Interstate 40 Hernando DeSoto Bridge

Shelby County

Timeline

  • July 31, 2021: I-40 eastbound lanes reopened
  • August 2, 2021: I-40 westbound lanes reopened

Contract Award: 05/17/2021
Contractor: Kiewit Infrastructure Group*
Cost: Unknown**
Estimated Completion Date: Unknown**

Work is expected to begin as early as Wednesday, May 19, 2021.

Repairs to the I-40 Hernando DeSoto Bridge will occur under an emergency repair contract. The work has been divided into two phases as outlined below.

  • Phase 1: Installation of Steel Plates
    • Steel plates will be installed on each side of the fractured bridge piece. This will strengthen the damaged steel plates, providing the stability needed for crews to install equipment for the permanent replacement of the damaged components and to continue bridge inspections.
    • Design of the plates has been completed, and plans have been provided to Stupp Bridge Company in Bowling Green, Kentucky, for fabrication. Fabrication of the roughly 18,000 pounds of steel is expected to be complete by Wednesday, May 19. TDOT forces will pick up and transport the fabricated plates to the bridge site.
  • Phase 2: Repairing the Damaged Steel
    • The contractor will add additional steel plating adjacent to the damaged area, bypassing the fractured components, removing a smaller section of the fractured piece, and leaving the bulk of the box section in place. This design will require less fabrication time and offers the advantage of getting the bridge open to traffic two to three weeks sooner than replacing the damaged steel box assembly in its entirety. 

*Contractor selection was based on qualification, experience, and availability of personnel and equipment.

**Design plans must be finalized prior to determining cost and timeline for the project to allow for pricing of materials, manufacturing of materials, and anticipated workload.

Traffic Control

Due to the nature of the work and for the safety of the motoring public, both phases will need to be completed before the bridge can be reopened to interstate traffic.

Detours are in place in Tennessee and Arkansas. Detour maps can be viewed and downloaded here.

I-40 Hernando DeSoto Bridge Detour Map – Interstate Routes (PDF)
I-40 Hernando DeSoto Bridge Detour Map – Local Routes (PDF)

The timeline to complete the repairs and reopen the bridge has not yet been determined.

Video: Animated rendering of the planned repairs for the I-40 Hernando DeSoto Bridge