Memphis drivers may finally see crews on the James Road bridge this summer, more than two years after a big rig slammed into the overpass in April 2024 and left the span badly damaged. City officials say construction is scheduled to begin in July and, weather permitting, wrap up in October 2026.
City Council documents show the city accepted a $325,000 insurance payment to fund repairs to the eastbound James Road bridge, listed as project PW90016. According to the City of Memphis, the money came as an insurance payout from L & T Services through Amerisure Mutual Insurance.
State inspectors flagged the span after photos of the April 2024 crash showed missing concrete and exposed wiring. TDOT labeled the bridge's superstructure in "Critical Condition" and imposed a weight limit while a lane was closed for safety. As reported by Action News 5, repair work has been pushed back repeatedly and was once slated for the first quarter of 2025, only to never get started.
Contractor Picked, Then Left Waiting
City records and news reports show Chris-Hill Construction was selected from three bids in October 2025 to handle the repair work. Yet as of April, “repair crews were waiting for an order to proceed.” Action News 5 notes that city leaders offered no public explanation for the holdup, even after the insurer’s settlement and follow-up design work wrapped in late 2024.
What Drivers Should Expect
Once crews mobilize in July, drivers can expect lane shifts and short closures on or under the bridge while damaged beams are replaced and the deck is patched. The region’s planning agency keeps the James Road work listed among ongoing capital priorities. For a broader look at how it fits into the bigger picture, see the Memphis MPO capital program.
Legal And Budget Notes
The Council packet approving the insurance payout labels the bridge work as project PW90016 and records the $325,000 payment from L & T Services, LLC, through Amerisure Mutual Insurance. According to the City of Memphis, the appropriation covered early design and repair planning in late 2024.
For now, the July-to-October schedule finally gives residents a concrete end date after years of uncertainty. Neighbors and commuters are likely to watch closely to see if the city sticks to the plan, since officials have not provided a more detailed public timeline beyond that construction window.
