The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) has announced the availability of $10.8 million in grant funding for the America’s Marine Highway Program (AMHP).
The AMHP’s purpose is to encourage the use of America’s 25,000 miles of navigable waterways. It provides an efficient, sustainable and cost-effective transportation system – alleviating road congestion, reducing carbon dioxide, and supporting job employment within local communities.
The funding supports the enhancement of navigable waterways, including dredging, and expands existing waterborne freight services across the country.
“The America’s Marine Highway Program increases the use of environmentally sustainable practices to move freight across our transportation system.” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg .
Marine highways are all-water routes, often running alongside or near major highways. The AMHP helps to further integrate coastal and inland waterways into the transportation system, providing alternate options to traditional shipping methods.
Since its inception, the AMHP has designated 45 marine highway projects, 21 of which are currently operating.