A lingering drought over the upper Midwest this year may start drying up construction profits there next year, some contractors and suppliers say. Even after receiving a brief reprieve of rain delivered by Hurricane Katrina, barge haulers on the upper Mississippi and Ohio rivers continue to cope with low river levels that are limiting capacities of bulk loads of cement, aggregate, asphalt, steel and other building materials that can be towed without running aground. Reduced cargos, delays for dredging and more travel time have increased barge haulers' costs. Some contractors are bracing for a resulting hike in buildings material prices they say is likely if the drought doesn't break.
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