Governor and TDOT Commissioner Celebrate Completion of I-40/240 Interchange Project

Project Finished Six Months Ahead of Schedule

MEMPHIS – Governor Bill Haslam and Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner John Schroer joined state and local officials in Memphis today to celebrate the completion of the Interstate 40/240 Interchange Project, which was finished six months ahead of schedule. When the project began in 2013, it was the largest contract in TDOT history at $109 million.

The project included the construction of a new four-level interchange, the first of its kind in West Tennessee. Sections of I-40 and I-240 were widened, and a new 13-lane Wolf River Bridge was constructed. Additional work was also done to widen Sam Cooper Boulevard, and new overhead Dynamic Message Signs were installed in the area.

“Large and complicated projects like this make clear the importance of investing in our infrastructure,” Haslam said. “From shorter commute times to higher efficiency for freight, Memphis and the entire region will benefit from these much needed improvements.”  

The I-40/240 Interchange Project wasn’t scheduled to be complete until July 31, 2017; however, prime contractor Dement Construction finished all major items of work in December 2016. The Wolf River Bridge was completed 100 days ahead of schedule, opening in time for the holiday travel season. 

“This project has been difficult at times for the thousands of people who travel through this interchange each day,” Commissioner Schroer added. “We greatly appreciate their patience, and we are pleased to deliver this project several months ahead of its contract completion date.”

The project required 180 steel beams, nine million pounds of superstructure steel, and more than 46,000 bolts. The Wolf River Bridge was constructed using 161 steel beams and nearly 10,000 cubic yards of concrete.

Two additional projects on sections of I-240 are on TDOT’s list of projects funded by the recently enacted IMPROVE Act, which will provide a total of 962 road and bridge projects in all 95 counties.

In 2016, the Tennessee Department of Transportation lost three workers in the line of duty. All three were struck by passing motorists. Those tragedies bring the total number of TDOT lives lost to 112. We don’t want to lose another member of our TDOT family. We’re asking you to WORK WITH US. Click on the WORK WITH US logo to learn more.

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