Memphis-Arkansas Bridge

I would be hesitant to climb all over the bridge. The bridges on the Mississippi are monitored.

I noticed those too, and several of them weren't locked. I didn't dare open any of them, though, as I didn't know who might be watching. As it was, a Memphis cop did stop by as I was walking back on the eastern side to ask if I was okay. He said they get jumpers. What really excited me was the fact that the beams are large enough one can climb inside them! I hadn't a harness with me at the time or I might've gone up and gotten some really interesting pictures of the framework and the roadway.

This bridge has a pedestrian sidewalk along its western side. If you walk it for a few minutes you will see a covering that you can pull off, giving you access to a ladder leading down to the pylons holding up the bridge. You can walk the pylon (which is very wide and has safety rails) under the traffic to the eastern side of the bridge and get a great view of the river. A little scary to hear the traffic overhead, but still fun.

I moved away from Memphis in 1983. I was wondering if there are still pygmy goats living under the bridge?

The Hernando-DeSoto bridge shifted when supports were being driven around the pilings for retrofitting earthquake equipment.This ground is continually shifting due to the instability from the New Madrid Fault line.

This bridge may be old but it is sound!

The new Hernando DeSoo Memphis bridge carring Interstate 40 Trafic was just shut down for over nine hours on 8-27-07 because A pier on the Arkansas approach sank nearly 4 inches during construction.

I feel Newer is not Always better. They do not build bridges with pride like in the eaerly 1900's and thus they canot withstand any lane additions . You know as well contractors get bonues for coming under budget or faster buildg of the structure. So the job is just minimum. This bridge will still be standing probably 33 yaers from now if it is maintaned and will be nearly 100 years old.

This bridge is in need of replacing. It's old and very narrow especially for Interstate 55 Traffic. Its time to replace for a much newer bridge.

How long it took to build, this bridge?

How many lives were lost? While building this bridge?

How deep is the mississippi river?

How much it cost, to maintain the maintenance?