Stretch of I-55, Old Bridge to be closed this weekend

Stretch of I-55, Old Bridge to be closed this weekend

Heads up for rivercrossing travelers

ralphhardin@gmail.com Motorists heading to and from Memphis will need to take notice of a closure this weekend that could require some rerouting to reach their destinations.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation has plans to close down a stretch of Interstate 55 in both directions in order to complete the removal of an abandoned railroad bridge over the highway.

Plans cal for TDOT crews to begin detouring traffic this evening, starting at 7 p.m. To accommodate the work, all northbound traffic will be taken off I-55 at the I-240 junction. The southbound lanes will be detoured at the I-40 junction, which is actually in West Memphis.

TDOT said in a release that motorists will still have access to the Presidents Island southbound exit and the South Parkway West northbound exit. Detour signs will be posted.

The roadways are expected to be back open at 6 a.m. on Monday, April 3. The work schedule is subject to change in the event of weather-related delays.

By Ralph Hardin