Repairs Sought For Key Oklahoma Waterway

The Associated Press

MUSKOGEE, OK -- Transportation officials say the McClellan-Kerr Navigation System in northeastern Oklahoma needs maintenance, or there's a 50-50 chance of a structure failing in
the next five years.

Waterways branch manager Glen Cheatham Jr. of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation says such a failure would shut down the system that connects the Tulsa area to the Mississippi River. That could cost Oklahoma businesses $1.3 million per day.

Officials are seeking legislation to fund critical repairs to 20 structures along the waterway and also a change in how such maintenance would be funded.

There is currently an estimated backlog of $80 million in critical projects and $162 million in deferred maintenance.