Lane Closures Ahead on I-240 for Bridge Work
Look for lane closures on I-240 beginning the middle of next month.
Tennessee Department of Transportation’s (TDOT) MemFix 4 project will bring crews to replace four bridges over I-240 and that will bring temporary closures to a stretch of I-240 from the I-40/I-240 split through to the I-40/SR 385 split.
The $54 million project will replace four bridges: East Poplar, West Poplar, Norfolk Southern Railroad, and Park Avenue over Interstate 240 in East Memphis. The bridges were built in the 1950s and early 1960s, according to TDOT, and “have structural deterioration and deficiencies that need to be addressed.”
“This project will provide a safer commute for the roughly 50,000 vehicles that travel this section of Poplar and Park Avenues and the trains that travel this section of the Norfolk Southern Railroad every day, as well as the 138,000 motorists who travel under the bridges on I-240,” according to TDOT.
Lane closures on 240 start Wednesday, July 11th.
Here’s the full schedule from TDOT:
• Friday, July 13th, 9 p.m. until Monday, July 16th, 6 a.m. – Poplar Avenue eastbound will be closed at the I-240 interchange. I-240 will remain open.
• Friday, July 13th, midnight until Monday, July 16th, 6 a.m. – Poplar Avenue westbound will be closed at the I-240 interchange. The I-240 eastbound ramp to Poplar Avenue westbound will be closed. I-240 will remain open.
• Friday, July 20th, 9 p.m. until Monday, July 23rd, 6 a.m. – FULL CLOSURE of I-240 east and westbound and Poplar Avenue east and westbound.
• Friday, July 27th, 9:00 p.m. until Monday, July 30th, 6 a.m. – FULL CLOSURE of I-240 east and westbound and Poplar Avenue east and westbound.
During the closures, all interstate traffic will be detoured to the north I-40 loop and the south I-240 loop. Poplar Avenue eastbound and westbound will also be closed during these weekends.
Walnut Grove and Park Avenue will be open, but access to I-240 will be prohibited. Message boards will alert motorists to the closures and alternate routes. Drivers are advised to plan ahead.
