I-40/Hernando DeSoto Seismic Retrofit Project Update for October 26

Tuesday, October 26, 2010 | 05:11am

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Crews working to seismically retrofit the I-40/Hernando DeSoto Bridge over the Mississippi River in Memphis have safely and successfully installed all six new seismic expansion bridge joints, with final structural steel components of the last joint being installed this week. All three new seismic expansion joints are in place on the westbound side and crews continue working to install new bridge railing.  Once the bridge railing is in place workers will stripe the new deck for traffic. On the eastbound side, crews have safely installed all three new seismic expansion joints and have poured the concrete bridge deck around two of the new joints. Workers are preparing to pour the last bridge deck this week.  Final preparations for the eastbound side will include replacing the bridge rail and restriping the roadway for traffic.

 At this time, the contractor is well ahead of the mid-November completion schedule. 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. All wide loads and over height loads must utilize the I-155 Bridge in Dyersburg until the project is finished. 
 
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 Office
731.935.0318

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