Thanks to the closure of the Hernando DeSoto Bridge, big trucks roll through West Memphis neighborhoods, driveways are blocked, and emergency medical services are “struggling,” according to a Friday Facebook post from West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon.
McClendon said he knows citizens are “frustrated and looking for someone to point the finger at” and he’s “normally that target.” But he reminded West Memphians “that I live in this city also, and I see what you see.”
“I understand that big trucks are going through your communities, tearing up city streets, and prohibiting our children from simply playing in the yard,” he wrote. “After a hard day’s work you just want to get home for some relaxation and peace, but your driveway or entrances are blocked. I know the impact that this is having on our local businesses and especially small businesses. Our emergency medical services are struggling just to make it through traffic.”
He said GPS services are now routing truckers in residential communities and that “we are working with Google [for a] virtual reroute.” He said he’s working with the Arkansas Department of Transportation on a number of adjustments to alleviate traffic, but “I believe the only solution to this is getting that new bridge fixed quickly.”
Pray for West Memphis!
West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon
“Be safe out there, and pray for West Memphis!” McClendon wrote. “We will get through this together. There was not a road map through COVID and a bridge closing but this too shall pass!”