Lock and Dam renamed after Jerry F. Costello
<span>MODOC -- More than 40 years after it was placed in service, the Kaskaskia Lock and Dam was renamed after one of its biggest supporters in a ceremony on Thursday.</span>
<span>Former U.S. Congressman Jerry F. Costello, who represented Illinois' 12th District for 24 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, now has his name on the facility, which is located on the Kaskaskia River about a mile upstream from the confluence with the Mississippi River near Modoc.</span>
<span>The lock and dam provides 36 miles of navigable waterway for barge traffic from Fayetteville in St. Clair County to the Mississippi River. Built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District, it was completed on November 9, 1973 and placed in service on July 20, 1974.</span>
<span>The Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 officially renamed the lock and dam after Costello.</span>
<span>"Today is a milestone, said Ed Weilbacher, general manager of the Kaskaskia Regional Port District. "It will be remembered. When children pick up their iPads, iPhones or whatever they will have 50 years from now, they will read about the importance of this day."</span>
<span>Thursday's ceremony included remarks from Arlan Juhl, director of the Illinois Department of Resources' Office of Water Resources and Carl Tebbe, president of the Lower Kaskaskia Stakeholders.</span>
<span>Col. Antony Mitchell, commander of the Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District, made opening remarks during the ceremony.</span>
<span>"</span><span>This is a great opportunity to recognize Congressman Costello and the many benefits that our region and nation have received from his years of hard work," he said. "I am honored to celebrate this momentous occasion with all of the diverse interests the Congressman has brought together in the Kaskaskia River Watershed."</span>
<span>In his remarks, the 65-year-old Costello stressed partnership as being one of the reasons for the creation and long-term success of the lock and dam, as well as the Lower Kaskaskia Stakeholders.</span>
<span>"I could talk all day about this project and all the people in this room," he said. "I thank all of you. We wouldn't be here today without you."</span>
<span>Also attending the ceremony were Costello's wife, Georgia, and several members of the Costello family - including son Jerry Costello II, who is a member of the Illinois House of Representatives in the 116th District.</span>
<span>After the ceremony, the Costello family and members of the media were treated to a tour of the facility. The elder Costello was also given an opportunity by Assistant Operations Manager Matt Thurman to "lock down" a barge making its way through the lock and dam.</span>
<span>"Having the river available saves freight costs for our farmers," Tebbe said. "And saves our roads."</span>
<span>The U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America provided musical entertainment prior to the ceremony and veterans from the Chester VFW presented the posting of the colors.</span>