2082 RESOLUTION NO. 2082
A RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO THE PLANNED CLOSING OF
THE MEMPHIS-ARKANSAS BRIDGE.
WHEREAS, the Tennessee Department of Transportation has announced its plans to
redesign the I-55 Interchange at E.H. Crump Boulevard and South Riverside Drive in Shelby
County, Tennessee, and to completely close the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge to automobile traffic
for a period of nine months and to truck traffic for eighteen months beginning in early 2017; and
WHEREAS, there were numerous options available for the proposed project and the
original plan as announced by the Tennessee Department of Transportation did not involve the
planned closure of the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge as now contained in the amended and modified
plan; and
WHEREAS, the amended and modified plan as announced by the Tennessee Department
of Transportation did not provide for any meaningful notice or opportunity for comment from
governmental entities or other interested parties who would be adversely affected by the closure
of the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge; and
WHEREAS, at a June 1, 2015, informational meeting in West Memphis, the Tennessee
Department of Transportation representatives acknowledged that no information had been
gathered or studied regarding the economic impact of the planned closure of the Memphis-
Arkansas Bridge on any areas in Eastern Arkansas; and
WHEREAS, the Tennessee Department of Transportation has failed to adequately study
and consider the adverse economic impact the planned closure of the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge
will have on Eastern Arkansas and on interstate commerce; and
WHEREAS, access to available hospital and emergency medical services is crucial to the
health and safety of the citizens of Eastern Arkansas and due to the current lack of a hospital and
emergency medical services in Crittenden County, Arkansas, the planned closing of the
Memphis-Arkansas Bridge and increased congestion of the Hernando DeSoto Bridge will place
the health and safety of citizens of Eastern Arkansas at increased risk of not having access to
necessary hospital and emergency medical services in Memphis, Tennessee; and
WHEREAS, the combined daily traffic count of Interstate 40 and Interstate 55 may
exceed 100,000 vehicles per day which, during any closure of the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge,
would be required to be routed over the Hernando DeSoto Bridge resulting in increased
congestion, gridlock, and safety risks due to the heavy volume of traffic; and
WHEREAS, many residents in Eastern Arkansas work in Memphis and Shelby County,
Tennessee, and rely upon the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge for dependable access to employment;
and
WHEREAS, the decision of the Tennessee Department of Transportation to unilaterally
close the Memphis-Arkansas Bridge may be contrary to Federal Highway Administration
guidelines;
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS, ARKANSAS, THAT the City of West Memphis, Arkansas,
opposes the plans of the Tennessee Department of Transportation to completely close the
Memphis-Arkansas Bridge to automobile traffic for nine months and to truck traffic for eighteen
months.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governors of Arkansas and Tennessee and the
Arkansas Attorney General, the Tennessee Attorney General and representatives of the Arkansas
Highway and Transportation Department and the Tennessee Department of Transportation are
encouraged to meet and assess all alternative plans to the proposed project and their economic
and social impact upon all areas affected.
ADOPTED this 2nd day of July, 2015.
WILLIAM H. JOHNSON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
e hoc pc 3
PHILLIP ARA, CITY CLERK 0
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