Arkansas highway officials have re-opened Interstate 40's eastbound lanes, which were closed for 23 miles between Little Rock and Memphis due to flooding.


Flooding from the White River, which runs under I-40 between Hazen and Brinkley, has receded from the highway's two eastbound lanes. I-40 going west remains closed at Brinkley, exit 216.

Highway department spokesman Glenn Bolick said in an email Monday afternoon that traffic can now move through safely going east on I-40, a crucial route for commercial traffic and drivers traveling through eastern Arkansas.

White River flooding forced the closure of I-40 westbound on Wednesday afternoon and I-40 eastbound on Thursday night, forcing traffic to take long detours or avoid the state altogether.