I-40 Bridge Shutdown

Lane closures scheduled for I-40 bridge inspection

Updated: Jun. 20, 2022 at 8:12 AM CDT

By Action News 5 Staff

The inspection may need to occasionally close the outside lanes in each direction at the same time.

State

The Arkansas Department of Transportation announced Tuesday it will shut down outside lanes of...

ArDOT to perform “hands-on inspection” of I-40 bridge

Updated: Feb. 22, 2022 at 4:27 PM CST

By Region 8 Newsdesk

The Arkansas Department of Transportation announced Tuesday it will shut down outside lanes of traffic in the coming days to inspect the Interstate 40 bridge over the Mississippi River.

State

Crews perform investigation on I-40 bridge to prep for spring inspection

Updated: Jan. 5, 2022 at 6:26 PM CST

By Parker King

Crews from the Arkansas Department of Transportation could be seen Wednesday on the I-40 bridge.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

Traffic delays expected today for I-40 bridge inspection

Updated: Jan. 5, 2022 at 6:24 AM CST

By Action News 5 Staff

You’ll need to give yourself more time Wednesday if you use the M-Bridge. There will be some temporary lane closures throughout the day.

Vaccine

Memphis-Shelby County COVID task force gives update on cases, vaccines

Updated: Dec. 2, 2021 at 11:39 AM CST

By Action News 5 Staff

The Memphis-Shelby County COVID task force will be meeting for the first time since Thanksgiving to give an update on COVID-19 numbers and vaccination efforts.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

Final I-40 bridge inspection reports lay out future parameters for ArDOT

Updated: Nov. 11, 2021 at 6:03 PM CST

By Parker King

The punctuation mark has finally been placed at the end of the long sentence that is the I-40 bridge shutdown.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

Ark. transportation officials release I-40 bridge internal investigation findings

Updated: Nov. 11, 2021 at 9:25 AM CST

By Shyra Sherfield

The investigation was launched when inspectors discovered a large crack in the bridge on May 11, shutting the bridge down for four months until it was fixed.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

Civil engineering firm receives award for emergency repair of I-40 bridge

Updated: Nov. 8, 2021 at 9:41 PM CST

By Action News 5 Staff

The engineering firm behind the inspection of the I-40 Hernando-DeSoto bridge is getting recognition.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

Southland Casino Racing celebrates reopening of I-40 bridge with four car giveaways

Updated: Aug. 4, 2021 at 3:23 PM CDT

By Olivia Gunn

Southland is giving away one car every three weeks for 12 weeks.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

All lanes reopened on I-40 bridge ahead of schedule

Updated: Aug. 2, 2021 at 11:08 PM CDT

By Kelli Cook

Monday at around 1 p.m., all lanes on the 1-40 bridge were open to traffic ahead of schedule.

Current Temperatures

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

Remaining lanes of I-40 reopen Monday ahead of schedule

Updated: Aug. 2, 2021 at 12:10 PM CDT

By Action News 5 Staff

The remaining lanes of the I-40 bridge reopened around 1 p.m. Monday.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

I-40 bridge awaits first day of commuter traffic since May closure

Updated: Aug. 1, 2021 at 9:20 PM CDT

By Parker King

Sunday morning brought a welcome sight to Memphis, traffic flowing in the eastbound lanes of the I-40 bridge.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

TDOT: I-40 bridge to reopen ahead of schedule

Updated: Jul. 30, 2021 at 3:30 PM CDT

By Olivia Gunn

The I-40 bridge is set to open one day early.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

I-40 bridge reopening date confirmed as TDOT wraps up final assessments

Updated: Jul. 28, 2021 at 4:59 PM CDT

By Parker King

Wednesday morning it was confirmed by both the departments of transportation in Arkansas and Tennessee that the I-40 bridge will reopen on Monday.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

Transportation officials say I-40 bridge to reopen next week

Updated: Jul. 28, 2021 at 10:21 AM CDT

By Action News 5 Staff

Tennessee Department of Transportation officials confirmed a reopening plan for the bridge will be announced later this morning.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

I-40 bridge set to reopen next week, Arkansas judge says, but DOT officials won’t confirm

Updated: Jul. 27, 2021 at 5:02 PM CDT

By Parker King

Despite having 17 additional critical areas to be addressed on the I-40 bridge, all 17 areas have been addressed with little to no impact on the bridge’s rough reopening timeframe.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

TDOT says load testing set to begin on closed I-40 bridge

Updated: Jul. 26, 2021 at 4:31 PM CDT

By Action News 5 Staff

The Tennessee Department of Transportation says crews made significant progress over the weekend with repairs to the I-40 Hernando DeSoto bridge.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

TDOT: I-40 bridge to ‘likely’ reopen in August

Updated: Jul. 23, 2021 at 4:16 PM CDT

By Hannah Wallsmith

The last four steel plates are expected to arrive Friday and will be set over the next few days, according to release.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

Crews set steel plates needed for repairs to I-40 bridge

Updated: Jul. 19, 2021 at 9:40 PM CDT

By Olivia Gunn

TDOT says crews have set the first five of six plates needed for repairs to the damaged structure.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

Memphis Corps of Engineers conducts high-tech testing on I-40 bridge

Updated: Jul. 14, 2021 at 9:42 AM CDT

By Action News 5 Staff

The Memphis District Corps of Engineers, with the help of state transportation agencies, conducted high-tech testing on the I-40 bridge Tuesday.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

TDOT: Additional repairs needed before I-40 bridge can reopen

Updated: Jul. 13, 2021 at 5:47 PM CDT

By Chris Luther

In their most recent update, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) says state-of-the-art survey technology has revealed more repair work than initially thought.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

TDOT: Painting of phase 2 I-40 bridge repairs underway

Updated: Jul. 12, 2021 at 8:03 AM CDT

By Action News 5 Staff

TDOT says its goal for reopening the bridge is the end of July.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

I-40 bridge expected to open at the end of July

Updated: Jul. 7, 2021 at 5:15 PM CDT

By Briseida Holguin

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) says its goal for reopening the bridge is the end of July, but say the safety of workers and the public is their number one priority.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

Repair of initial I-40 bridge fracture complete; crews continue work

Updated: Jul. 6, 2021 at 10:30 PM CDT

By Olivia Gunn

TDOT officials say officials say the contractor has completed the repair of the initial fracture on the I-40 bridge.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

TDOT gives tour of I-40 Bridge; reopening in sight

Updated: Jun. 28, 2021 at 6:25 PM CDT

By Parker King

After the plates are set in place, there will still need to be some time to review the repairs.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

TDOT: Crews install half of steel plates needed for I-40 bridge repair

Updated: Jun. 28, 2021 at 5:47 AM CDT

By Action News 5 Staff

Crews are continuing to repair the fractured I-40 bridge after nearly two months of being shut down.

Top Story

Elected officials hope infrastructure deal will bring funds to the Mid-South

Updated: Jun. 24, 2021 at 10:39 PM CDT

By Kelli Cook

According to reports, $109 billion of the more than trillion dollar infrastructure deal is set aside for roads and bridges.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

TDOT sends phase 2 design plan of 1-40 bridge to contractor

Updated: Jun. 21, 2021 at 10:49 PM CDT

By Olivia Gunn

Work on the I-40 bridge continues.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

Crews expect additional equipment delivery for I-40 bridge this week

Updated: Jun. 21, 2021 at 7:56 AM CDT

By Action News 5 Staff

All weekend long crews were out installing post-tensioning equipment for repairs.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

Arkansas Highway Commission says traffic flow is ‘much-improved’ on I-40

Updated: Jun. 18, 2021 at 6:18 AM CDT

By Action News 5 Staff

Arkansas transportation officials have a positive update on how the measures they took to relieve traffic jams on I-40 are going.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

I-40 bridge: TDOT works to install support beams for repair

Updated: Jun. 15, 2021 at 5:56 AM CDT

By Action News 5 Staff

Work is still underway to get traffic flowing once again on the I-40 bridge after a month of being shut down.

Traffic

TDOT: Traffic flowing better on I-55

Updated: Jun. 14, 2021 at 9:37 PM CDT

By Briseida Holguin

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) says the contractor is making significant progress on the I-40 bridge.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

Crews expecting beams for I-40 bridge repair today

Updated: Jun. 14, 2021 at 7:57 AM CDT

By Action News 5 Staff

Crews are one step closer to starting phase two of repairs on the I-40 bridge as the bridge closure continues.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

TDOT to halt roadwork on I-55 at Crump Interchange Friday

Updated: Jun. 11, 2021 at 8:53 AM CDT

By Action News 5 Staff

The department hopes the change will help minimize congestion in the area.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

Changes underway to improve traffic flow on I-55 bridge

Updated: Jun. 10, 2021 at 4:57 AM CDT

By Chris Luther

The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) and the City of West Memphis are making traffic changes they hope will shorten the delay getting over the I-55 bridge.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

Materials to finish I-40 bridge repairs to be delivered late June

Updated: Jun. 7, 2021 at 7:35 AM CDT

By Action News 5 Staff

The bridge has been closed now for three weeks.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

West Memphis mayor says I-40 bridge shutdown ‘paralyzed’ the city

Updated: Jun. 4, 2021 at 5:52 AM CDT

By Action News 5 Staff

While officials agree the I-40 bridge needs to reopen as quickly as possible, one Arkansas leader isn’t fond of the August deadline.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

Transportation Sec. Buttigieg talks infrastructure funding during Memphis visit

Updated: Jun. 3, 2021 at 10:57 PM CDT

By Action News 5 Staff

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg took some time to speak with WMC Action News 5 one-on-one Thursday.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

Memphis business owner feeling strain of I-40 bridge closure

Updated: Jun. 3, 2021 at 9:36 PM CDT

By Kelli Cook

Several links in the transportation chain are feeling the strain of the I-40 bridge closure.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

Buttigieg hears far-reaching effects of I-40 bridge closure on trucking, shipping industries

Updated: Jun. 3, 2021 at 5:29 PM CDT

By Chris Luther

The closure of the I-40 Hernando DeSoto bridge is severely impacting FedEx’s ability to move freight across the country, but it is also having ripple effects on the entire trucking industry.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

TDOT: Repairs on I-40 bridge could stretch into July or later

Updated: Jun. 3, 2021 at 4:49 PM CDT

By Chris Luther

For the first time, Arkansas and Tennessee Department of Transportation officials gave a timeline for repairs they say could stretch into July or even longer.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visits Memphis to discuss impact of I-40 bridge closure

Updated: Jun. 3, 2021 at 2:38 PM CDT

By Action News 5 Staff

Buttigieg will participate in a roundtable discussion hosted by FedEx to discuss the impact of the I-40 bridge closure on the transportation industry and critical infrastructure investments.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

TDOT inspecting upper trusses of I-40 bridge, repairs ongoing

Updated: Jun. 3, 2021 at 9:09 AM CDT

By Action News 5 Staff

The Tennessee Department of Transportation released a new picture Thursday morning of an inspector checking out the upper trusses of the I-40 bridge.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

Memphis Chamber pushes for new bridge over Mississippi River

Updated: Jun. 2, 2021 at 11:08 PM CDT

By Kelli Cook

It may seem like discussion of a third bridge has only picked up steam lately, but in reality it’s been around for over a decade.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown

Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg to visit Memphis for update on I-40 bridge, closure impact

Updated: Jun. 2, 2021 at 6:52 PM CDT

By Kelly Roberts

Buttigieg will visit the I-40 bridge to see the progress that’s been made. He’ll also attend sessions with FedEx to learn how the bridge closure has affected the nation’s distribution hub.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown