08/02/21

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) reopened the eastbound lanes of Interstate 40 on the Hernando Desoto Bridge in Memphis yesterday, partially ending a huge traffic problem for private and business traffic that heavily impacted the movement of cargo from railhead near Memphis further east to other inland points.

The bridge’s westbound land are scheduled to reopen to traffic on Friday, August 6.

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05/13/21

The I-40 Hernando De Soto Bridge in Memphis remains shut down for emergency maintenance due to a crack.

The Arkansas Department of Transportation advises that a “routine bridge inspection on May 11 … revealed a significant fracture in a steel support beam that is crucial for the structure of the bridge. The inspector immediately notified emergency services and shut down all access to the bridge, including barge traffic on the Mississippi River.”

Yesterday the Tennessee Department of Transportation stated in a press conference that it is “plausible” the I-40 Hernando de Soto bridge may not reopen for vehicles for months, not weeks.

The estimated 45,000 cars and trucks that use the I-40 bridge between Arkansas and Tennessee every day are rerouted to the I-55 bridge crossing the Mississippi further south and are expected to create huge congestion problems there.

This situation also impacts cargo traffic between the two states and the rail ramps located in Memphis TN and Marion AR that handle import and export traffic from and to inland points east of the area. FCL, LCL and truck moves moving in either direction for import and export will see significant delays and might require changes to the usual shipment patterns.

Please contact your V. Alexander Account Team about any cargo that might be impacted by this situation so that we can work on solutions for your supply chain needs.