U.S. 51 at the Wolf River Bridge to Close Temporarily for Bridge Work

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Tennessee Department of Transportation contract crews will close a section of U.S. Highway 51 at the Wolf River Bridge from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 in order to safely install deck panels on the bridge. The ramp from westbound State Route 300 to southbound U.S. 51 will also be closed.  Crews must temporarily close the bridge because of the river’s high water level which negated the use of a crane to access to the middle portion of the bridge. TDOT scheduled the closure from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. in order to avoid peak travel times in the area and minimize travel delays for motorists.

 

Traffic will be detoured along SR-300, Interstate 40, and Firestone Avenue. A posted detour route is in place. During the six hour closure, the City of Memphis Emergency Personnel and MATA Bus Services will also be re-routed.

 

Mountain States Contractors, LLC is the prime contractor on the $13.7 million bridge project. The total project is estimated to be completed by October 31, 2010.

 

For further information or updates please contact Nichole Lawrence, Community Relations Officer at 731-935-0318 or 731-225-6041.

For up to date travel information visit the TDOT SmartWay Information System website at www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway/.  Travelers can also dial 511 from any land-line or cellular phone to access valuable information about travel conditions anytime, or log on to www.TN511.com. TDOT is also on Twitter. For up to date traffic information for the Memphis area follow Memphis511 on Twitter or follow TN511 for statewide updates.