MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Tennessee and Arkansas Departments of Transportation have secured nearly $400 million in funding for a new I-55 bridge over the Mississippi River.
Gov. Bill Lee said this is the single-largest transportation investment in Tennessee history.
Lee and Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Memphis) announced Friday, July 12, 2024, that the U.S. Department of Transportation announced $393,750,000 would be allocated toward half the cost of replacing the I-55 Bridge, also known as America's River Crossing. Lee said TDOT and ARDOT have each committed up to $250 million, with TDOT using a State General Fund allocation provided through the Transportation Modernization Act.
Cohen said TDOT and ARDOT submitted a joint application through the Bridge Investment Program (BIP) Large Bridge Projects Program. He said the Federal Highway Administration has said the project would move forward.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited Memphis in May 2021 when the Hernando DeSoto Bridge was out of commission and saw the issues that posed with only one available bridge over the river for the months it was out of commission. Cohen said Administrator Shailen Bhatt of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) visited during Memphis in May to see the need to replace the I-55 Bridge amid concerns it could be vulnerable to an earthquake and is out of date.
Lee’s office said by 2050, the new I-55 Bridge is projected to accommodate about 64,000 vehicles daily, more than the current 48,000 vehicles.
“This unprecedented investment in Memphis marks the single-largest transportation investment in Tennessee state history and will be transformative for our infrastructure,” said Gov. Bill Lee. “The new I-55 Bridge will not only enhance safety and efficiency, but also improve multimodal connectivity and strengthen our economic vitality by facilitating smoother freight movement and improving accessibility in our region.”
“As President Biden would say, ‘This is a big… deal!’ And it sure is: Probably the biggest investment made in Memphis by the federal government ever,” said Cohen in a news release. “It is important to America and not politically good for a red or a blue state. It’s the United States of America and that’s what this bridge is for. Transportation across America creates jobs and improves our economy – America’s River Crossing.”
"This historic project is four times larger than anything we have previously built. This partnership between states and the federal government underscores our bipartisan commitment to delivering innovative infrastructure solutions that support growth and economic prosperity," said Deputy Governor and Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Butch Eley. “
“This historic investment in Memphis will help further connect our community with the region and the world,” said Memphis Mayor Paul Young. “Memphis’ prominence as a logistics hub is made stronger by the investment in this key piece of infrastructure and we are honored by the grant.”
"Today’s announcement of $400 million in federal funding from the Biden Administration to complete America’s River Crossing is a monumental step forward," said Tennessee Senate Minority Leader Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis). "By replacing the 75-year-old I-55 bridge, this project will enhance safety, boost our economy, and improve mobility for 64,000 daily commuters. When state and federal governments work together, we can achieve remarkable outcomes for working families and small businesses in Tennessee and beyond."
