MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Tennessee Governor Bill Lee made a trip to the Bluff City on Tuesday, following up on the progress of the state's $800 million construction project on the Interstate 55 bridge.
This project is being called Tennessee's single-largest transportation investment in history.
During a press conference, Gov. Lee said the I-55 bridge is expected to be complete by 2030. Lee believes the bridge's infrastructure improvements will open the path towards an increase in economic development in Shelby County.
"Tennessee will lead the country, but only as Memphis and Shelby County continue its transformation, that's part of what's happening here with this bridge, that's what's gonna happen in the future," Lee said. "When you're a logistics hub for the country, then you're infrastructure for logistics needs to be modernized."
Truck driver Michael Johnson travels the I-55 bridge often.
He agrees with Governor Lee, stating the improvements to the bridge are needed.
"It used to be a real pain in the neck," Johnson said. "It used to a be a stop corner down there going south, then coming back north you had Cloverleaf loop around. It just seemed to be more of a headache and a hassle than it is now."
Johnson tells ABC24 once the bridge is finished, he believes it could become a safety measure for all drivers.
"You're eliminating two major curves, which is a possibility for a major accident and what not," Johnson said. "There's a lot of people who are not courteous anymore like they used to be."
There will be another round of repairs that will shut down traffic on the I-55 bridge, which is scheduled to begin Saturday, October 26. The bridge will reopen Monday, October 28 at 6am.