In the mid-1930s, waterway improvements were made on the Illinois River to improve barge movement (for example, new wider and deeper locks at Lockport). These improvements enabled the Illinois River to handle larger barges as well as movement of Tank Landing Ships (LST) constructed by the  Chicago Bridge and Iron Company at Seneca, IL during World War II to New Orleans.
In the mid-1930s, waterway enhancements were carried out on the Illinois River to facilitate barge transportation (for instance, new wider and deeper locks at Lockport). These improvements allowed the Illinois River to accommodate larger barges as well as movement of Tank Landing Ships (LST) manufactured by the Chicago Bridge and Iron Company in Seneca, IL during World War II to New Orleans.