LR-area traffic slow as icy conditions remain

Drivers negotiate westbound I-440 lanes Tuesday morning, Dec. 10, 2013.
Drivers negotiate westbound I-440 lanes Tuesday morning, Dec. 10, 2013.

Traffic backed up across the greater Little Rock area on Tuesday morning as many drivers returned to the highways for the first time in days in conditions that remained icy in places, officials said.

The National Weather Service in North Little Rock noted light precipitation Monday night coupled with refreezing from ice that accumulated Friday has led to slick conditions.

"There have been several accidents on area highways due to the ice," the weather service said in a statement. "Motorists are advised to use caution this morning."

The agency noted the pavement may look wet when it's actually frozen over.

"You may get caught off guard when applying your brakes," the statement said. "Be careful out there."

The Arkansas Department of Highway and Transportation on Tuesday reported icy patches on most of the major highways in roughly the northern third of the state as well as the Little Rock and Hot Springs areas.

In Little Rock, crews were treating icy patches on Interstate 440.

Slick spots remained on Interstate 440, particularly on bridges and overpasses. Traffic at 7:45 a.m. was at a crawl approaching downtown while motorists drove through a slick area near Springer Boulevard.

Lengthy backups were reported on Interstates 30, 430 and 630 at times during rush hour Tuesday morning. By 11 a.m., the Arkansas Online traffic map was showing improved conditions with traffic moving freely on all Little Rock-area interstates except I-30 just west of I-530. Slow traffic was still being reported there.

Many schools were back in session Tuesday for the first time since Thursday. Still others, though, were closed or delayed. A full list is available here.

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