I-55 Bridge in Memphis

[Plutonic Panda]

Good deal I'm just confused as to whether or not the third lane will be carried through on the Crump Boulevard interchange project.

[MikeTheActuary]

Looks like there's been an announcement:

https://wreg.com/news/mid-south/new-393m-i-55-bridge-to-be-built-over-mississippi-river/

(I'll admit, however, that it's not immediately clear to me what's new with the new announcement.)

P.S. I know in another thread the point was raised about whether Memphis/I-55 threads should be under "Southeast" or "Mid South".   I'll observe that, as a former Memphian, I had a helluva time finding this thread.  While most of Tennessee might be "southeast", Memphis is in the "mid-South".

I suppose this is just one of the joys of discussing something in the far corner of a long, skinny state.

[MikeTheActuary]

Ah...found it.

Official press release: https://www.tn.gov/governor/news/2024/7/12/tennessee-secures-historic-investment-to-modernize-memphis-infrastructure.html

Feds are sending $400m to help kick off the old bridge's replacement.  This is in addition to the up-to $250m committed from both TN TDOT and ARDOT.

[lordsutch]

Good deal I'm just confused as to whether or not the third lane will be carried through on the Crump Boulevard interchange project.

I don't believe the new overpasses are designed for 3 lanes, at least without eliminating most of the shoulders. My assumption is that the traffic patterns are such that a lot of traffic will get off for Riverside/Crump anyway, similar to the brief lane drop east of the Hernando de Soto bridge on I-40.

[roadman65]

Googlemaps show the new I-55 alignment already with Crump Blvd as a dead end.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Memphis,+TN/@35.1245637,-90.0683881,16.57z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x87d57e1eea439745:0xd193f315601ab6fe!8m2!3d35.1495343!4d-90.0489801!16zL20vMGNfbTM?entry=ttu

[lordsutch]

Googlemaps show the new I-55 alignment already with Crump Blvd as a dead end.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Memphis,+TN/@35.1245637,-90.0683881,16.57z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x87d57e1eea439745:0xd193f315601ab6fe!8m2!3d35.1495343!4d-90.0489801!16zL20vMGNfbTM?entry=ttu

Makes sense, since already bulldozed the connections to Riverside and Crump to make way for the roundabout construction months ago, as you can see on the satellite imagery. The new southbound flyover is temporarily a single lane in each direction while they build the northbound flyover.

[bwana39]

One has to wonder with the total sectional deck replacement on the existing bridge earlier this year if the Arkansas and Tennessee DOTS actually think the new bridge is ever going to be built; at least in this location.

[edwaleni]

Will the railroad spur down Kansas Street be terminated at Crump? Other than storing MoW equipment for the railroad, it has no customers south of Crump. The south connection at McLemore has been removed. Just curious.

[ilpt4u]

The 55 Bridge is closed this weekend, reopening Monday morning

https://www.kfvs12.com/2024/10/26/i-55-mississippi-river-bridge-closed-due-interchange-construction/

[Plutonic Panda]

This project is moving forward thankfully. A general contractor has been selected:

https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/kiewit-infrastructure-chosen-to-manage-replacing-the-i-55-bridge-over-mississippi-river/67516

[Plutonic Panda]

This project is moving forward thankfully. A general contractor has been selected. Article claims construction could start later this year.

https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/kiewit-infrastructure-chosen-to-manage-replacing-the-i-55-bridge-over-mississippi-river/67516

[Henry]

Googlemaps show the new I-55 alignment already with Crump Blvd as a dead end.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Memphis,+TN/@35.1245637,-90.0683881,16.57z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x87d57e1eea439745:0xd193f315601ab6fe!8m2!3d35.1495343!4d-90.0489801!16zL20vMGNfbTM?entry=ttu

Makes sense, since already bulldozed the connections to Riverside and Crump to make way for the roundabout construction months ago, as you can see on the satellite imagery. The new southbound flyover is temporarily a single lane in each direction while they build the northbound flyover.

All I know is when the whole thing is done, I-55 will have a much smoother flow (and the Crump Blvd connections as well), because there'll be no more uncomfortable cloverleaf to contend with.

[Great Lakes Roads]

https://www.tn.gov/tdot/news/2025/8/20/tennessee-and-arkansas-unveil-new-name-for-i-55-bridge--kings--crossing-.html

The I-55 bridge (the new one that is coming) has a new name: The Kings' Crossing...

"This new name, officially adopted by the Tennessee General Assembly and the Arkansas Highway Commission, honors three transformative figures known as "Kings": Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; B.B. King; and Elvis Presley."

[CtrlAltDel]

https://www.tn.gov/tdot/news/2025/8/20/tennessee-and-arkansas-unveil-new-name-for-i-55-bridge--kings--crossing-.html

The I-55 bridge (the new one that is coming) has a new name: The Kings' Crossing...

"This new name, officially adopted by the Tennessee General Assembly and the Arkansas Highway Commission, honors three transformative figures known as "Kings": Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; B.B. King; and Elvis Presley."

What.

[CoreySamson]

https://www.tn.gov/tdot/news/2025/8/20/tennessee-and-arkansas-unveil-new-name-for-i-55-bridge--kings--crossing-.html

The I-55 bridge (the new one that is coming) has a new name: The Kings' Crossing...

"This new name, officially adopted by the Tennessee General Assembly and the Arkansas Highway Commission, honors three transformative figures known as "Kings": Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; B.B. King; and Elvis Presley."

I like it, even if it is a bit corny. Naming it after those figures rather than some other obscure politician would probably get it a little more local support than it otherwise would have, as well.

[Rothman]

Meh.  People'll think it refers to the British.

[The Ghostbuster]

There, of course, is a King's Cross Rail Station in London, England (the Hogwarts Express departs from Platform 9 3/4 every September 1st at 11am. Don't be late!). Still, given the number of Kings from Memphis' history, The Kings' Crossing is a good name for the new Interstate 55 bridge over the Mississippi River.

[vdeane]

Meh.  People'll think it refers to the British.

My first thought was "do they think they're Ontario?".

[Rothman]

There, of course, is a King's Cross Rail Station in London, England (the Hogwarts Express departs from Platform 9 3/4 every September 1st at 11am. Don't be late!). Still, given the number of Kings from Memphis' history, The Kings' Crossing is a good name for the new Interstate 55 bridge over the Mississippi River.

Still sounds like one of the many "King's Highways" all over the East.

[Henry]

https://www.tn.gov/tdot/news/2025/8/20/tennessee-and-arkansas-unveil-new-name-for-i-55-bridge--kings--crossing-.html

The I-55 bridge (the new one that is coming) has a new name: The Kings' Crossing...

"This new name, officially adopted by the Tennessee General Assembly and the Arkansas Highway Commission, honors three transformative figures known as "Kings": Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; B.B. King; and Elvis Presley."

Once you think about it, it'll all make sense. As it is, the former two had the last name King, and the latter one was the King of Rock & Roll.

[NE2]

Should have named it Three Kings' Crossing and watched the bigots freak out about Mexican culture.

[MikeTheActuary]

The existing highway bridges are referred to by Memphians as the "old bridge" and the "new bridge".

I understand that the debate was already on about whether the bridge to be constructed would be the "new new bridge" or the "mane bridge" (local joke).

I can actually see "kings bridge" catching on and winning that debate.

[CoreySamson]

The existing highway bridges are referred to by Memphians as the "old bridge" and the "new bridge".

Very similar to how Baton Rouge refers to the I-10 bridge (new bridge) and US 190 bridge (old bridge) over the Mississippi.

[PColumbus73]

There, of course, is a King's Cross Rail Station in London, England (the Hogwarts Express departs from Platform 9 3/4 every September 1st at 11am. Don't be late!). Still, given the number of Kings from Memphis' history, The Kings' Crossing is a good name for the new Interstate 55 bridge over the Mississippi River.

We can start calling the I-40 bridge the 'Hogsmeade Bridge' for all the Potter nerds.