In an effort to promote navigation and economic development regionally along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, members of Congress from Iowa, Illinois and the entire Missouri delegation today joined U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) in a letter to the Maritime Administration seeking Marine Highway designation for the M-29 and M-94 corridors.

The M-29 corridor, known as the Kansas City Connecter, stretches from Kansas City to Sioux City along the Missouri River.  The M-94 corridor, known as the Upper Mississippi Connector, stretches from St. Louis to St. Paul on the Mississippi River.   

“Both the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers are invaluable economic resources for our region and securing this critical designation from the Maritime Administration would expand our ability in moving products from the Midwest and distributing to the world,” Luetkemeyer said. “With the support of the entire Missouri delegation and Members from Iowa and Illinois, hopefully we can get recognition for the Kansas City and Upper Missisippi Connectors so that we can promote navigation on these two corridors and enhance economic growth.”

The Marine Highway designation allows terminals within a corridor to receive technical assistance and consulation from the Martime Administration. The Missouri River from Kansas City to St. Louis and the entire Mississippi River south of St. Louis have already received Marine Highway designation from the Maritime Administration.