Memphis motorists, brace yourselves for a bit of construction-induced navigation coming to the S.R. 14 and I-55 interchange. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) confirmed that starting the week of July 27, you'll need to navigate around ramp closures and traffic shifts, which are part of a bridge replacement project in southwest Memphis. This is just the opening act of a traffic reshuffling that's positioned to unroll over the next several months.
According to TDOT's announcement, the first major set piece will debut on Thursday, July 31, when two significant loop ramps will kiss the open road goodbye: the northbound S.R. 14 to westbound I-55 ramp, followed closely by the southbound S.R. 14 to eastbound I-55 ramp. As the curtain falls on these ramps for the duration of the construction, drivers will have to follow the yellow brick road of detour signs set to guide them around the closures.
If you cruise down S.R. 14, be prepared for a squeeze to two lanes in each direction within the project area. Similarly, I-55 won't be spared from the traffic tango, with shifts promised in both directions, although it's assured that two lanes will persist open for northbound and southbound traffic. Planned as part of the performance, overnight closures of one lane on I-55 are also anticipated as the construction ensemble proceeds.
Later dates will pull back the curtain on the second act, which includes pulling the plug on full weekend pathways on I-55 and S.R. 14, alongside a chorus of additional ramp closures and detours. TDOT commits to providing the roadmap for these disruptions ahead of time, arming commuters with specific dates and detour maps so they're not caught off-guard. The digital audience can access the latest updates on construction activity by keeping an eye on the live-streaming SmartWay traffic cameras on desktop or mobile devices at TN SmartWay Traffic, or by dialing 511 for information. Social media users should follow TDOT's cue on Twitter for statewide travel updates at @myTDOT, or for West Tennessee traffic at @NicLawrenceTDOT.
Finally, TDOT's refrain for drivers remains an old yet crucial tune: "Know Before You Go!" They remind those behind the wheel to check travel conditions before leaving, and to keep their eyes on the road instead of on phones, insisting drivers should never tweet, text, or talk on a cell phone while driving. Safe travels to all navigating this next stretch of Memphis's highway harmonics.
