WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — Arkansans sweating the full closure of the I-55 bridge into Memphis might not need to worry yet.
TDOT confirmed that due to an outcry from businesses, residents, and elected officials, it is diving into a roughly year- long study to see how the I-55/Crump interchange reconstruction project impacts the community.
Until recently, TDOT planned to contract the project this winter.
Construction would have begun in spring.
TDOT planned to fully close the bridge for about nine months.
Ben Le at Hi Nails in West Memphis said a lot of his customers drive from Memphis.
His shop is not far from the I-55 bridge, linking Arkansas to Tennessee.
Customer Lynell McGruder-Thomas said the closure would make her husband’s commute tougher. He works in Memphis.
“About 20, 25 minutes. So, that would push him another 20 minutes, give or take, depending on where he has to work,” McGruder-Thomas said.
In a statement, TDOT Commissioner John Schroer said, “We want to take the opportunity to address those concerns before moving forward with construction.”
“Yes, I think they should’ve considered us before they made that major decision,” McGruder-Thomas said.
TDOT said the decision to do the study is based on input from stakeholders in public meetings.
The study will look at the pros and cons of a three-year-project with an approximately nine-month bridge closure as opposed to a six-year-effort with partial lane closures.
TDOT said part of the effort is holding more public meetings for feedback.
