I -40 Hernando Desoto Bridge at Memphis shutdown

[Road Hog]

I-40 bridge may reopen this weekend eastbound with westbound opening a few days later.

Gives a new meaning to Eastbound and Down ... into the Mississippi.

[rickmastfan67]

Oops.  Must be a bad link.

I fixed the link in his post.  But I think this should be merged with the 'closed' thread anyways.

EDIT: Now merged.

[CtrlAltDel]

That is welcome news! I'm sure the people of Memphis will be happy about that.

[MikeTheActuary]

Confirmed -- the bridge should open to eastbound traffic tomorrow afternoon.  Westbound reopening currently expected the 6th.

https://dailymemphian.com/section/metro/article/23223/hernando-desoto-bridge-reopening-bridged-repairs

[MikieTimT]

Hopefully they leave some of the re-striping they did on I-55.  And here's hoping that the focus on the obvious bottlenecks in this area doesn't lessen to the point they don't do something about the clusterf**k Crump cloverleaf.

[sparker]

Hopefully they leave some of the re-striping they did on I-55.  And here's hoping that the focus on the obvious bottlenecks in this area doesn't lessen to the point they don't do something about the clusterf**k Crump cloverleaf.

Having used that almost-FUBAR I-55 crossing numerous times, I wholly concur with the above statement.  I'd also add that this whole situation should have opened eyes from locally all the way to Nashville (and hopefully some folks in D.C.!) about the absurdity of this dependence upon a substandard and obsolete facility.  However, the cynic in me says that the decision-makers at all levels will breathe a loud sigh of relief once I-40 opens fully, and relegate any further activity for improving (or, shall we "go big", adding) the river crossing scenario once again to the back shelf.  The idea of once again having to endure a single crossing for an extended period may scare TDOT and associates to the point that they just don't consider any potential closure of I-55 to be politically feasible due to public inconvenience.  We shall see -- but for the time being it's likely to be business as usual.

[US71]

I-40 Bridge Eastbound  OPEN  

[ilpt4u]

I-40 Bridge Eastbound  OPEN

Google Maps hasn't yet got the message - still reporting both directions are closed

I would think Google would figure that out pretty quickly, tracking more cell phones crossing EB via the I-40 bridge

BTW in that article about EB I-40 reopening on the bridge, there is a blurb about the Crump Interchange work beginning in 2022...anyone got any more details on that?

[rickmastfan67]

https://twitter.com/NicLawrenceTDOT/status/1421659504421347333

[vdeane]

I-40 Bridge Eastbound  OPEN

Google Maps hasn't yet got the message - still reporting both directions are closed

I would think Google would figure that out pretty quickly, tracking more cell phones crossing EB via the I-40 bridge

BTW in that article about EB I-40 reopening on the bridge, there is a blurb about the Crump Interchange work beginning in 2022...anyone got any more details on that?

What's really weird is that Google seems to think the closure was extended.  Yesterday they were showing "closed until 10PM", now they say "closed until August 17" (westbound still shows "closed until August 6").  What the heck, Google?

[Thegeet]

I-40 Bridge Eastbound  OPEN

Google Maps hasn't yet got the message - still reporting both directions are closed

I would think Google would figure that out pretty quickly, tracking more cell phones crossing EB via the I-40 bridge

BTW in that article about EB I-40 reopening on the bridge, there is a blurb about the Crump Interchange work beginning in 2022...anyone got any more details on that?

What's really weird is that Google seems to think the closure was extended.  Yesterday they were showing "closed until 10PM", now they say "closed until August 17" (westbound still shows "closed until August 6").  What the heck, Google?

I'm more surprised it doesn't say closed until October, like other roads.

[capt.ron]

I'm seeing traffic on both sides of the bridge on the traffic cams right now (1:25 pm my time). Perhaps it's 100% open as of today?

[MikieTimT]

I'm seeing traffic on both sides of the bridge on the traffic cams right now (1:25 pm my time). Perhaps it's 100% open as of today?

Looking at several SmartWay cameras, I only see eastbound traffic, and not a ton in particular.  Maybe the traffic on Arkansas' camera just to the west has traffic entering westbound on the Arkansas side of the bridge.

[MikieTimT]

Nevermind.  I do see some stragglers going westbound using the bridge, so either they opened it, or there's some going around barriers.

[US71]

ARDOT reports ALL lanes open (both directions) as of 3pm CDT

[MikieTimT]

Traffic still looks pretty light at this point on the cameras.  Word hasn't spread just yet on the VMS's and media outlets I guess.

[US71]

Traffic still looks pretty light at this point on the cameras.  Word hasn't spread just yet on the VMS's and media outlets I guess.

There's a joke on Facebook to the effect of "you go first"

[sprjus4]

Saw a VMS on I-30 just east of Texarkana saying I-40 bridge at Memphis is open both directions.

[kenarmy]

Finally, I won't have to see a VMS everyday reminding me to take an alternate route even though I'm already on the alternate route. And live 3+ hours away  .

[ixnay]

Traffic still looks pretty light at this point on the cameras.  Word hasn't spread just yet on the VMS's and media outlets I guess.

https://www.wmcactionnews5.com/2021/08/03/all-lanes-reopened-i-40-bridge-ahead-schedule/

[US71]

https://dailymemphian.com/section/business/article/23295/hernando-desoto-bridge-inspection-ardot

ARDOT officials have yet to explain how multiple inspections missed the potentially catastrophic crack that closed the bridge in May.

[bwana39]

https://dailymemphian.com/section/business/article/23295/hernando-desoto-bridge-inspection-ardot

ARDOT officials have yet to explain how multiple inspections missed the potentially catastrophic crack that closed the bridge in May.

You have to realize that it was found by a guy who looked to make sure there was no river traffic below  before he spit over the side.....

[edwaleni]

https://dailymemphian.com/section/business/article/23295/hernando-desoto-bridge-inspection-ardot

ARDOT officials have yet to explain how multiple inspections missed the potentially catastrophic crack that closed the bridge in May.

I thought they had a whole press conference on it. The guy said he inspected the bridge and signed the documents falsely and was fired.

What we haven't heard is the changes in the process ARDOT was taking on to protect against a repeat occurrence.

[Thegeet]

https://dailymemphian.com/section/business/article/23295/hernando-desoto-bridge-inspection-ardot

ARDOT officials have yet to explain how multiple inspections missed the potentially catastrophic crack that closed the bridge in May.

I thought they had a whole press conference on it. The guy said he inspected the bridge and signed the documents falsely and was fired.

What we haven't heard is the changes in the process ARDOT was taking on to protect against a repeat occurrence.

I swear, if they pass off mistakes like this, this would be a recipe for disaster.

[kalvado]

https://dailymemphian.com/section/business/article/23295/hernando-desoto-bridge-inspection-ardot

ARDOT officials have yet to explain how multiple inspections missed the potentially catastrophic crack that closed the bridge in May.

I thought they had a whole press conference on it. The guy said he inspected the bridge and signed the documents falsely and was fired.

What we haven't heard is the changes in the process ARDOT was taking on to protect against a repeat occurrence.

I wonder if that is available anywhere.
And if that is really the case, things should escalate quite a bit, as inspection report is submitted to FHWA, so feds could take an issue with overall situation.