MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore caused concern all over the country. With two bridges over the Mississippi River in Downtown Memphis, could a similar accident happen in the Mid-South?
Every day, Barges cross under the bridges in Downtown Memphis, yet ARDOT Communications Divisions Head Dave Parker said the ships here are usually much smaller.
"Vessels of that size that struck that bridge in Maryland don't typically come to this area," said Parker.
Parker would not answer questions on the crack that was found in I-40 bridge back in 2021 and if could have led to a similar catastrophe. But if that bridge took a hit from a ship, there are precautions in place.
"The Interstate 40 bridge for example has so many large concrete footings that allow that bridge to be supported in deep waters, the Mississippi River that should something strike it, it allows it to handle that sort of blow,” said Parker.
The I-40 bridge was designed to be able to take a hit, according to a statement from TDOT. But since the I-55 bridge is much older, it doesn’t have the same safety measures in places.
ARDOT said this is part of the reason a replacement project for the I-55 bridge will begin in 2026.
"They're not to the extent of the I-40 bridge because of the age of the bridge. If, for example, we were to start building a new I-55 bridge tomorrow, it would definitely have more protective measures in place,” said Parker.
Despite its age, TDOT said the I-55 was hit five time since 1970 causing no significant damage.
"The I-40 bridge has the seismic upgrades that would help to absorb a fairly high impact load," said a representative of TDOT in a statement. "The force of a barge strike would be handled."
TDOT also added that the design for a barge impact and loads is in the two million pound range.
"It’s important to note that we’re still learning about what happened - based on what we’ve seen, the Baltimore bridge took a direct impact from a fully loaded cargo ship," continued the statement. "These ships have tremendous mass and are very tall. It also matters where the impact occurred. And we can’t speculate on what force the cargo ship may have had on impact."
But, as Parker said, ships of that size and weight do not cross near Memphis.