells,” Brogdon said. “It is time for the federal government to live up to its responsibilities.”
Upon winning approval in the House, SCR 57 will be sent to the Secretary of State for distribution to the members of Oklahoma’s Congressional Delegation.
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