Highway See Releases Podcast on the Repair of the I-40 Bridge: Crisis on the Memphis Bridge

The podcast series Highway See has released a Special Episode sharing the fascinating tale of the repair on the I-40 Hernando de Soto Bridge crossing the Mississippi River.  This Special Episode of Highway See reveals behind-the-scenes drama of the repair to the I-40 Bridge connecting Arkansas to Memphis, Tennessee.

On May 11, 2021, a routine inspection of the Hernando de Soto Bridge, spanning the Mississippi River, revealed a critical fracture in an integral part of the bridge’s construction. All traffic was brought to an immediately halt on Interstate I-40 and the Mississippi River below. Both are crucial arteries for national commerce.

Key leaders of the I-40 bridge repair share the dramatic initial discovery of the critical fracture, to detecting the cause, to completing the final repair leaving it better than before.

“It is truly amazing how resilient the Hernando de Soto Bridge is and that it withstood the significant fracture and still carried traffic” said Ted Kniazewycz, TDOT Director of Structures.  “Following 83 days of round-the-clock work, the bridge is not only as good as it was, but really better than it was.”

The Special Episode Crisis on the Memphis Bridge features:

• Clay Bright, Former Commissioner of Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT)
• Ted Kniazewycz, Director, Structures Division at TDOT
• Chris Frieberg, Vice President and Area Manager of Kiewet Infrastructure South
• Susie Alcorn, Highway See creator and executive producer, Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance

The Hernando de Soto Bridge is jointly owned by TDOT and Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT).  In their joint ownership, ARDOT has bridge inspection responsibility and TDOT maintains and repairs the bridge.  It was during a routine inspection by ARDOT that the critical finding was discovered.

“We are very proud of and owe gratitude to the department officials, consultants and contractors for their work to make the bridge better today than when it was built,” said Paul Degges, Deputy Commissioner and Chief Engineer at TDOT.  “Along with ARDOT, we are most thankful that no motorists and no workers were hurt.”

“Highway See illustrates how crucial roads and bridges are to our economy and collective mobility,” said Alcorn. ” Crisis on the Memphis Bridge unveils the vital role this massive two-mile long bridge plays in our national economy.”

Highway See podcast series slogan is “We hope you’ll see the highway when you’re on the road.”

Anyone can follow or subscribe to the Highway See podcast without cost through Apple or Google podcasts, Spotify or their podcast platform of choice. Listen anytime at www.HighwaySee.com.

Media resources web page is www.HighwaySee.com/newsroom.

This release is available as a PDF & Word document along with other resources in the newsroom.
Special Episode transcript here.
Show graphics here.

For more information on the podcast, please contact:
Susie Alcorn
Erin-Leigh Hennessy
615.205.2366
podcast@HighwaySee.com

For all Bridge repair inquiries, please contact:
Beth Emmons at Tennessee Department of Transportation
615.741.7736
Beth.Emmons@tn.gov

About Highway See
The Highway See podcast exists to share the stories and history of our roads and bridges.  Across multiple episodes, the Highway See podcast explores from prehistory to wagon trails to the operation of our modern highway system with the communities and personalities involved across the state. Highway See is presented by Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance, narrated by Chris Hill of HumblePod, and the executive producer and creator is Susie Alcorn.

To learn more about Highway See visit: https://www.HighwaySee.com/