Last year, a national report predicted overall freight demand will double over the next 40 years, from 15 billion tons today to 30 billion tons by 2050.
How do Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi plan to deal with the projected Interstate traffic increase? They want to build a third bridge over the Mississippi River. The bridge’s exact location has yet to be determined, but it would either lead from Memphis into eastern Arkansas (like the other two bridges) or from North Mississippi into Arkansas.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation, the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, and the Mississippi Department of Transportation are jointly hosting a series of public meetings to discuss what’s being dubbed as the “Southern Gateway” project.
The first meeting was held March 21st at the NSA Mid-South Conference Center in Millington (5722 Integrity Dr.). Other meetings locations include Impact Baptist Church (3759 N. Watkins) tonight (March 22nd); M.R. Dye Public Library (2885 Goodman Rd., Horn Lake) on March 28th; Eugene Woods Civic Center (212 W. Polk Ave.) on March 29th; the MATA board room (545 S. Main) on April 4th; and Bishop Byrne High School (1475 E. Shelby Dr.) on April 5th.
