I-40/Hernando DeSoto Seismic Retrofit Project Update for September 27

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Work is now underway on the final phase of a project to install new seismic bridge joints along the Interstate 40 Bridge over the Mississippi River in Memphis. Crews launched Phase 3 of the I-40 seismic retrofit work on Sunday, a full three weeks ahead of schedule, by closing the westbound entrance ramp from Riverside Drive/Front Street to I-40. 

 

During phase three, traffic will remain reduced to one 11-foot travel lane in each direction. Crews will shift traffic to the two inside lanes of the bridge and begin work to replace the final bridge joints. The two right (outside) lanes will be closed until completion of the project, which is currently scheduled for mid-November. All wide loads, and over height loads must utilize the I-155 Bridge in Dyersburg until completion of the current I-40 project.

 

The next step for the contractor, OCCI, is to begin cutting into the three bridge decks for the removal of the old joints. This will allow crews to safely replace the old joints with new seismically retrofitted expansion joints. The installation of the seismic bridge joints will help make the I-40 Bridge more capable of withstanding a magnitude 7.7 earthquake.

 

The contractor completed Phase 2 and began Phase 3 three weeks early. Sixteen days into a 71 days job, crews have safely removed three of the old bridge joints, and successfully replaced them with a large seismically retrofitted bridge joint.  The work is part of a number of projects underway since 2000 to retrofit the nearly 40-year-old bridge to make it better capable of withstanding up to a 7.7 magnitude earthquake.

 

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.