No timeline on when I-40 bridge could reopen, officials say

MID-SOUTH — Tennessee Department of Transportation officials gave an update Wednesday morning on the indefinite closure of the bridge.

There is no timeline on when the I-40 bridge could reopen to traffic, officials say.

PHOTOS: I-40 Bridge closed after crack discovered

Crack in I-40 Memphis Bridge TDOT released this picture of the crack that caused the I-40 Bridge to be shut down indefinitely. (TDOT)

A TDOT official released images of the crack via Twitter, saying that it could take a couple of weeks to complete the inspection into the crack.

Officials said they noticed rust in the crack of the steel and believe the crack has been there at least a week.

Today TDOT officials held a press event to talk about the I-40 Hernando DeSoto Bridge closure. The inspection is still underway, and could take a couple weeks to complete. A timeline will be shared as soon as we have one. Continue to use alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/Zfz4izuyED
— Nichole Lawrence (@NicLawrenceTDOT) May 12, 2021

The U.S. DOT has given emergency management authority for an emergency contract to get the bridge repaired as soon as possible, according to TDOT commissioner Clay Bright.

The I-55 bridge will be monitored 24 hours a day to clear any traffic incidents.

Officials are monitoring the capacity of the I-40 bridge to hold its own weight as well as that of traffic, TDOT Chief Engineer Paul Degges said.

Approximately 50,000 vehicles drive over the bridge each day. 25% are trucks.

Officials are looking into whether the bridge is safe for inspections and even safe for repairs.

An update:

“Possible” the bridge could be closed “months” not weeks, says @myTDOT chief engineer Paul Degges, joined by commissioner Clay Bright. Initial assessment of the fracture, which is less than a quarter of an inch, will take 2-3 weeks, he said. pic.twitter.com/h45plBqAfR
— Dakarai Turner (@Dakarai_Turner) May 12, 2021

Degges said the bridge closure could go on for weeks or months, but he could not speculate on a timeline.

TDOT officials are hopeful that barge traffic along the Mississippi River can resume in a few days.

TDOT is responsible for repairs and maintenance of the bridge. ARDOT is responsible for inspections, which happen every two years.

An ARDOT inspector noticed the crack on the first day of inspection, then called 911.

MORE: Here are the alternate routes to get you around the I-40 bridge closure

Degges said he could not speculate on when the crack happened.

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