1-40 Bridge Reopens to Traffic

A bridge project that caused major detours for travelers the last three months has fully reopened to traffic.

The Interstate 40 Bridge that connects Arkansas and Tennessee between West Memphis and Memphis fully opened Monday, five days ahead of the originally announced date. The bridge had been closed in May after a crack had been found in one of the horizontal steel beams. 

Officials originally told the Associated Press that the bridge would reopen first with the eastbound lanes then by this Friday, the westbound lanes would open to traffic. The bridge ended up opening to eastbound traffic last Saturday and fully reopening on Monday. 

The cost of the project, estimated at $9.5 million, will be shared between the two states.