The Holmes Road bridge, east of Reynolds Road, has been closed indefinitely as of Tuesday, due to significant structural concerns discovered during a recent inspection. A statement obtained by the Town of Collierville detailed that following consultation with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), the Town has taken measures to protect public safety by preventing any traffic from crossing the compromised infrastructure.
A full repair or replacement of the bridge is projected to take between two and three years, encompassing the stages of engineering design, environmental permitting, and securing funds. Town Engineer Dale Perryman conveyed in a statement the urgency with which they are addressing the situation, "We know this closure will impact many residents, and we’re committed to moving as quickly as possible," and hinted at exploring temporary solutions to mitigate the disruption, according to the Town of Collierville.
The closure became necessary following an inspection conducted as part of TDOT’s biennial statewide bridge safety program. This latest assessment revealed that structural deterioration had progressed more rapidly than previously anticipated, prompting TDOT to issue a closure notice on April 25. In response, town officials chose to shut down the bridge ahead of the 14-day deadline, taking a precautionary stance in light of the identified risk.
Going forward, while a temporary solution may permit limited use of the bridge sooner, the Town is currently in the initial phase of evaluating options for repair. According to the Town's news post, no final plan or timeline has been confirmed at this time, but updates will be provided as official information becomes available.
For those affected by the closure, a detour has been established to redirect traffic along Fleming Road to Shelby Drive and then to Reynolds Road. Drivers are advised to take note of the detour signs and to allocate extra time for travel or to seek alternative routes to their destinations.
