I-40 Traffic Backed Up for Hours
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: January 15, 2013
Commuters traveling westbound on I-40 through eastern Arkansas have been stuck in traffic for upwards of five hours.
Sleet, snow and freezing rain caused several 18-wheelers to get stuck going over the White River Bridge. The wintry weather, combined with the construction that had traffic down to one lane in each direction already, caused massive delays on the interstate.
Several drivers reported waiting for hours while the semi-trucks were assisted over the bridge.
Angela Williams, who has been waiting for about five hours, says she's been letting others stuck on the road use the bathroom in her camper for relief while they wait.
The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department cleared the latest truck off the bridge around 3:00 p.m. By 6:30 p.m., one driver estimated that traffic was moving at about 4 mph.
The Arkansas National Guard was called out to assist the Arkansas State Police to help drivers stranded by the storm. A crew of 8 guardsmen in 4 military vehicles patrolled a 40-mile stretch of interstate east of Lonoke. The National Guard says 4 other crews are on standby to assist if needed.
Travel along I-40 may continue to be slow. With temperatures falling below freezing, any water on the road would have an opportunity to re-freeze.
Sleet, snow and freezing rain caused several 18-wheelers to get stuck going over the White River Bridge. The wintry weather, combined with the construction that had traffic down to one lane in each direction already, caused massive delays on the interstate.
Several drivers reported waiting for hours while the semi-trucks were assisted over the bridge.
Angela Williams, who has been waiting for about five hours, says she's been letting others stuck on the road use the bathroom in her camper for relief while they wait.
The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department cleared the latest truck off the bridge around 3:00 p.m. By 6:30 p.m., one driver estimated that traffic was moving at about 4 mph.
The Arkansas National Guard was called out to assist the Arkansas State Police to help drivers stranded by the storm. A crew of 8 guardsmen in 4 military vehicles patrolled a 40-mile stretch of interstate east of Lonoke. The National Guard says 4 other crews are on standby to assist if needed.
Travel along I-40 may continue to be slow. With temperatures falling below freezing, any water on the road would have an opportunity to re-freeze.
