In an effort to reduce surface transportation congestion, the U.S. Department of Transportation introduced a new initiative to boost cargo movement on America’s marine highways. Under the initiative, rivers and coastal routes that can efficiently move cargo will be identified, all with the benefit of bypassing congested roads and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Maritime Highway Initiative as it’s called has its roots in a 2007 law to establish a short sea transportation system. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has announced $58 million in grants for projects to support the startup or expansion of Marine Highways services.

DOT to Establish Maritime Highways to Reduce Congestion, Emissions

The U.S. Department of Transportation on Wednesday, April 7, unveiled a new initiative to move more cargo on the water rather than on U.S. highways. Under the “America’s Marine Highway” program, DOT’s Maritime Administration will help identify rivers and coastal routes that could carry cargo efficiently, bypassing congested roads around busy ports and reducing greenhouse gases.

“For too long, we’ve overlooked the economic and environmental benefits that our waterways and domestic seaports offer as a means of moving freight in this country,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told transportation professionals at the 7th annual North American Marine Highways and Logistics Conference in Baltimore. “Moving goods on the water has many advantages. It reduces air pollution. It can help reduce gridlock by getting trucks off our busy surface corridors.”

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