I 40 bridge between Arkansas and Tenn CLOSED

[Iowa Frogfarmer]

The Hernando de Soto Bridge is a through arch bridge connecting West Memphis, Arkansas to Memphis, Tennessee across the Mississippi river on I-40. The 9,432 foot long bridge is, as you can imagine, one of the busier bridges in the region. Over 37,000 cars, trucks, and tractor trailers cross the bridge every day, but that’s been put to a halt. On Tuesday an Arkansas Department of Transportation inspection of the bridge uncovered a structural crack in the bridge around 2 p.m., and all lanes of the bridge were subsequently closed.

According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, the public information officer for ADOT confirmed the existence of the crack, and claimed the stoppage could last “as little as an hour or as long as a week” with no defined re-opening procedure.

[PhilFromMaine]

Originally Posted by Iowa Frogfarmer

The Hernando de Soto Bridge is a through arch bridge connecting West Memphis, Arkansas to Memphis, Tennessee across the Mississippi river on I-40. The 9,432 foot long bridge is, as you can imagine, one of the busier bridges in the region. Over 37,000 cars, trucks, and tractor trailers cross the bridge every day, but that’s been put to a halt. On Tuesday an Arkansas Department of Transportation inspection of the bridge uncovered a structural crack in the bridge around 2 p.m., and all lanes of the bridge were subsequently closed.

According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, the public information officer for ADOT confirmed the existence of the crack, and claimed the stoppage could last “as little as an hour or as long as a week” with no defined re-opening procedure.

Thank god for Bridge Inspectors.

[ysidive]

Originally Posted by Iowa Frogfarmer

The Hernando de Soto Bridge is a through arch bridge connecting West Memphis, Arkansas to Memphis, Tennessee across the Mississippi river on I-40. The 9,432 foot long bridge is, as you can imagine, one of the busier bridges in the region. Over 37,000 cars, trucks, and tractor trailers cross the bridge every day, but that’s been put to a halt. On Tuesday an Arkansas Department of Transportation inspection of the bridge uncovered a structural crack in the bridge around 2 p.m., and all lanes of the bridge were subsequently closed.

According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, the public information officer for ADOT confirmed the existence of the crack, and claimed the stoppage could last “as little as an hour or as long as a week” with no defined re-opening procedure.

So how far do you have to travel to cross the Mississippi in that area...?

[glvest]

The I-55 bridge is in the same area, about a mile south of the I-40 bridge.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by PhilFromMaine

Thank god for Bridge Inspectors.

And hopefully they are doing a good job on the rest of the bridges like this around the country.

Sadly there are way too many that have been neglected and are disasters just waiting to happen (like the collapse in Minneapolis a few years ago).

According to recent reports there are 47,000 structurally deficient and in need of repairs across the US. Sadly those responsible for repairs and maintenance have to watch the money that's supposed to go to these repairs (gas tax) diverted to other uses (bike lanes, light rail, etc).

The Interstate System was declared "completed" in 1992 so at the minimum many parts are 30 years old and some over 60 years old.

[FrankH35]

Always have hated that bridge. Can't tell you how many times I've been stuck on it in stop and go traffic. Thankfully I've never pulled a camper across it. As others have pointed out there is another bridge into Memphis a couple miles away.

[Sarahcat]

Originally Posted by glvest

The I-55 bridge is in the same area, about a mile south of the I-40 bridge.

The I55 bridge is a 4-lane bridge that is rusty and crumbling. It’s also 4 lanes, rather than the 6-lane I40 bridge.

We were just on the I55 bridge a few weeks ago and a fifth wheel seemed to have broken loose and the tongue bashed on the rear of the towing truck’s cab. Traffic was stalled for about an hour, since traffic was compressed into a single lane headed to the Mississippi border.

Also, our journey on I55 between the Tennessee border and the Missouri border was like a washboard. All of the switches on our ePro were turned, screws were loosened, and anything not tied down was on the floor. I55 through Arkansas is a really terrible highway. It looks fine, but will shake you to death, towing a tiny trailer.

[Bob_Loblaw]

Pretty significant crack:

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by Bob_Loblaw

Pretty significant crack:

And if there's one that is this visible, how many others on the same bridge that "developing"?

[Blue Timber]

It's particularly distressing because, from what we can see, there is no stress riser in that area. No joint, weld, hole, etc. That means there is most likely a flaw in the steel material such as an inclusion or void. These are extremely difficult to find in non-cracked locations. Please pray there is a weld or obvious defect we can't see because otherwise it will be a huge job to find more flaws.

[KRedburn]

Just read on the news. I40 bridge may be out of service for months.

Not good.

[D W]

Originally Posted by Bob_Loblaw

Pretty significant crack:

Oh my! That's not a crack. That girder is just plain broke!

Here in Alaska we don't have the best of roads (compared to lower 48), but I give AKDOT credit. When a slight problem happens they're on it and they get it fixed before it becomes a major problem. When we had the December 2018 earthquake we had massive road damage. Some of the road beds collapsed two lanes wide with drops of 20 feet down. Within 5-6 weeks the roads were repaired and looked like nothing had ever happened.

[lesptr]

Just smear some JB Weld on it. It’ll be fine. What could possibly go wrong?

[glvest]

The I-55 bridge is a much older bridge, built in 1916. I live in the area and have been across it numerous times pulling our trailer. Have not had much of an issue. It is narrower and the semis feel like they are an inch off your door handle. But it is an alternative.

[AudiDudi]

Looks like it has been cracked for quite a while as the crack appears to be rusted.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by lesptr

Just smear some JB Weld on it. It’ll be fine. What could possibly go wrong?

I was thinking that too Then I thought it might be better to just buy a Harbor Freight arc welder and fix it as it sits. A few sticks and about an hour should get things back in business

[Blackrock]

They have a call on to this feller to come and fix it.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...tail&FORM=VIRE

[railroaderone]

Gorilla glue 2x4 and duct tape good to go

[Blallen58]

The I- 40 Bridge in Memphis crossing the Mississippi River has been closed due to a crack in the bridge. There are alternate routes one of them being I 55 which crosses the river just south of I 40.

Here is a link to Tennessee DOT about the bridge.

[hshaynes]

ARDOT just fired the inspector who was a 15 year employee (so much for retirement) and are in the process of reinspecting everything that he has inspected. Guess his new career will be flipping burgers.