GREENSBORO, N.C. — A local economist said North Carolina could feel the effects of the Baltimore Key Bridge collapse here in the Triad.
"The impact in North Carolina would be mainly in terms of automotive, where you may have delays in deliveries, " N.C. A&T Economics Assistant Professor Amit Malhan said, "It's also a big port for soybeans and coal, and those products may be impacted."
A Triad trucking company said they are making adjustments to deliver their product.
Elite Transportation Group Inc. said it moves steel from Greensboro directly to Baltimore, Maryland, and Fairfax, Virginia.
The owner of the small business told WFMY News 2 they make the trip about four times a month and are adjusting their routes.
"We will now use what we call in the trucking industry interior routes which means we will use the back woods," owner Bianca Long said.
Long said the drive might take longer and cost more, but she is prepared.
"When I say longer, I don't mean days; if we could do the trip in ten hours now, it may take 12 and a half," Long said, "Because of longer routes and smaller roads, we have to take more detours because of the weight and size of the lanes."
Long said adjustments are worth it because America runs on transportation companies.
She said her company is very busy in the Triad and moves about 70,000 pounds of cargo five days a week. Elite Transportation Group Inc. transports items including silk, cloth, and yarn.
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