摘要: |
The Hernando de Soto Bridge at Memphis, Tenn., will partially reopen to vehicle traffic August 2. Eastbound traffic is to resume across the bridge on Interstate 40 with all lanes open by 6 a.m. on that day. Westbound traffic on the bridge will resume August 6 with the time to be announced. All lanes will be open. The bridge has been closed since a contractor for the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ArDOT) discovered a major crack in a bridge truss May 11. The crack led to both vehicle and river traffic being halted between Mile 736 and Mile 737. Traffic on the Lower Mississippi River under the bridge resumed after three days. During the river closure, 62 vessels and 1,058 barges had to queue before the Coast Guard lifted restrictions. Vehicle traffic was detoured onto the only other Memphis-area river crossing, on 1-55 as crews started three phases of plating repairs, which are now complete, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). ArDOT and TDOT share ownership of the bridge. The bridge connects Memphis to West Memphis, Ark. |