Interstate 40 Resurfacing & Rehabilitation

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) plans to reconstruct the roadway surface on Interstate 40 in Shelby County. The proposed project, which stretches from the Levee Road overpass to the interchange with Hollywood Street, will replace the existing concrete pavement with an asphalt surface. The current concrete pavement has deteriorated due to Alkali Silica Reactivity (ASR), a chemical reaction in the concrete that causes distress, faulting, and pop-outs. No other modifications to this section of I-40 are planned currently. Project goals are to provide a high-quality project that minimizes inconveniences to the public during construction, while maximizing the safety of workers and the traveling public.

Current Status: This project is currently an active procurement project. Design-Build team is expected to under contract Summer 2025.

Estimated construction start: This project is scheduled in TDOT’s 10-Year Project Plan to begin construction in Fiscal Year 2026.

Estimated completion: Fall 2027

Funding Type: The funding source for the Project is the Transportation Modernization Act (TMA) dollars.

Environment: TDOT has obtained a C-List Categorical Exclusion for the project.

Utilities/ROW: No utilities and ROW impacts are expected for this project.

History and Background:

In Memphis, I-40's history is marked by a landmark Supreme Court case which ultimately lead to the highway being rerouted around the city. On June 28, 1982, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials approved an application by TDOT to redesignate the northern portion of I-240 as the remainder of I-40.

I-40 enters Tennessee from Arkansas in a direct east–west alignment via the six-lane Hernando de Soto Bridge, a tied-arch bridge which spans the Mississippi River. Entering the city of Memphis, the Interstate then intersects US 51 (Danny Thomas Boulevard) and turns north near Midtown at an interchange with the western terminus of I-240, a southern bypass route around the central city. Proceeding north, the highway crosses the Wolf River and reaches the eastern terminus of SR 300, a controlled-access connector to US 51. The planned rehabilitation section for I-40 begins in this area. The Interstate shifts due east, bypassing central Memphis to the north. Passing near the neighborhoods of Frayser and Raleigh, I-40 intersects a number of surface streets and crosses the Wolf River for a second time about five miles later. There has been significant commercial and industrial development in the northern part of Memphis over recent years. The I-40 Resurfacing and Rehabilitation from Levee Road overhead to Hollywood Street overhead will significantly improve the level of service for the motoring public, which this area boasts an AADT of 95,532.

Project Contacts

Nichole Lawrence
TDOT Region 4 Regional Communications Officer (Media)
Phone: 731.935.0318
Email: Nichole.Lawrence@tn.gov

Christian Canady, P.E.
TDOT Region 4 Alternative Delivery 
Phone: 901.237.0018
Email: christian.canady@tn.gov