# 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:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**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:** [May 25, 2021, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/162 "2021-05-25T19:00:53Z")
Each bridge had been carrying about 45,000 vehicles per day–thus a total of 90,000 vehicles per day. Currently I-55 bridge is carrying 66,000 vehicles per day. So the question is what happened to the other 24,000 vehicles per day. > **[Field inspection finished for I-55 bridge](https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2021/may/25/field-inspection-finished-for-i-55-bridge/)** > > A field inspection of the Interstate 55 bridge between Memphis and West Memphis has been completed, and "so far, there is nothing of concern," according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation. I expect Memphis residents are cutting or combining a lot of shopping or entertainment trips. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2021, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/163 "2021-05-25T20:19:30Z")
It’s a through arch bridge, not a cable stayed one. The issue they’re pointing out is that there isn’t the “through” part. ---
**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:** [May 25, 2021, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/164 "2021-05-25T22:24:43Z")
TDOT has finished the temporary reinforcement. It will allow repair workers on the bridge. That’s an impressive hunk of steel they bolted on. > **[TDOT: Phase one of the I-40 bridge repair complete](https://wreg.com/news/tdot-phase-one-of-the-i-40-bridge-repair-complete/)** > > MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Tennessee Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that phase one of the I-40 Hernando Desoto Bridge repair has been completed. A spokesperson for the department said Kie… ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/165 "2021-05-26T13:55:33Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > That’s an impressive hunk of steel they bolted on. Where are you seeing descriptions of the size of the steel? Or are you basing it on the number of bolt holes mentioned in your cite? Or am I missing something? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/166 "2021-05-26T15:15:23Z")
The pictures lower down in the article show a built-up scab plate totalling ~5" thick, ~6 feet tall, and ~20 feet long. The article isn’t perfectly precise, but it implies they’ll be installing a similar backing plate on the interior surface of that face of the box beam and doing that to all 4 sides of the box beam. So 8 plates total. So a lot of steel on the scale of a person, but not so much on the scale of a whole bridge. Then again, compared to a more-or-less circumferential crack whose total length is WAG 15 feet and whose span along the beam’s axis is barely 1 foot it’s still a pretty big scab. ---
**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:** [May 26, 2021, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/167 "2021-05-26T15:21:59Z")
> [@naita](#): > > Where are you seeing descriptions of the size of the steel? Or are you basing it on the number of bolt holes mentioned in your cite? Or am I missing something? I was looking at the photo in that article. It looks thicker than the steel used in the box beam. That’s just my impression. I haven’t seen any specifications. They’ve already done a lot of work setting up the work platform and installing the temporary reinforcement. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/168 "2021-05-26T15:29:04Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I was looking at the photo in that article. It looks thicker than the steel used in the box beam. That’s just my impression. I haven’t seen any specifications. That’s weird. It’s just showing me one photo, showing the crack, and none of the repairs. I checked twice more just to be sure. Annoying. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/169 "2021-05-26T15:29:13Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > ~20 feet long. 50 feet long according a district operations engineer. > **[Phase One of repairs on I-40 Bridge begin as steel plates arrive in Memphis,...](https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/phase-one-of-repairs-on-i-40-bridge-begin-as-steel-plates-arrive-in-memphis/article_dba1c3a5-4d3d-5d5f-b2e0-9196689ccda6.html)** > > Brandon Akins said Saturday was huge in the continued work to get the I-40 Bridge back open for traffic. ---
**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:** [May 26, 2021, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/170 "2021-05-26T15:34:54Z")
The article has an embedded photo from Facebook. Here’s a direct link. It will work without using a Facebook login. > **[The City of West Memphis](https://www.facebook.com/thecityofwestmemphis/posts/2705685793065057)** > > 🚧 I-40 BRIDGE UPDATE 🚧 > myTDOT: The drilling and bolting of 315 holes for the outside steel plate were completed last night. Now the brackets can be installed, and the drilling can begin on the 72... ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2021, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/171 "2021-05-26T15:38:44Z")
Thanks! Maybe it’s Firefox protecting me against Facebook following me around the web that caused the issue. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2021, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/172 "2021-05-27T02:37:56Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > The article has an embedded photo from Facebook. Here’s a direct link. It will work without using a Facebook login. Facebook: “You must log in to continue.” ---
**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:** [May 27, 2021, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/173 "2021-05-27T03:23:43Z")
Front and back–click on the charlotteobserver link to see the front while you can see the back below): [![](https://www.charlotteobserver.com/latest-news/y07g13/picture251691688/alternates/FREE_1140/Platform-TDOT-5-24-21-2.jpg) ](https://www.charlotteobserver.com/latest-news/y07g13/picture251691688/alternates/FREE_1140/Platform-TDOT-5-24-21-2.jpg) [![](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/05/25/PMCA/0fc03647-e1de-484b-8379-1518d00d3e97-bridge-repair2.jpg) ](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/05/25/PMCA/0fc03647-e1de-484b-8379-1518d00d3e97-bridge-repair2.jpg) ---
**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:** [May 27, 2021, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/174 "2021-05-27T04:21:24Z")
> [@Melbourne](#): > > Facebook: “You must log in to continue.” Oops, it worked for me. I’m glad an alternate link was posted. West Memphis posts their bridge updates on Facebook. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2021, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/175 "2021-05-27T12:27:55Z")
Sure would be nice to persuade everybody not make TwitFace the _de facto_ universal walled garden of public content. The web was built as a vendor neutral public space for a reason; a good reason. ---
**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:** [May 27, 2021, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/176 "2021-05-27T12:33:51Z")
“_was_” 😢 ---
**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:** [May 27, 2021, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/177 "2021-05-27T14:46:19Z")
> **[Faulty weld suspected for I-40 bridge fracture](https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2021/may/27/faulty-weld-suspected-for-i-40-bridge-fracture/?latest)** > > WEST MEMPHIS --A bad weld is suspected as the cause of the significant fracture found in a 900-foot steel beam on the Interstate 40 bridge over the Mississippi River at Memphis, according to a top Arkansas Department of Transportation official. So they are going to to perform ultrasonic testing on other welds on all four 900-foot steel beams tied to the twin arches holding up the suspension portion of the bridge. ---
**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:** [May 28, 2021, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/178 "2021-05-28T12:32:46Z")
> Engineers from the adjoining states announced Thursday that they had decided how to fix the fractured bridge, electing to add steel plating around the cracked area. That fix, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation, can be completed several weeks sooner than the alternative – replacing the entire 900-foot beam. > **[Next week is aim for I-40 bridge timeline | Arkansas Democrat Gazette](https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2021/may/28/next-week-aim-for-i-40-bridge-startup-schedule/?news-arkansas)** > > Transportation officials in Arkansas and Tennessee hope to release the schedule next week for reopening the Interstate 40 bridge over the Mississippi River. ---
**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:** [June 4, 2021, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/179 "2021-06-04T00:13:12Z")
> The plan calls for installing the 20,000-ton, 4 ft x 8 ft post-tensioned brackets150 ft apart to support eight 3-in. thick rods that can accommodate 3 million lb of stress. Kiewit will then use nearly 3,000 bolts to attach 150-ft long steel plates weighing 53 tons on both sides of the beam. > Fabrication of the materials is currently underway on a priority basis at two plants, Bright said, with delivery to the Arkansas-Tennessee bridge site expected in late June. > Installation will begin immediately and likely take most, if not all, of July. > **[Kiewit Could Start I-40 Bridge Permanent Repairs By End of June](https://www.enr.com/articles/51858-kiewit-could-start-i-40-bridge-permanent-repairs-by-end-of-june)** > > The contractor is procuring components to reinforce fractured girder as DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg visits Mississippi River site. > Average peak travel times recorded last week included 65 minutes to 55 minutes to cross from Arkansas to Tennessee between 9 a.m. and 6 a.m. Traveling the opposite way took between 29 minutes and 25 minutes between noon and 5 p.m., according to the update. > **[No date on I-40 bridge reopening | Arkansas Democrat Gazette](https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2021/jun/03/no-date-on-i-40-bridge-reopening/?news-arkansas)** > > A timeline for when the Interstate 40 bridge over the Mississippi River will reopen remains several weeks away, the Tennessee Department of Transportation said Wednesday. ---
**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:** [June 4, 2021, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/180 "2021-06-04T11:09:32Z")
I’m glad they have settled on a approach for a permanent repair. I guess they plan to reinforce the plates that were just installed? Using the brackets and rods mentioned in the article. Hopefully they’ll post photos of the completed work. ---
**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:** [June 4, 2021, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897/181 "2021-06-04T20:57:28Z")
Recent drone footage of the phase 1 repair. He captured some good angles. The crack is still visible on top. I only see bolts on the ends of the new steel. Looks like they installed a rectangler frame at 1:28 for the bracket in phase 2. 4 min video. You may want to mute your audio. Music is a little annoying. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/tutA8KOUrow/maxresdefault.jpg "Drone Footage I-40 Bridge Crack Repair Tennessee Memphis Arkansas Bridge Spa Guy") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tutA8KOUrow) [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=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-40-bridge-into-memphis-closed-for-emergency-inspection-update-bridge-has-been-re-opened/941897.md?page=10)