I-40/Hernando DeSoto Seismic Retrofit Project Update for October 22

Friday, October 22, 2010 | 03:35am
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Crews working to seismically retrofit the I-40/Hernando DeSoto Bridge over the Mississippi River in Memphis have safely and successfully installed five of six seismic bridge joints and have now removed the last old bridge joint. All three new seismic expansion joints are now in place on the westbound side. Crews are finalizing the work on the westbound piers and continue to work to replace the bridge railing this week.  Once the bridge railing is back in place the deck will be restriped for traffic. On the eastbound side, crews have safely installed two new seismic expansion joints and have poured the concrete bridge deck around both new joints. The contractor has removed the final existing expansion joint; with structural steel components of the new seismic expansion joint being installed. Final preparations for the eastbound side will include replacing the bridge rail and restriping for traffic.
 
Traffic remains reduced to one 11-foot travel lane in each direction near exit 1. The two right (outside) lanes will be closed until completion of the project, which is scheduled for mid-November but crews are currently well ahead of schedule.  All wide loads and over height loads must utilize the I-155 Bridge in Dyersburg until completion of the current I-40 project. 
 
TDOT has created a project website, http://www.tn.gov/tdot/i40hd/, to keep the public informed about the project.
 
For up-to-date travel information visit the TDOT SmartWay website at http://www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway/ or dial 5-1-1 from any land-line or cellular phone.  TDOT is also on Twitter. For traffic alerts in the Memphis area follow @Memphis511 on Twitter or follow @TN511 for statewide updates.
 
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For More Information Contact:
Nichole Lawrence
Region 4 Community Relations Officer
731.935.0318
nichole.lawrence@tn.gov

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