Emergency Temporary Closure of the Interstate 40 Hernando DeSoto Bridge Over the Mississippi River Between Arkansas and Tennessee

Topics:  Interstate Highway System

Stephanie Pollack
Federal Highway Administration
16 July 2021

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 134 (Friday, July 16, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37784-37785]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15151]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

[Docket No. FHWA-2021-0007]


Emergency Temporary Closure of the Interstate 40 Hernando DeSoto 
Bridge Over the Mississippi River Between Arkansas and Tennessee

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), U.S. Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) and the 
Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) closed the I-40 Hernando 
DeSoto Bridge (I-40 Bridge) over the Mississippi River between Arkansas 
and Tennessee on May 11, 2021, for safety considerations when a 
mechanical fracture was discovered within the elements of a steel box 
beam. FHWA is providing notice that ARDOT and TDOT are continuing the 
temporary closure of the I-40 Bridge for an indefinite period of time. 
FHWA has approved a request by the Arkansas and the Tennessee Divisions 
of the FHWA for an emergency deletion of a segment of I-40 between the 
I-55 Split (Exit 279B) in West Memphis, Arkansas, and the I-240 
Interchange (Exit 1E) in Memphis, Tennessee, from the National Network 
in accordance with applicable regulations due to the safety 
considerations discussed in this notice. FHWA is requesting comments 
from the public on the alternate routes selected by TDOT and ARDOT due 
to the closure.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 16, 2021.

ADDRESSES: To ensure that you do not duplicate your docket submissions, 
please submit them by only one of the following means:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 
20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, West Building Ground Floor, Room 
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9:00 a.m. 
and 5:00 p.m. ET, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251
    Instructions: You must include the agency name and docket number 
[FHWA-2021-0007] at the beginning of your comments. All comments 
received will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, 
including any personal information provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Berg, Truck Size and Weight Team, 
Office of Operations, (202) 740-4602, john.berg@dot.gov, or William 
Winne, Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366-0791, 
william.winne@dot.gov, Federal Highway Administration, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590; Vivien N. Hoang, FHWA Division 
Administrator, Arkansas Division, (501) 324-6436, vivien.hoang@dot.gov, 
or Pamela Kordenbrock, FHWA Division Administrator, Tennessee Division, 
(615) 781-5770, pamela.kordenbrock@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access and Filing

    This document and all comments received may be viewed online 
through the Federal eRulemaking portal at http://www.regulations.gov. 
The website is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. An 
electronic copy of this document may also be downloaded by accessing 
the Office of the Federal Register's website at www.federalregister.gov 
and the Government Publishing Office's website at www.govinfo.gov.

Background

    The ARDOT and TDOT closed the I-40 Bridge over the Mississippi 
River between Arkansas and Tennessee on May 11, 2021, for safety 
considerations. During a routine inspection of the I-40 Bridge by 
ARDOT, a mechanical fracture was discovered within the elements of a 
steel box beam. Local law enforcement agencies were immediately 
notified to shut down the bridge to all traffic. FHWA is providing 
notice that ARDOT and TDOT are continuing the temporary closure of the 
I-40 Bridge for an indefinite period of time.
    FHWA is responsible for enforcing the Federal regulations 
applicable to the National Network of highways that can safely and 
efficiently accommodate the large vehicles authorized by provisions of 
the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982, Public Law 97-424 as 
amended, designated in accordance with 23 CFR part 658 (Truck Size and 
Weight, Route Designations--Length, Width and Weight Limitations) and 
listed in Appendix A to Part 658. Under 23 CFR 658.11 (Additions, 
deletions, exceptions, and restrictions), FHWA may approve deletions 
of, or use restrictions on, the Interstate system or other National 
Network route based upon specified justification criteria in 23 CFR 
658.11(d)(2). FHWA is authorized to delete any route from the National 
Network on an emergency basis based on safety considerations pursuant 
to section 658.11(e), which also requires publishing this notice in the 
Federal Register for comment.
    The closure of the I-40 Bridge has affected traffic throughout 
western Tennessee, the Memphis metropolitan area, and eastern Arkansas. 
The I-40 Bridge and the I-55 Memphis-Arkansas Bridge (I-55 Bridge) are 
the only two Mississippi River crossings in the Memphis area. The 
additional traffic on I-55 due to the I-40 Bridge closure has increased 
delays in crossing the river.

[[Page 37785]]

Based on traffic volume data provided by ARDOT and TDOT, the closed I-
40 Bridge carried an Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) count of over 
40,000 vehicles, and trucks comprised 30 percent of that volume. The I-
55 Bridge had an AADT count of over 40,000 vehicles, with 35 percent of 
the volume comprised of trucks. The TDOT's 2018 Statewide Multimodal 
Freight Plan \1\ identified the I-55 river crossing as one of the top 
freight bottlenecks, based on the route meeting the condition that the 
segment had a level of service of F with a truck volume of greater than 
5,000 trucks per day, and truck travel speeds averaging less than 45 
mph.
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    \1\ Tennessee Statewide Multimodal Freight Plan is available at 
www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tdot/freight-and-logistics/TDOT_FreightPlan_AMENDED_04022019.pdf.
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    Arkansas and Tennessee State transportation officials have 
implemented official detours via the Interstate network. Traffic on I-
40 eastbound from West Memphis, Arkansas, into Memphis, Tennessee, is 
being rerouted to I-55 south to cross the I-55 Bridge. Motorists may 
then use I-240 to connect to I-40 eastbound in Tennessee. Traffic on I-
40 westbound from Memphis, Tennessee, into West Memphis, Arkansas, is 
detoured to I-240, where traffic may connect to I-55 northbound to 
cross the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge and merge back into I-40 westbound.
    Some ramps in the area are also closed. The TDOT closed the ramps 
accessing I-40 westbound from State Route 3 (SR 3)/Danny Thomas 
Boulevard southbound and northbound, Riverside Drive, Front Street, 
Madison Avenue, and I-240 northbound. In addition, I-40 westbound is 
closed to traffic at the split with I-240 southbound and the ramps to 
SR 3/Danny Thomas Boulevard southbound, Mound City Road and Martin 
Luther King Jr. Drive. The ARDOT closed the ramps accessing I-40 
eastbound from Mound City Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. In 
addition, I-40 eastbound is closed at the split with I-55 southbound 
and there is a lane closure in the area. The City of Memphis retimed 
the traffic signals to accommodate new traffic patterns and distributed 
maps through media on how to travel in and around downtown Memphis. In 
addition, TDOT is addressing the capacity of the I-55 and Crump 
Interchange by performing signing and striping changes to improve 
operations for both northbound and southbound traffic near the I-55 
bridge. These improvements include ramp closures, enhanced striping to 
address friction points, and signage restricting movements that impact 
operations.
    The TDOT and ARDOT have coordinated plans with local governments on 
both sides of the Mississippi River. The TDOT and ARDOT met with local 
transportation officials and police agencies immediately after the 
closure to prepare for the anticipated overflow of traffic from the 
official detour route on the Interstates to the local network. Such 
coordination is continuing with the City of Memphis counterparts in 
traffic, operations, and emergency management to address any issues on 
diverted traffic, incidents, detours, and delay notices as changes are 
being made to improve travel in the area. Police agencies in the region 
are also assisting.
    The TDOT SmartWay Traffic Management System provides access to 
closed circuit television and dynamic message signs (DMS) on both sides 
of the Mississippi River to allow real-time monitoring of traffic and 
incidents. Daily updates are being posted on TDOT's website for the I-
40 closure. Traffic conditions on the I-55 Memphis-Arkansas Bridge can 
also be heard on TDOT's 511 system. The TDOT placed portable message 
signs on I-40 west of the Tennessee River and east of Jackson, 
Tennessee, advising of the bridge closure. Estimated travel time to E. 
H. Crump Boulevard is displayed on the I-40 DMS west of the I-40/I-55 
Interchange in West Memphis, Arkansas. Navigation service providers 
were advised of the bridge closure so that digital maps correctly 
reflect the current situation.
    The ARDOT is also providing closed circuit television, portable 
changeable message signs (CMS), and static DMS on the Arkansas side of 
the river. Portable CMS were placed along I-55, as far as the Missouri 
State line and along I-40. DMS were posted as far away as Fort Smith, 
Texarkana, and Little Rock to advise intrastate traffic of the bridge 
closure. The ARDOT public facing website, iDriveArkansas, has incident 
and advisory information concerning the closure. Live streaming video 
is available to the public and the ARDOT Traffic Management Center, 
which it actively monitors and provides assistance to first responders. 
Portable camera trailers and temporary cameras were deployed nearby 
and, on the structure, to assist with bridge monitoring. Traffic signal 
timing was reviewed for Marion and West Memphis.
    To assist in facilitating Interstate commerce, ARDOT and TDOT are 
coordinating with local trucking associations to minimize freight 
traffic disruptions. The TDOT is working with State departments of 
transportation in Mississippi and Missouri along with the trucking 
industry to identify possible detour routes for long haul commercial 
motor vehicle (CMV) drivers to allow them to divert to other 
Mississippi River crossings and avoid the I-55 Bridge. By partnering 
with a smart mobility CMV fleet service, TDOT has arranged for detour 
information to be shared directly with CMV drivers through in-cab 
devices.
    Overweight permitted loads in excess of 180,000 lbs. are being 
routed around the I-55 Bridge on alternate routes. Eastbound loads in 
excess of 12'6'' in width are being rerouted as well. CMVs of the 
dimensions and configurations described in 23 CFR 658.13 and 658.15 
which serve the affected area must use the following alternate routes:
    For vehicles with a height of 13'7'' to 15'9'': Eastbound I-55 
travel must follow E. H. Crump Boulevard to Florida Street to South 
Parkway to I-240. Vehicles headed westbound must take I-240 Exit 28 to 
South Parkway to Florida Street to E. H. Crump Boulevard to I-55.
    For vehicles with a height of 15'10'' and up: Eastbound I-55 travel 
must follow E. H. Crump Boulevard to Florida Street to Kansas Street/
New Horn Lake Road to US-61. Vehicles headed westbound must take SR-175 
to US-61 to New Horn Lake Road/Kansas Street to Florida Street to E. H. 
Crump Boulevard to I-55.
    Note: Any load over 15'6'' will have a survey that must be reviewed 
for accuracy. Vehicles servicing the businesses bordering the impacted 
area are still able to do so by also using the alternate routes 
described above and local signage to circulate around the restricted 
area.
    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 127 and 315; 49 U.S.C. 31111, 31112, and 
31114; 23 CFR part 658.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 12, 2021.
Stephanie Pollack,
Acting Administrator, Federal Highway Administration.
[FR Doc. 2021-15151 Filed 7-15-21; 8:45 am]
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