Washington, D.C. — Today, Reps. Mike Bost (IL-12) and Rodney Davis (IL-13) toured the Melvin Price Locks and Dam in East Alton and conducted a stakeholder’s meeting at the American Central Port in Granite City.  Bost and Davis are gathering input on Metro East water infrastructure issues in advance of the upcoming reauthorization of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).

“As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, it’s important to me to see firsthand the condition of waterways infrastructure in Southern Illinois and what Congress can do to support it,” said Bost.  “Today’s meeting with local stakeholders provided valuable insights that I can take back with me to Washington.  The Metro East region is a hub for the Midwest’s transportation network, a network that, in turn, really drives economic vitality in our region.”

"Our region’s waterways, chief among them the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, are a critical part of our economy,” said Davis. "We have a responsibility to upgrade and repair our waterways and this begins by reauthorizing a water resources bill every two years. Last Congress, we came together to pass the first water reauthorization in nearly seven years to streamline the approval process, increase the use of public-private partnerships, and help address the large backlog of projects. I want to build on these successes in the next bill and continue to cut through red tape that's preventing even greater economic growth.”