Under the framework of the development of traffic modernization，and analyzing the current status of the Yangtze river waterway and needs for the modernization construction，we put forward the concept of the modern waterway，i.e.，the waterway characterized built by smooth，efficient，safe and green transportation based on the sci-tech techniques and methods，and by the modern waterway planning，construction，maintenance and management.Meanwhile，the follow-up construction for the Yangtze river waterway modernization is prospected.