TDOT Announces Reconstruction Plans for I-55 at Crump Blvd. Interchange

MEMPHIS, TN – The Tennessee Department of Transportation announced today plans for the reconstruction of the Interstate 55 interchange at E.H. Crump Boulevard in Memphis. Construction is currently planned to begin in the spring of 2016, and will require the full closure of the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge for a period of nine months. The full closure of the bridge is not expected to occur until the spring of 2017.

“Alternate Z-1”, which is the design selected by TDOT after numerous public meetings, will provide free-flow movement on I-55 over Austin Avenue and the Crump Boulevard ramp. This design includes large structural elements that are very complex in nature, and create unique challenges during the construction phase.

“There is simply not enough space to rebuild this interchange, preserve the French Fort neighborhood, and maintain traffic across the I-55 bridge,” said TDOT Commissioner John Schroer. “As we prepare for a full closure of this section of interstate, TDOT will do everything possible to minimize the impacts to residents, business owners, commuters, and emergency services.”

TDOT has worked closely with the City of Memphis, the French Fort neighborhood, Shelby County, the City of West Memphis, AR, the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, and the Federal Highway Administration during the development of the construction plans for the interchange.                                                                                                                                                          

Two public information meetings will also be held next week to discuss the planned reconstruction of the I-55/Crump Boulevard interchange. The meetings will provide the community with an opportunity to discuss potential construction impacts.

Both meetings will feature two formal presentations, followed by question and comment periods. The schedule is as follows:

Monday, June 1, 2015

West Memphis Civic Center

228 Polk Avenue

West Memphis, AR

3:30 – 7:30 p.m. (Formal presentations at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.)

Thursday, June 4, 2015

MATA Central Station

545 S. Main Street

Memphis, TN

3:30 – 7:30 p.m. (Formal presentations at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.)

TDOT has already identified a number of strategies to minimize construction impacts on neighborhoods, businesses, and the traveling public. These include regular construction schedule updates, new noise walls for the French Fort neighborhood, maintaining local access, wayfinding signage, and an emergency preparedness plan.

The public is also invited to take a brief survey regarding construction of the project: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QRL8K6S

The I-55/Crump Boulevard interchange modification project is currently planned to be let to contract in December of 2015, with the start of construction planned for the spring of 2016.