U.S. Senator Katie Britt is touting the passage of legislation that will help upgrade and restore vital water infrastructure throughout the state of Alabama.
The bill, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, will authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Program for projects to make several improvements to the Wilson, Coffeeville, and Demopolis lock and dams.
“Alabama’s inland water infrastructure is essential to Alabama’s economy and national security—moving feedstock, steel, energy products, components of the arsenal of America, and more,” said Britt (R-Montgomery). “The 2024 WRDA bill authorizes the construction of new, critical locks at the Coffeeville and Demopolis Lock and Dams and pushes the Secretary of the Army Corps to provide critical assistance to improve navigation at the Wilson Lock and Dam. This targeted, modernized investment in water infrastructure strengthens our state’s future.”
“I have long promised to focus my efforts on behalf of Alabama families and our communities—this WRDA bill does this in a big way that will help deliver for our state for years to come.”
Britt, a member of the Committee on Appropriations, secured provisions that direct the Army Corps of Engineers to provide needed technical assistance to address the current impacts on navigation at the Wilson Lock and Dam. Additionally, a provision directs the Army Corps of Engineers to expedite the completion of the Chief’s Report for the Claiborne and Millers Ferry Lock and Dam Fish Passage project in Wilcox County.
In November 2024, Britt led every member of the Alabama delegation in sending a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers advocating for Operations and Maintenance (O&M) funding for Alabama’s inland waterway system and expressing concerns over recent major lock failures.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten