LITTLE ROCK (5-17) – The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has selected Kiewit Corporation to perform the repairs to the Interstate 40 Mississippi River Bridge, according to Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) agency officials.

Kiewit Corporation of Omaha, Nebraska, will begin discussing Phases I and II of the repair process this week. While the I-40 Mississippi River Bridge remains closed, traffic continues to use the Interstate 55 corridor.

“We have requested that the Tennessee DOT perform a drone review of the I-55 Bridge over the Mississippi River to bring confidence to the public that the previous inspection was performed correctly and that it is currently in good condition,” ARDOT Director Lorie Tudor said in today’s press conference.

TDOT officials stated that the drone review will occur tomorrow or Wednesday, at the latest.  

“We understand that in order to regain the public’s trust and confidence, we need to be transparent and accountable and we are committed to doing so,” Tudor emphasized. “We will correct this problem and become better for it.”

A webpage dedicated to this closure of the I-40 Mississippi River Bridge is available. You can also stay current on this issue by following @myARDOT on Twitter or using the hashtag #40MSRiverBridge. Find additional information at IDriveArkansas.com or ARDOT.gov.