St. Lawrence Seaway reopens for 2010 navigation season

Last week I blogged about the arrival of spring in the nation's capital. Today, I am delighted to announce another spring ritual, this one celebrated on both sides of our northern border: the official opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway’s 2010 navigation season.

This U.S.-Canadian waterway is a vital maritime gateway that moves cargo between North America and international markets.

Since its opening in 1959 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Queen Elizabeth II, the St. Lawrence Seaway has carried over 2.5 billion tons of cargo, valued at over $375 billion. That's a lot of cargo.

And Seaway commerce now sustains an estimated 150,000 jobs, $4.3 billion in personal income, and $3.4 billion in business revenues each year for the regional economy. That's a few billion reasons to celebrate the Seaway's reopening today.

You can view a range of interactive maps at the Seaway website

DOT's Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) coordinates very closely with its Canadian counterpart, the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation. Jointly they manage rules and regulations, day-to-day operations, traffic, navigation aids, safety, environmental programs, operation dates, and trade development programs. This is a 24-hour a day, year-round partnership. And it works.

At the Seaway's 50th anniversary celebration last July, I stressed our commitment to making the necessary capital investments in the Seaway, so it can continue to serve us safely and reliably.  And we secured nearly $18 million to rehabilitate the Seaway’s U.S. lock facilities. This Asset Renewal Program is having a positive impact on the North Country economy and providing good jobs in these tough economic times.

The Seaway is a magnificent achievement, and its operation is fascinating. I encourage you to learn more about its history and technology at the binational website, www.greatlakes-seaway.com. It's a great introduction to a great resource.

I am very optimistic that the 2010 Seaway navigation season will feature an uptick in tonnage and ship transits as our economy recovers. However busy the Seaway gets this shipping season, I know our SLSDC will do its part to ensure the safety of the cargo and crews passing through this important waterway.

Comments

[Rob]

From "The St. Lawrence Seaway: 50 Years and Counting" (2009):

"In the early years, the seaway usually opened in early to mid-Apri [235 to 255 days open]. . .But milder weather, perhaps due to global warming [and some lock improvements] . . .The system is now open nine and a half months per year, or 285 days, and had its earliest opening in 2007"

http://www.greatlakes-seaway.com/en/pdf/Jenish_en.pdf

[Michael E. Bailey]

The St. Lawrance Seaway is the economic engine of the Great Lakes economy. Its impact on the entire region cannot be over estimated and if it is able to open earlier than normal that will be so much the better for the financial health of the Great Lakes economies on both sides of the border. The Seaway Corporation is doing a great job in repairing and maintaining the system of locks. The only thing I can think of is it would be nice to have someway that invasive foreign plants and fish that come into the Lakes on ships coming from overseas through the canal could be removed before the ship entered the Great Lakes system. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.