Arkansas mayors want a deeper Arkansas River

As part of the most recent meeting held in Rogers, Ark., by the Arkansas Municipal League, the depth of the Arkansas River became a hot topic among various mayors of cities in the Natural State.

Many mayors with ties to the river would like to see its shipping channel deepened from 9 feet to 12 feet to facilitate big-barge traffic. One mayor said a deeper channel could mean it would only cost a penny to ship a loaf of bread to Fort Smith, Ark., from New Orleans.

However, deepening the channel is estimated to cost the U.S. Corps of Engineers $188.8 million, not including the $2.8 million it would cost to maintain the depth. Also, the effects of deepening the river would need to be studied.

Congress has approved the project, but not the funding, according to Arkansas Business.

Read more from Arkansas Business.