Travel disruptions are expected for those traversing the Hernando-DeSoto Bridge as the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) has announced plans to conduct routine inspections throughout June. Starting on June 2 and continuing through June 26, there will be alternating closures of single lanes on both eastbound and westbound sides of the bridge. According to Action News 5, the eastbound lanes will be closed from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the westbound lanes will be inaccessible from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
According to ARDOT, crews are expected to fully commence inspections on the westbound side before switching directions as needed. This scheduling might potentially stretch daily commutes for drivers trying to navigate between Memphis and Arkansas. The announcement comes on the heels of recent issues with the bridge, including large potholes and exposed steel rods that were captured on camera, forcing ARDOT to apply temporary patches. This report was provided by WREG, which noted that the repairs began early one Monday morning and continued throughout the week.
It's worth mentioning that the I-40 Hernando DeSoto Bridge, a key artery in the movement of people and goods over the Mississippi River, has had its share of structural concerns. In May 2021, a significant crack in a beam prompted a month-long complete shutdown. This history puts the importance of routine inspections and repair work into perspective, ensuring the safety and integrity of the ageing infrastructure, as detailed by FOX13 Memphis.
