New Orleans Port Faces Grave Challenges Ahead [video 8 min 34 sec]
In the second in a series of reports about the nation's crumbling infrastructure, Ray Suarez takes a look at the port of New Orleans.
This port is important because it lies at the juncture of the nation's largest river system and six of the most important rail routes, much of the cargo that comes into the United States goes through here first. Even before Hurricane Katrina the port faced budget shortfalls and was in need of repair and upgrade, now the situation is dire. The lock, or gate used to raise and lower the boats as they pass through the port, is too small for current loads and will not be able to deal with the increase in the flow of cargo.
There is a plan to fund the upgrade of the port, but the budget has yet to materialize. Louisiana says it doesn't have the billions of dollars needed, and with the current economic downturn and the federal deficit, government officials are worried they won't be able to fund the upgrades.
Read entire article at PBS Newshour
This port is important because it lies at the juncture of the nation's largest river system and six of the most important rail routes, much of the cargo that comes into the United States goes through here first. Even before Hurricane Katrina the port faced budget shortfalls and was in need of repair and upgrade, now the situation is dire. The lock, or gate used to raise and lower the boats as they pass through the port, is too small for current loads and will not be able to deal with the increase in the flow of cargo.
There is a plan to fund the upgrade of the port, but the budget has yet to materialize. Louisiana says it doesn't have the billions of dollars needed, and with the current economic downturn and the federal deficit, government officials are worried they won't be able to fund the upgrades.