Port of Pittsburgh Vies for Stimulus Money

The Port of Pittsburgh knows exactly how it would spend federal dollars if its approved for government stimulus funds next year. The top priority is the Lower Monongahela Improvement Project for Locks and Dams 2, 3 and 4. Port Commission director James McCarville says the locks are over one hundred years old and are sorely in need of repairs and retrofitting. The project was supposed to have been completed in 2004 and without government funds improvements may not be finished until 2022. McCarville says the locks and dams are an essential part of the regional economy, moving over 20 million tons of commerce down the river every year. The Port of Pittsburgh is working with a Congressional delegation to make sure its bid for $580 million dollars for all of its improvement projects is noted when the money is allotted.