# I-40 Bridge (into Memphis) closed for emergency inspection \[update - bridge has been re-opened\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 12, 2021, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897 "2021-05-12T11:39:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2021, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/222 "2021-07-23T00:11:46Z")
> **[One cracked bridge. One person fired. A troubling rush to judgment raises...](https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2021/07/21/one-cracked-bridge-one-person-fired-a-troubling-rush-to-judgment-raises-major-questions-about-bridge-inspections)** > > An investigation into what happened after the crack in the Hernando DeSoto Bridge over the Mississippi River was discovered revealed a troubling rush to judgment, evidence the crack has existed for at least seven years and major questions about the... > **[Crews set steel plates needed for repairs to I-40 bridge](https://www.actionnews5.com/2021/07/20/crews-set-steel-plates-needed-repairs-i-40-bridge/)** > > TDOT says crews have set the first five of six plates needed for repairs to the damaged structure. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2021, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/223 "2021-07-24T03:05:18Z")
Quoted from the briefing doc on Friday, July 23. They’re getting very close to reopening the bridge. Maybe three more weeks or less? [https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/region-4/i-40-hernando-desoto-bridge/library.html](https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/region-4/i-40-hernando-desoto-bridge/library.html) > [@](#): > > Contractors are progressing on the phase three repairs. There is now a total of 17 plates. Thirteen of the 17 plates have been at least “rough-set.” The last four plates are arriving today and will be set over the next few days. Aside from the drilling, bolting, and torqueing, installation of these plates is a process that also involves the removal of the lateral bracing, modification of the gusset connection plate, and reinstallation of the lateral bracing. Once the last bolt is torqued on the plate, these items can be completed. This work will likely push us into the first part of August in opening the bridge to traffic. We will have more of a specific schedule next week. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2021, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/224 "2021-07-31T01:17:32Z")
Good news! > Transportation officials on Friday sped up their plans to reopen the Interstate 40 bridge linking Arkansas and Tennessee that was closed after a crack was discovered in the span. > > The Tennessee Department of Transportation said the eastbound lanes of the Hernando DeSoto Bridge over the Mississippi River will reopen to limited traffic on Saturday night, moving up their original plan to partially reopen the bridge on Monday morning. > > “The contractor is ahead of schedule and the eastbound lanes will now reopen tomorrow night!" the department said in a statement posted on its website Friday afternoon. > > The department said it still planned to reopen the bridge’s westbound lanes Aug. 6, though it said that could also get moved up. The opening schedule is barring any complications, the department said. [https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Opening-of-I-40-bridge-linking-Arkansas-16353241.php](https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Opening-of-I-40-bridge-linking-Arkansas-16353241.php) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2021, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/225 "2021-07-31T02:39:07Z")
Eastbound lanes go across the bridge into Memphis. Westbound traffic leaves the city and goes into West Memphis Arkansas. There will be a lot of happy commuters next week. I know people in Little Rock that postponed trips to Memphis until the bridge reopens. TDOT did a good job pulling together the resources needed to complete repairs. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2021, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/226 "2021-08-01T05:10:41Z")
It’s open! > **[I-40 bridge linking Arkansas, Tennessee re-opened](https://apnews.com/article/business-arkansas-tennessee-4d92262964970476f499d3e0a7f5d1a8)** > > MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Authorities on Saturday night reopened the Interstate 40 bridge linking Arkansas and Tennessee that had been closed ever since a crack was discovered in the span in May. The Hernando DeSoto Bridge, a key artery for U.S. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/227 "2021-08-02T18:03:36Z")
> **[I-40 bridge over Mississippi River fully reopens, officials say](https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2021/aug/02/all-westbound-lanes-i-40-bridge-tennessee-arkansas/)** > > The Interstate 40 bridge over the Mississippi River at Memphis has reopened, according to the Arkansas Department of Transportation. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/228 "2021-08-02T18:16:48Z")
Hooray!!! 🎉🎉 ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/229 "2021-08-02T18:28:03Z")
An example of government doing a job well, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2021, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/230 "2021-08-02T23:26:21Z")
It’s completely re-open now: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/CFI3mOLA7oU/maxresdefault.jpg "I-40 bridge over Mississippi River fully reopens") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFI3mOLA7oU) ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/231 "2021-08-04T01:50:52Z")
Thanks for the updates! A disaster was definitely averted. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/232 "2021-08-04T01:55:31Z")
Just in time, since the I-70 is now closed indefinitely in Colorado. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897.md?page=11)