A transportation official says repairs to the Interstate 40 bridge linking Arkansas and Tennessee could take months after a crack was found in the spanMEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Repairs to the Interstate 40 bridge linking Arkansas and Tennessee could take months after a crack was found in the span, forcing thousands of trucks and cars to detour and shutting down shipping on a section of the Mississippi River, a transportation official said Wednesday. Both states' transportation agencies said they would make sure the 48-year-old, 1.8-mile (2.9-kilometer) bridge is safe before reopening. Traffic was being rerouted to Interstate 55 and the 71-year-old Memphis & Arkansas Bridge, about 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) south. The closure is creating traffic congestion in Memphis and in neighboring West Memphis, Arkansas. Arkansas transportation officials said the crack did not appear in the last inspection of the bridge, which occurred in September 2020.

Source: ABC News May 12, 2021 15:22 UTC