Closure of I-40 Memphis span draws intense scrutiny to deteriorating bridges across the nation (7/9/21)

The Trucker ^ | July 9, 2021 | Hannah Butler

[Wallace T.]

You have to wonder about the infrastructure in the oldest cities in the country: Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. Arkansas and Tennessee have never been governed by the leftist that have plagued the Northeast or Middle Atlantic states. At worst, you had grifters like Bill Clinton in high office. There is no doubt old school graft, but I don't think highway funds are sent off for mass transit or social welfare programs in the two states.

[oldvirginian]

“There is no doubt old school graft, but I don’t think highway funds are sent off for mass transit or social welfare programs in the two states.”

You never saw the condition of I-40 through Arkansas didja?
I used to stop before entering Arkansas and take my TV, microwave and anything else that wasn’t bolted down and strap it into my bunk. The potholes and crappy repaving (more like cold patch shoveled in) in AR would bounce anything not bolted down into the floor. It was like driving on a rumble strip all way across the state.
Bill Clinton spent every dollar of highway money either buying votes or lining his own pockets.
He did build a nice expensive highway to Bentonville though..but that is where Wal-Mart is headquartered and Tyson Foods has a huge facility there.

Clinton was followed by democrat Jim Guy Tucker who would later be convicted on charges concerning the Whitewater affair. Lt Governor Mike Huckabee assumed the governors office when Tucker resigned under threat of impeachment.
Huckabee ended up having to raise takes by $505 million to spend on roads and schools.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

From what I understand, the bridge collapsed because certain gusset plates on the superstructure were about half the thickness they were supposed to be. I suppose it’s good that the original bridge lasted four decades or so.

[Bull Snipe]

The alternate route (1-55) bridge was built in 1949 and ends at a stop light in down town Memphis. The best thing to do is take the time to do a thorough repair of the I-40 bridge, just not a band aid repair to get traffic moving.