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Bridge saga continues with traffic issues, repairs ongoing

Rerouted traffic patterns cause chaos in West Memphis, long backups on interstates

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Rerouted traffic patterns cause chaos in West Memphis, long backups on interstates

By JOHN RECH

news@theeveningtimes.com

Officials reported progress on the two interstate bridges to Memphis on Monday. ARDOT and TDOT worked on each end of the Memphis and Arkansas Bridge to improve traffic flow on the Interstate 55 detour. Phase two, permanent repairs, on closed Interstate 40 Hernando DeSoto Bridge progressed along with special inspections.

In Arkansas, most West Memphis exits were closed in an effort to reduce highway traffic in the city. Interstate travelers exiting the highway and trying to gain time driving city streets exacerbated east side city residents. Traffic sometime clogged residential streets and blocked driveway access, as motorists tried circumnavigating the clogged Interstate. City residents complained to city hall and on social media about blocked driveway. Mayor Marco McClendon responded.

“I understand that big trucks are going through your communities, tearing up city streets and prohibiting our children from simply playing in the yard,” said McClendon, “GPS are bringing trucking through our city and we are working with Google to virtual reroute.”

ARDOT also cordoned off the center lane of the Interstate interchange to prevent lane changes between Interstate 40 and 55 traffic. The effort aimed at reducing time consuming lane changes, which block

See BRIDGES, page A3

Contractor crew lowered the first weldment / anchor into place on the Hernando DeSoto Bridge on Monday. Customized tensioners were on hand to fasten the plate to the bridge marking the beginning of permanent repair to the Interstate 40 bridge.

Photo by TDOT

Worker examined new yellow plates boxing in a fragile section on the fractured Hernando Desoto Bridge during weekend work. Repairs continued around the clock last week.

By TDOT BRIDGES

From page A1

both lanes, and increasing safety by reducing congestion caused by lane change related fender benders. The measure seemed counterintuitive to commuters but paid off with much improved traffic flow when TDOT finished widening the one lane bottleneck on Interstate 55 at Crump Boulevard to two lanes on Monday morning. Traffic flow into West Memphis also improved as TDOT finished filling pot holes and making road patches over the weekend.

State Senator Keith Ingram noted improved traffic flow. TDOT and ARDOT made changes to their respective portions of the Interstate to lessen congestion.

“Following recent traffic pattern changes by ARDOT and TDOT, less congestion and fewer backups have been observed on I-40 and I-55,” said Ingram.

TDOT Western District Public Information Director Nicole Lewis noted Monday the latest improvements to enhance traffic flow.

“All interstate traffic in the Memphis area is being diverted to I-55,” said Lewis. “A second lane was added over the weekend to the I-55 southbound ramp to help alleviate some congestion and advance flow through the Crump Interchange. Crews also repaired some damaged pavement on I-55 northbound. Traffic is much better today.”

On Monday TDOT reported significant progress on Interstate 40 repairs as well.

“Both PT weldments/anchors were delivered this weekend and are being installed,” said Lewis. “The first anchor is 50 percent complete. Installation of the second anchor will start as soon as Tuesday. Threaded post-tensioning (PT) bars have arrived. These are highstrength bars that have been specialty fabricated for the project. Installation of these bars will begin this week.”

In-depth ultrasonic inspections of welds on the Hernando DeSoto Bridge continued well with nothing of concern reported.

Don’t look down. A Worker stood on special platform 110 feet above the Mississippi River to install reinforcing plates on the Hernando DeSoto Bridge.

Photo by TDOT

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