Adjusting freight traffic on the river and Interstate 40

Tuesday, May 28th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Interstate 40 is a major east-west highway that crosses the country. An Arkansas trucking official says until the bridge over the Arkansas River is repaired, his trucks will be running behind.

He says we can expect slight increases in consumer goods especially fruits and vegetables from California. And barges that use the river will be stalled until the river is reopened to traffic. About 12-million tons of cargo are shipped on the river each year.

Inland barges carry about 15% of the nation's freight. One jumbo barge has the same capacity as 15 railroad cars or 58 tractor-trailers.