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Smith: “Bad timing” on Corps work

Missouri Congressman Jason Smith says it’s bad timing for the Corps of Engineers to close down part of the lower Mississippi River for repairs.

“We’re facing one of the largest harvests on record and by closing that line of the Mississippi River with barge traffic – it’s devastating to all of our farmers and just all of the different industries,” Smith says, “Some (farmers) are extremely worried that these shipping delays on the harvest is going to make it where they never even make it to market. So, then you’re looking at indirect costs to all Americans.”

But, Corps spokesman Jim Pogue says it’s critical work, “This is an area where we had some significant damage to the bank from the flood of 2011 so we’re doing some critical work there to stabilize and protect that bank.”

Pogue says the work, south of Memphis, Tennessee, must be done while the river is low, “It also will impact the safety of navigation because we have to keep the river aligned as it needs to be. Plus, there is a significant flood risk management component to this, too.”

He expects the repairs to be done by Friday.

~Thanks to Missourinet