The Port of New Orleans Board of Commissioners has passed a resolution supporting a Public Private Partnership Pilot Program (P5) for the Illinois River, in particular.  The resolution highlights the need for a system to cost-effectively and efficiently make necessary improvements to U.S. waterways.  The approach also is supported by the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (WRRDA). The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) has been nurturing such an approach for the past few years, including discussions with port authorities and towboat operators from across the system, New Orleans and throughout the nation.  ISA has been working with the Port of New Orleans and other industry partners to highlight the positive impact infrastructure repairs will have on the transportation system and the possibility of the P5 initiative to solve funding concerns. Scott Sigman, ISA transportation and export infrastructure lead, says there is a great need for improvements in Illinois waterways, but renovations have not been addressed in recent years. The P5 initiative could be a key part of the solution to this problem.  "Outdated infrastructure causes delays in grain transportation," he says.  "Industry partnerships in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) bring together the resources needed to improve the reliability of the Illinois River's locks and dams."  The P5 program consists of a set of projects funded by both private bonds and federal funds to renovate eight existing locks and dams located within the Illinois Waterway; Thomas J. O’Brien, Lockport, Brandon Road, Dresden Island, Marseilles, Starved Rock, Peoria and New LaGrange. Sigman says the resolution is a significant step for the P5 initiative.  "The transportation projects we are pursuing through the P5 initiative have potential benefits that would be recognized nationwide," he says.  "The Illinois Waterway is a key conduit for soybean transport from Illinois farms to the Mississippi River, and ultimately to an export position at the Gulf Coast."  Paul Rasmussen, Genoa, Ill., soybean farmer and ISA director, agrees efficient transportation is key to soybean farmer profitability.  "International customers prefer U.S. soybeans for their predictable transit time," he says.  "With more than 55 percent of Illinois soybeans destined for export, infrastructure improvements are essential to maintaining our international demand."