Lock and dam to get $70 million upgrade
RED WING, Minn. (AP) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it plans to spend $70 million over two years to improve the lock and dam on the Mississippi River near Red Wing.
Funding will come from federal stimulus money. However, the project faces a long-standing conflict with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
The Star Tribune reports that the Wisconsin DNR objects because there's no fish passage, which would let sturgeon, paddlefish and other species easily get by the dams.
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Nonetheless, the Corps wants to go forward with the safety improvements because the lock has been the site of more than 100 barge accidents.
The project will create about 500 jobs. Most of the work will be done in the winter to avoid the shipping season.
The two sides will meet this week to discuss the project.