FORT SMITH, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas highway officials are to hold a news conference to discuss a $79 million project to fix a busy stretch of Interstate 540 in western Arkansas.

The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department is to hold a 2 p.m. press conference Monday in Fort Smith to describe the scope of the work planned for the seven miles of I-540 that are in need of repair.

The work includes replacement of 9 bridges and improvements to four others. The work will be focused on an area of I-540 between Interstate 40 and Arkansas Highway 22 in the Fort Smith and Van Buren areas.

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