By the Capital Press

Pressure to move wheat through Portland next fall could be greater than most years, given that barge transportation on the Columbia River system is expected to be shut down from December 2010 to April 2011.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to repair locks at The Dalles and John Day dams on the Columbia and the Lower Monumental Dam on the Snake River during that period.

"My guess is people will want to get everything down (river) before then," said Oregon Wheat Commissioner Tom Duyck. "That will make a jam."

The Port of Portland is working with railroads to establish a rail link to its Terminal Six during the shutdown, said Josh Thomas, a spokesman for the Port of Portland.

--Mitch Lies