MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Drivers beware: more construction along Sam Cooper Boulevard could cause delays.
The westbound ramp from Sam Cooper to Highland Street will close for the next two weeks for construction, beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022.
This project started nearly three years ago. In the summer of 2020, city of Memphis leaders accepted construction bids to repair 11 bridges and overpasses along Sam Cooper Blvd. It's happening in the roughly three-mile stretch between Mendenhall and Holmes. A 2013 TDOT inspection rated six of those bridges in 'poor' condition.
The completion date had been expected for June 2021, but as of September 2022, construction is still ongoing.
Here’s a look at alternative routes for drivers:
- Northbound Highland traffic trying to go westbound on Sam Cooper should use Summer Avenue to Tillman Street to get back to Sam Cooper Boulevard
- Southbound Highland traffic will be detoured to eastbound Sam Cooper down to Graham, where you can turn around to get on westbound Sam Cooper.
- You can also use Tillman or Graham directly to avoid the mess.