Bridge over Mississippi River closed

Officials shut down Hernando Desoto Bridge after crack discovered

ralphhardin@gmail.com The “New Bridge,” as the Hernando Desoso Bridge connecting Memphis to

County Judge Woody Wheeless BRIDGE (cont.)

West Memphis is known, is one of two major lifelines crossing the Mississippi River between Crittenden County and Shelby County. Now that connection is down to one.

A routine bridge inspection of the Interstate 40 Mississippi River Bridge revealed a crack that requires further investigation, according to Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) officials. The bridge was closed closed to all traffic on Tuesday afternoon and will remain closed until further notice.

Crittenden County Judge Woody Wheeless took to social media to spread the word.

“A structural crack on the Hernando Desoto 'M' bridge has caused all I-40 lanes over Mississippi River to be closed,” Wheeless reported. “All traffic is now being re-routed to the I-55 bridge and this is causing major traffic issues. ARDOT shut the bridge down until further investigation can be done.

All waterway traffic has been stopped as well.”

ARDOT is working with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) to make sure the bridge is safe for motorists before it is reopened to any traffic.

Updates will be issued as they are available.

Arkansas I-40 eastbound traffic should take Exit 5 to Interstate 55 to cross the Mississippi River into Memphis.

Tennessee I-40 westbound traffic should take the I-55 Bridge across the Mississippi River to cross into Arkansas and then take Exit 4 to access I-40 westbound.

Law enforcement officials worked throughout Tuesday afternoon and evening to reroute traffic halted on Interstate 40.

“As I get updates, I will share the latest information with you,” said Wheeless.

“Please be patient traveling back and forth to Memphis and expect major delays crossing the bridge. I have no information at this time as to when the bridge will re-open.”

Find up-to-the-minute traffic updates on Twitter @myARDOT, @IDriveArkansas, and @myTDOT.