Large Sinkhole on I-240 in Memphis Closes Two Lanes Throughout Thursday

 

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Tennessee Department of Transportation maintenance personnel continue working to repair a large sinkhole on Interstate 240 just east of the Walnut Grove Interchange in Memphis. The sinkhole, which measures approximately 12-feet wide and eight-feet deep, is located in the two left lanes on I-240 eastbound near mile marker 13. The two right eastbound lanes are currently open but traffic is slow in the area. Around 3:00 p.m. the roadway pavement located over the two left lanes failed exposing the sinkhole which had formed around a leaking storm sewer junction box. Crews must now rebuild the storm sewer junction box which requires them to create a form of the structure and pour concrete into the form. The concrete will then take several hours to cure before crews are able to repair the roadbed, repave and restripe the traffic lanes and reopen them to traffic.

 

I-240 will be reduced to two lanes near mile marker 13 until at least Thursday night, impacting both morning and evening rush hours. Motorists are strongly advised to avoid the area and seek an alternate route and plan for delays.

 

TDOT HELP units and the Memphis Police Department are on site to assist with traffic control.

For further information or updates please contact Nichole Lawrence, Community Relations Officer at 731-935-0318 or 731-225-6041.

 

For more up to date travel information visit the TDOT SmartWay Information System website at www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway/. Travelers can also dial 511 from any land-line or cellular phone to access valuable information about travel conditions anytime, or log on to www.TN511.com. TDOT is also on Twitter. For up to date traffic information for the Memphis area follow Memphis511 on Twitter or follow TN511 for statewide updates.