The Memphis-Arkansas bridge (commonly called the “Old Bridge”) could be closed for up to nine months during the proposed, three-year construction project to change the I-55 interchange at E.H. Crump Boulevard.
The new timeline information comes from a Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) flyer inviting the public to meetings for information and comments on the potential impacts of the construction.
The first of two meetings will be held Monday, June 1 at the West Memphis Civic Center (228 West Polk) from 3:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 4 in Memphis at MATA Central Station (545 S. Main) from 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
TDOT said, “the benefits of the project include reduced congestion, reduced number of crashes, and restored interstate route continuity.”
The public can submit comments at the meetings or within 21 days after the meetings.
Here’s what TDOT had to say about the design for the project when they chose it back in 2010:
“The current interchange is utilized by high volumes of traffic and is outdated, posing numerous safety and efficiency problems. The new design will allow I-55 traffic to flow continuously through the area.
“The existing cloverleaf interchange will be replaced with a roundabout, which will allow universal access for all north, south, east, and westbound local traffic. The new interchange will use less space than the existing cloverleaf and will require no residential or business displacements.”
