Ohio River Scenic Byway - Illinois
Olmsted Locks and Dam, IL

The continuing growth in demand for waterborne commerce on the Ohio River requires periodic improvements in the waterways transportation infrastructure. In 1994, over 100 million tons of goods were shipped through the lower reach of the Ohio River. The antiquated design and age of the current Locks and Dams in the area make it impossible to meet current traffic demands. Thus, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the navigation industry will replace these aged facilities with one of the largest civil works projects undertaken by the Corps. The new locks and dam project is being constructed near Olmstead. The Olmsted project will be sufficient to meet projected demands for tow traffic through the year 2025. The project is scheduled to be completed in the year 2006.