The U.S. Department of Transportation has expanded the U.S. Marine Highway Program by adding 848 miles of navigable waterways and approving 14 new sponsors, as announced by Secretary Sean P. Duffy. This expansion brings the network to a total of 27,139 miles across 35 routes, aimed at supporting supply chains, infrastructure, and workforce development.
A significant aspect of this expansion is the enhancement of the M-90 route through the Great Lakes, which connects Minnesota to New York over 2,345 miles. Seven new sponsors have joined this route: state transportation departments from Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, and New York, along with the Ports of Indiana and the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority.
"Coming from the Midwest, I’ve seen firsthand how maritime dominance isn’t just about our oceans," said Secretary Duffy. "Expanding the Marine Highway Program will strengthen the Great Lakes economy and other regional communities."
MARAD Acting Administrator Sang Yi emphasized local involvement: "By adding local sponsors to the Marine Highway Program who know these regions well, we can help more American communities and businesses prosper."
The program aims to ease congestion on road and rail systems by providing alternative shipping options that support economic growth in port communities. The USMHP awards federal grants for projects along designated routes, with route sponsors endorsing applicants for federal assistance.
Newly designated routes include M-23 (20 miles) co-sponsored by Kentucky and West Virginia DOTs; M-24 (382 miles) co-sponsored by Kentucky and Tennessee DOTs; M-165 (109 miles) sponsored by Kentucky Transportation Cabinet; and M-167 (337 miles) co-sponsored by Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development and Arkansas Waterways Commission.
The USMHP is accepting grant applications until July 15, 2025. Details are available on grants.gov.
Information from this article can be found here.
