Pete Buttigieg Secretary of Transportation | Facebook Website
The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) celebrated its 70th anniversary with the grand opening of a new visitor center at the U.S. Eisenhower Lock in Massena, N.Y., on May 13, 2024. Top officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation were present at the event.
Deputy Secretary of Transportation Polly Trottenberg expressed her pride in announcing the opening of the new Visitor Center at the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway in Massena, New York. She highlighted that "The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System is a driver of economic development and job creation in the region." She also emphasized that this new visitor center will serve as a cornerstone for tourism in the North Country region and will enable people from around the world to witness ships transit through the lock and learn about this vital part of the U.S. Marine Highway system.
Senator Chuck Schumer echoed these sentiments, saying, “The grand opening of the new Seaway Visitor Center at Eisenhower Lock is a big day for our St. Lawrence River communities." He noted that this event marks years-long efforts to bring much-needed upgrades to an essential transportation link and tourist destination.
During the grand opening ceremony, Deputy Secretary Trottenberg and GLS Administrator Adam Tindall-Schlicht were joined by U.S. and Canadian dignitaries along with Great Lakes Seaway System stakeholders.
This modern facility not only showcases the Seaway’s rich history but is also expected to draw over 100,000 visitors annually. As it opens its doors, GLS invites the public to explore this vital waterway's past, present, and future.
Adam Tindall-Schlicht, Administrator of GLS reflected on their journey stating that “As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Wiley-Dondero Act which created St. Lawrence Seaway, we reflect on how it continues to highlight its resiliency and importance as a global maritime supply chain."
The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System provides maritime commerce with reliable, efficient, and environmentally friendly cargo movement that supports high-quality jobs in the U.S. and Canada. More than 241,000 jobs and $36 billion in economic activity in the U.S. and Canada are supported annually by the movement of various cargoes on the Seaway System.