MEMPHIS, Tenn. —
Drivers who planned on taking I-55 to cross over the Mississippi River will have to find a different route. The I-55 bridge was shut down Sunday, March 10, and will remain closed for two weeks for construction.
More than 60,000 vehicles cross the I-55 bridge between Memphis and Arkansas every single day. But over the next two weeks no vehicles will be allowed to pass.
TDOT closed the bridge so crews can apply a new polymer concrete overlay. With this being one of just two ways to cross the Mississippi River in the Memphis area, drivers need to expect more cars on the I-40 bridge.
James Gant lives in West Memphis and works in Memphis, so he crosses the I-55 bridge every day. He plans to leave hours early for work until the bridge is back open.
“Probably around 3:00 in the morning because I have to be there [at work] at 5," Gant said. "Oh God. Traffic is going to be horrible.”
Although the bridge is scheduled to reopen in two weeks, TDOT Region 4 Community Relations Officer Nichole Lawrence said the timeline is heavily dependent on the weather.
"This is very, a sensitive type work where we have to get out there with the weather and the temperatures and make sure we can get it safely opened. so, it could very well take until the 24th at 8pm, but we shall see,” said Lawrence.
TDOT said the project will improve safety and mobility through the Crump Boulevard interchange as the years-long project to rebuild that interchange continues.
Here’s what drivers need to know:
- Sunday, March 10, 8 p.m. through Sunday, March 24, 8 p.m.
- I-55 southbound will be closed at Bridgeport Road in Arkansas
- I-55 northbound will be closed at South Parkway in Tennessee
- Local traffic will be allowed to continue to the McLemore exit
- I-55 southbound ramp will be closed
- Crump Boulevard westbound will be closed
Additional travel information can be found at IDriveArkansas.com or ARDOT.gov or from the Tennessee Department of Transportation at www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic.