Illinois lies at the heart of the nation’s transportation network. With thousands of miles of roads and rail, hundreds of airports, and numerous public transportation providers, the State of Illinois has one of the largest multimodal transportation networks in the country. Each of these modes plays an important role in the state’s robust transportation system. However, one of the most important elements of the system has often been overlooked, the waterway system.

 

The Illinois Marine Transportation System connects Illinois farmers, manufacturers, and businesses to interstate and international markets. The system is vital to the state’s economy, transporting 90.6 million tons of goods, or 9% of Illinois’ freight tonnage. Barges flow up and down the Mississippi, Illinois, Ohio, and Kaskaskia rivers, and through the Chicago Area Waterway System and Lake Michigan providing an affordable, efficient, and clean means of transporting goods.