This $800 million project will not be in Mississippi, but will likely affect thousands of Mississippi drivers

Although the project is not in Mississippi, when completed, it will likely affect hundreds of thousands of Mississippi drivers who travel north on I-55 every year.

Officials in Tennessee have announced plans to replace the I-55 bridge over the Mississippi River in Memphis — a route that connects much of Mississippi to Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois. The project is slated to cost nearly $800 million.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee recently announced a historic plan to collaborate with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the State of Arkansas in what is being called the most largest transportation investment in Tennessee’s history.

The current I-55 Bridge, in service for 75 years, will be replaced with a larger structure designed to meet modern seismic standards due to its location on the New Madrid fault line. By 2050, the new bridge is expected to accommodate 64,000 vehicles daily, up from the current 48,000, reducing congestion and improving traffic flow in one of the nation’s busiest freight corridors.

The U.S. Department of Transportation informed Congress of a landmark federal investment of nearly $400 million, covering half the replacement cost of the I-55 Bridge, also known as America’s River Crossing. This significant investment aims to enhance regional and national connectivity and safety.

“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 enhance safety, efficiency, and economic vitality by facilitating smoother freight movement and improving regional accessibility.”

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) have each committed up to $250 million, showcasing a collaborative effort to address regional infrastructure needs.