MEMPHIS, Tenn. / WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — Heads up, Mid-South drivers! The I-40 bridge, also known as the Hernando DeSoto Bridge or the “M” bridge, has been shut down indefinitely.
ArDOT getting up close to show you the fracture on the I-40 bridge. And yes the worker was safely strapped in. Safety ALWAYS comes first. @#40MSRiverBridgeyou pic.twitter.com/GH23psGp4J
— Arkansas DOT (@myARDOT) May 13, 2021
A TDOT spokesperson confirmed to FOX13 the bridge will be closed indefinitely.
PHOTOS: I-40 Bridge closed after crack discovered; backups stretch for miles
First images of the Memphis bridge structural damage from Nicole Lawrence of TDOT. @FOX13Memphis pic.twitter.com/56DI5ntBGA
— Joey Sulipeck FOX13 (@joeysulipeck) May 12, 2021
According to an ARDOT spokesperson, the bridge is closed because of a “structural infrastructure crack” in the bridge.
TDOT says the crack was found in the “bottom side of the bridge truss” or support beam.
MORE: Here are the alternate routes to get you around the I-40 bridge closure
I-55 bridge is an alternative route this morning to go into Arkansas or come into Memphis this morning @FOX13Memphis pic.twitter.com/qVKuYrXX0x
— Amy Speropoulos (@AmySperopTV) May 12, 2021
According to a tweet from ARDOT, the bridge will be closed at least through Wednesday morning rush hour as engineers inspect drone footage of the crack.
TDOT officials are expected to give an update on the bridge closure Wednesday morning. River traffic is also shut down until further notice.
RELATED: I-40 bridge closure impacting truckers, causing shipping woes
The crack was discovered by an ARDOT consultant. The spokesperson said drones are coming in so the inspectors can look over the damage.
The spokesperson added that he will not know how long the bridge will be closed until the inspectors can see the damage.
https://t.co/hjBj7RD9JU - A routine inspection of I-40 MS River Bridge revealed a crack that requires further investigation - we're working with @myTDOT to make sure the bridge is safe for motorists before we reopen it. Stay tuned to @IDriveArkansas for updates!
— Arkansas DOT (@myARDOT) May 11, 2021
Officials are currently meeting to find out how much the bridge is damaged and the timeframe for repairs.
ARDOT and TDOT are working together to make sure the bridge is safe before traffic is reopened.
The Hernando DeSoto Bridge was constructed in 1972. It cost $57 million, which is about $335 million today.
Alternate routes:
Arkansas I-40 eastbound traffic should take Exit 5 to Interstate 55 to cross the Mississippi River into Memphis.
Tennessee I-40 westbound traffic should take the I-55 Bridge across the Mississippi River to cross into Arkansas and then take Exit 4 to access I-40 westbound.
The I-40 Bridge is closed until further notice. There are 3 MS River crossings in the Mid-South. The other two are over an hour away from Memphis. pic.twitter.com/cM3ELx6Hm4
— Elisabeth D'Amore (@edamoreFOX13) May 11, 2021
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