The federal co-chairman of the Delta Regional Authority is asking Congress for a new four-lane bridge over the Mississippi south of Memphis that would connect I-55 in Mississippi to I-40 in Arkansas.


Pete Johnson of Clarksdale, Miss., proposed a route that would include a new four-lane bridge over the Mississippi River at Helena-West Helena, Ark, during a luncheon meeting on Capitol Hill.

Johnson told members of Congress and key congressional staffers that a four-lane connection from Interstate 55 in Batesville, Miss., to Interstate 40 in Brinkley, Ark., could further enhance the region's position as one of the nation's logistics and distribution hubs.

The DRA is a federal-state partnership that covers parts of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee.

"The Helena bridge is the only bridge over the Mississippi River between Memphis and Greenville, Miss.," Johnson said. "It's imperative that it be improved. The Batesville-to-Brinkley connector would, in essence, provide a far southern beltway for the Memphis metropolitan area. This likely would produce economic benefits for Memphis since it would reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality there. I can assure you that air quality and traffic concerns play roles in economic development decisions."

Johnson said the Batesville-to-Brinkley connector also would provide an alternative route for the nation's heavy east-west traffic flow should a major earthquake occur along the New Madrid Fault, closing the Interstate 40 and Interstate 55 bridges at Memphis. Such an earthquake could create severe economic problems for the country, since Memphis has become one of the world's top logistics and distribution centers.

"A four-lane bridge south of the most likely spots for a devastating earthquake would give the nation a needed safety valve," Johnson said. "We have to keep those trucks moving from east to west and from west to east to supply our citizens with the goods they need for daily life."

Memphis is the nation's third largest rail center, it has the fourth largest inland port and it's home to one of three Northwest Airline hubs. Memphis also is the world headquarters of FedEx. Memphis serves more major metropolitan markets overnight by truck than any city in the country. If a product is shipped from Memphis, it can reach 45 states, Canada or Mexico by ground in two days or less.

"Memphis also has more experienced logistics workers per capita than any other city in the country," Johnson said. "We can build on those strengths and improve the economy of the entire region by making additional transportation investments. New routes and new river crossings are needed to relieve congestion at points such as the Interstate 40-55 interchange in West Memphis, Ark. For interstate truck traffic that doesn't require a stop in Memphis, the Batesville-to-Brinkley connector would provide an alternative, thus reducing congestion for those vehicles that do have to go through Memphis. It also would give companies with Memphis area operations the comfort of knowing that a nearby four-lane bridge exists just to the south of the most dangerous areas of the New Madrid zone."

More info: www.dra.gov