en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Ports of Indiana hosted U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy at Burns Harbor for a tour and discussions centered on the port's expansion project and Great Lakes infrastructure investments. These investments aim to advance the Trump administration's agenda of restoring U.S. maritime dominance.

Since taking office, Secretary Duffy has expanded the U.S. Marine Highway Program by nearly 900 miles, including enhancements to the M-90 route in the Great Lakes region, while also announcing nearly $1 billion in port investments for critical upgrades at inland river and Great Lakes ports.

Located in Indiana, Burns Harbor is within a 12-hour drive of 80% of the U.S. population, making it a strategically positioned multimodal hub. The port connects local businesses to global markets via the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway, provides direct access to the inland waterway network, and is served by 16 railroads in the Chicago metropolitan area.

Secretary Duffy stated that the Great Lakes and inland waterways are critical arteries of the U.S. freight network, a fact he witnessed firsthand at Burns Harbor. He emphasized that under President Trump's leadership, the Great Lakes region has received the support it deserves, and he looks forward to working with port partners to modernize cargo terminals, create high-paying jobs, and drive growth in manufacturing, agriculture, and small businesses.

Jody Peacock, CEO of the Ports of Indiana, said that federal transportation funding has become a catalyst for growth at Indiana's three ports, bringing jobs, investment, and supply chain strengthening. The agency looks forward to collaborating with Secretary Duffy on America's Maritime Action Plan to further leverage the economic opportunities presented by the Great Lakes and inland waterways.

In addition to building the only international maritime container terminal in the Chicago metropolitan area, Burns Harbor is nearing completion of a $100 million expansion project, including the construction of new docks and rail infrastructure, and plans to reopen one of the largest grain export facilities on the Great Lakes. These projects aim to position northwestern Indiana as a global trade gateway and enhance the competitiveness of the Great Lakes as a freight corridor.

Indiana's Lake Michigan border ranks first in the Great Lakes marine economy, while its Ohio River border ranks first among U.S. inland river ports. The three ports operated by the Ports of Indiana on Lake Michigan and the Ohio River have an annual economic impact of $8.7 billion and support 49,000 jobs statewide.

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