The J. Bennett Johnston waterway is a navigational channel on the Red River, which serves as a vital conduit for affordable transportation, driving economic prosperity in the region. Currently, the JBJ waterway operates at a 9ft channel, passing through 5 Lock & Dams on Its journey upstream from the Mississippi River to Shreveport, Louisiana. 

 

This project's purpose is to develop and evaluate alternatives to improve the navigational transportation within the JBJ waterway. By maintaining a 12-foot channel in the JBJ waterway, transportation cost savings would be achieved due to a reduction in the requirement for industries to “light load”. Increasing the permitted draft through JBJ waterway and associated locks allows the industries to transport more cargo per trip, achieving a transportation savings.