Officials still unsure what caused I-40 bridge fracture
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (TB&P) — Why did a primary support beam on the Interstate 40 bridge that connects West Memphis to Memphis fracture and led to a near-collapse of the busiest freight bridge in the United States? It’s a mystery that officials in Arkansas and Tennessee still don’t have answers to even after repair work on the bridge was completed and east and westbound lanes reopened this week.
Arkansas Department of Transportation Public Information Officer Dave Parker tells Talk Business & Politics the damaged beam that led to the emergency and immediate closure of the bridge on May 11 has been sent off for forensic analysis. Parker said officials are not sure when the analysis will be completed.
Sensors are being used to monitor the bridge in the wake of the repairs.
The flow of traffic has resumed on the bridge, but it’s too early to know if the same number of vehicles – about 41,000 per day – are still using the bridge, Parker said. The bridge is scheduled for a fall inspection and will move forward as planned, Parker said even though the bridge has been inspected numerous times in recent weeks.
Read the full story on the Talk Business & Politics website.
