DOTD announces designation of Ouachita River as United States Marine Highway
Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at 8:02:48 AM
Baton Rouge, LA – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announces that the Ouachita River in northeast Louisiana has been designated as a United State Marine Highway (USMH) by the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD), an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). As part of the program, the Ouachita River is designated as M-167 with DOTD as its sponsor. The designation of a USMH allows public and private entities along the waterway to be eligible for federal funding through the U.S. Marine Highway Grant Program.
“The Ouachita River is a wonderful natural resource with vast economic potential, especially in a region built by commodities which rely on reliable modes of transportation. This designation will spur rural economic development and increase opportunities for infrastructure improvements and job creation,” said Congresswoman Julia Letlow, Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District. “I want to thank the Trump administration and Secretary Duffy for looking out for north Louisiana and working with me to unlock our region’s potential.”
“Having the Ouachita River designated as a USMH is a major achievement that will benefit not only Louisiana, but also the nation’s entire transportation infrastructure,” said DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet. “We look forward to the many benefits of this designation, such as economic expansion in our state, and we are deeply appreciative to USDOT Secretary Sean Duffy for approving our application.”
“The Office of Multimodal Commerce is happy to support this designation,” said Commissioner Julia Fisher-Cormier of DOTD’s Office of Multimodal Commerce. “As vice chair of the Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment Commission, I look forward to the impact of this important step in collectively strengthening our Louisiana Marine Highways.”
The Marine Highway Program is a grant program that promotes transportation along marine routes as an alternative to roadways. The goal is to increase roadway efficiency by relieving congestion on land and promoting the use of waterways as a transportation option. In addition to relieving roadway congestion, the program’s benefits include maritime jobs, reduced roadway maintenance costs, cost-effective freight and passenger transportation, increased public safety, transportation alternatives during emergencies, and improved national security.
With the Ouachita River now being a USMH, public and private entities along the river are eligible to apply for federal aid as part of the Marine Highway Program. As the sponsor of M-167, DOTD can now endorse private entities applying for federal assistance. M-167 is expected to boost economic development not only along the Ouachita River, but throughout north Louisiana.
DOTD worked in collaboration with the Ouachita River Valley Association and the Arkansas Waterways Commission in applying for this USMH designation.
"The designation of the Ouachita River as U.S. Marine Highway M-167 provides opportunities for public and private entities along the Ouachita River to be eligible to apply for federal grants,” said Randy Denmon, president of the Ouachita River Valley Association. “This is a great opportunity for our area."
"This is actually pretty huge! The Ouachita River offers so much to the people within the Ouachita River basin, and we are excited to announce this major development,” added Brandon Waggoner, vice president of the Ouachita River Valley Association. “It is a major step in the revitalization of the river."
The Ouachita River stretches 605 miles from near Mena, Arkansas, to its convergence with the Tensas River and Black River in Jonesville, Louisiana. The river is navigable for 337 miles between Camden, Arkansas, and its convergence, making it an essential transportation route.
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