America’s River Crossing Bridge Replacement (I-55 Bridge)

History and Background

The Memphis-Arkansas Bridge opened in December 1949 and was originally part of the US 40 corridor. It replaced narrow traffic lanes on the Harahan Bridge, constructed in 1916. The Memphis-Arkansas Bridge carries I-55 across the Mississippi River and is the southernmost of the bridges in the Memphis area. In 2001, the bridge was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. TDOT and ARDOT have coordinated on numerous studies since 2003, including:

• 2003 – Highway 79 and Mississippi River Crossing Study
• 2006 MS River Crossing Feasibility and Location Study
  
• 2006 Executive Summary
• 2011 The Southern Gateway Purpose and Need
  
• 2014 The Southern Gateway Cost Benefit Analysis  
• 2023 Targeted Approach for Crossing the MS River

Public Involvement and Engagement

In accordance with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) regulations and under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), an environmental document is required that identifies the significance of a project’s environmental impact. An Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared, and can be viewed at the links below.

Looking forward and after submitting the finalized EA to FHWA, the project team is anticipating receipt of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), prior to beginning Functional Design. Functional Design must be completed before the proposed project can begin construction.

TDOT will conduct two Public Hearings, presenting the same information at each, for the proposed Project. Hearings will be held on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at Central Station Hotel Memphis located at 545 S Main Street, City of Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, and on Thursday, November 14, at Radisson Hotel West Memphis located at 2007 S Service Road, City of West Memphis, Crittenden County, Arkansas. Both hearings will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., during which time there will be a formal presentation beginning at 6:00 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session. Before and after the formal presentation, hearings will follow an open-house format. Representatives from the Department will be present to provide information relative to the general location, major design features, the social, economic, environmental, and/or other effects of the proposed Project, the relocation assistance program, the tentative schedules for right-of-way acquisition, construction and any other matters of public interest. The public is invited to ask questions and to make comments during the hearing.

The public will be given the opportunity to express their opinions on any aspect of this Project. Comment sheets will be available for those who prefer to make written statements at the public hearings, and a court reporter will be available to take verbal comments at the public hearings. Written statements and other exhibits to be included in the Project transcript may be submitted now, and must be submitted within twenty-one (21) days, or by December 5, 2024.

Draft Environmental Assessment

TDOT has prepared a draft Environmental Assessment (EA). The draft EA, along with exhibits that will be shown at a public hearing, is available for review below.

Comments may be left through the survey link below, or by filling out and submitting the comment card linked below.

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