Interstate 55 / Crump Boulevard Interchange

Shelby County

Interstate 55 (I-55) is one of the major north-south transportation corridors in the United States. The I-55 Interchange at E.H. Crump Boulevard and South Riverside Drive in Memphis, Shelby County, is utilized by high volumes of a combination of local commuter and through-traffic, including large volumes of commercial truck traffic. The existing interchange cannot handle the current and projected traffic volumes in the area. The purpose of the proposed project is to improve the I-55/Crump Boulevard interchange by replacing the existing cloverleaf design with a new configuration that reduces crashes, relieves congestion, and provides route continuity for I-55.

Current Status: Restrictions: Thursday, September 29, 2022. There is an 11’ width restriction north and southbound on I 55. Necessary detours will be posted.
UPDATED TRAFFIC PATTERN HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED
On Monday, June 12 at 6:01 am the below descibrs the new traffic patterns.
-          I-55 SB outside lane will be closed from the west end of the I-55 Bridge through the project site and the SB inside lane will cross-over at the east end of the I-55 Bridge and share the current I-55 NB cloverleaf ramp with I-55 NB
-          I-55 NB outside lane of cloverleaf ramp will be closed to allow for I-55 SB use
-          Crump Boulevard WB will be closed (local traffic only beyond South Third Street)***
*** Crump WB local traffic to Metal Museum Drive will be able to utilize the detour that goes down Crump WB ramp to Riverside Drive NB / crosses over Riverside Drive / goes up Riverside Drive SB ramp to I-55 NB and then can exit at Metal Museum Drive

-          Riverside Drive SB will remain closed at Carolina.
-          Riverside Drive NB will remain closed to Carolina.
-          Wisconsin will remain closed.
-          Channel 3 ramp to Riverside Drive SB will remain closed.Construction start: 2022

Estimated completion*: 2025

Funding Type: 90% Feferal Funds 10% State Funds

Traffic Impacts

Lane Closures and Traffic Shifts for I-55 and Crump Boulevard, October 19, 2022
I-55 and Crump Lane Closures Map

Lane Closures and Traffic Shifts for I-55 and Crump Boulevard, Sepember 23, 2022
  I-55 and Crump Lane Closures PHASE 2 MAIN MAP
  I-55 and Crump Lane Closures PHASE 2-ZOOMED 1 MAP
  I-55 and Crump Lane Closures PHASE 2 ZOOMED 2 MAP
I-55 and Crump Lane Closures June 6, 2022

History and Background

The improvements to the I-55/Crump Boulevard interchange will be accomplished by constructing new through travel lanes for mainline I-55 traffic, which will eliminate the requirement for interstate traffic to use single-lane, low-speed ramps in order to continue on I-55. A new multi-lane roundabout intersection will be constructed to replace the existing cloverleaf interchange and provide improved access to and from I-55 and existing local roadways.

Public Involvement and Engagement

Four public meetings/hearings have been held to discuss the I-55 at E.H. Crump Boulevard project as indicated below. The purpose of the meetings was to provide updates on the project, discuss potential construction impacts, and gather public input. A brief presentation was provided at each meeting, followed by Q&A with TDOT representatives.

Meeting	Date	Location
Public Hearing (Draft Environmental Impact Statement)	July 7, 2009	MATA Central Station
Public Information Meeting	June 15, 2010	MATA Central Station
Public Information Meeting	June 1, 2015	West Memphis Civic Center
Public Information Meeting	June 4, 2015	MATA Central Station

In addition to the public meetings, TDOT has held various meetings with public officials and local stakeholders to discuss the project and potential impacts to specific entities.

Project Imagery & Visuals

[Insert necessary maps or project imagery (e.g., concept designs, maps, photos, renderings, right of way maps, traffic shift/lane shift maps)]

Environment

If remains, artifacts, or other archaeological materials are uncovered during construction, all construction in the area of the find will cease, and the Tennessee Division of Archaeology and recognized Native American tribes will be contacted immediately.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will no longer pursue the previously proposed long-term (up to 9 months) full-closure of the Interstate 55 (I-55) bridge over the Mississippi River during the reconstruction of the I-55 interchange at E.H. Crump Boulevard. The proposed improvements to this interchange were studied pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), through the development of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), and the option for an up to 9-month full closure of the I-55 bridge during construction was being studied under a supplemental review to that EIS.

In January 2012, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved a Record of Decision (ROD), concluding the formal EIS development and identifying the Selected Alternative for the reconstruction of the I-55 interchange at E.H. Crump Boulevard. The Selected Alternative involves the replacement of the existing cloverleaf interchange with a new interchange configuration that will provide through lanes for mainline I-55 traffic, eliminating the need for interstate traffic to utilize single-lane, low-speed ramps in order to continue on mainline I-55. A new multi-lane roundabout interchange will be constructed to replace the existing cloverleaf interchange and provide improved access to and from I-55 and existing local roadways.

Following the issuance of the ROD, TDOT determined that a total closure of the I-55 bridge over the Mississippi River (Memphis-Arkansas Bridge) for up to nine months during construction may be necessary. On August 31, 2015, FHWA, in coordination with TDOT, published in the Federal Register a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare a Limited Scope Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (LSSEIS) for the I-55 interchange at E.H. Crump Boulevard Project. The decision to pursue the LSSEIS was based on the potential for significant impacts associated with the potential for a long-term full closure (up to 9 months) of the I-55 Bridge over the Mississippi River during construction. A full closure of the I-55 Bridge for up to 9 months was not previously assessed and disclosed in the approved 2012 ROD or in the subsequent 2015 NEPA Reevaluation.

However, with the removal of this option from consideration, TDOT has determined that there are no changes to the project or any new information or circumstances that should warrant the preparation of an LSSEIS. Therefore, TDOT will cease development of the LSSEIS and instead pursue the development of a NEPA Reevaluation.

The most recent construction plans indicate that the basic setting of the affected environment has not been altered, and the project area is essentially of the same character as previously studied with no substantial modifications in land use or new development. There have been no changes to the project that would alter the findings documented in the approved 2012 ROD.

Record of Decision (ROD) (PDF 395 KB)
Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) (PDF 14.5 MB)
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) (PDF 8.14 MB)

Key Project Milestones

Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) Approved	March 2009
Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) Approved	June 2011
Record of Decision (ROD) Approved	January 2012
NEPA Right-of-Way Reevaluation Approved	Summer 2020
NEPA Construction Reevaluation Approved	Forecasted for Winter 2021
Project Letting	March 25, 2022
Construction	Estimated Completion 1st quarter of 2025