WMBD/WYZZ-TV—PEORIA-- River transport via barges is one of the most environmentally friendly modes of transport available.

The Heart of Illinois Regional Port District Executive Director, Steve Jaeger said, “Barge is by far the most environmentally efficient and green method of transportation."

 Barges can carry up to fifteen hundred tons of cargo.

Jaeger said, “A typical tow load of 15 barges on the river would represent the equivalent of 2 and a half miles of railway cars put together and almost 35 miles of trucks back to back.”

Fewer trucks on the road and trains at crossings also mean fewer traffic backups.

Jaeger said, “You've got less contribution to air pollution, you don't really got any noise pollution because no one really lives along the river.”

But any company shipping by waterway is sacrificing something significant...time.

Jaeger said, “If you were moving a barge load of cargo from peoria to the gulf of mexico and new orleans the transit time is going to be about 11 days. Conversely, a train would make it on second morning and a truck would make it overnight.”

That's why most cargo on barges are from firms that aren't in a huge hurry

Shipping by barge can save you a lot of green, too.

Jaeger said, “To move a barge load of gravel is only about 30% of the cost of doing it by rail so

therefore it's a lot of savings that accrue to the shipper.”

So as we take action for our environment, remember this about barge transport

Jaeger said, “It's a very, very out-of-sight type of transportation which moves freight very efficiently and thereby makes it very, very green”

If you're a shipper who'd like to transport goods via the river, The Heart of Illinois Regional Port District, better known as "Transport", wants to help.