Biden Harris Administration Invests Nearly $394 Million for the I 55 Bridge in Memphis, Tennessee and West Memphis, Arkansas

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes improvements to major bridge project in Tennessee and Arkansas

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MEMPHIS - Today, as part of the Biden-Harris Administration's Investing in America tour, Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt announced nearly $394 million for the Tennessee Department of Transportation for the America's River Crossing Project in Memphis, Tennessee and West Memphis, Arkansas to replace the 75-year-old Interstate 55 bridge over the Mississippi River. The project will enhance safety and improve operations in the corridor for both local and regional traffic in the tri-state area, and national freight connections by adding capacity, streamlining traffic flow, correcting geometric deficiencies, and maintaining connections to jobs and key transportation. The grant is part of an announcement of more than $5 billion in Large Bridge Project awards through the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) competitive Bridge Investment Program, part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda.

The grants will fund the reconstruction, repair, and restoration - using American-made materials - of 13 nationally significant bridges in 16 states that connect communities to jobs and resources, support the economy, and serve as critical corridors for freight travel. These projects will also address important safety issues and make the bridges more resilient to extreme weather, all while creating good-paying jobs.

"For too long, America let bridges fall into disrepair, which left people less safe, disrupted our supply chains, and cost people time and money - but now the Biden-Harris administration is changing that with the biggest investment in our bridges since the Eisenhower era," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "There are currently about 3,000 fewer bridges in poor condition than when our administration began, and today we are proud to announce funding to repair or replace 13 of America's largest and economically significant bridges."

"Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's Bridge Investment Program, we are reinvesting in our infrastructure and ensuring vital connections for Americans who need to get to a job, a doctor, or a class, said Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt. "This grant in Tennessee and Arkansas is helping to advance a critical bridge project that will improve safety, the overall quality of life and ensure this country's infrastructure works for everyone."

The Tennessee Department of Transportation will receive nearly $394 million for the America's River Crossing Project in Memphis, Tennessee and West Memphis, Arkansas to replace the 75-year-old Interstate 55 bridge over the Mississippi River. This is a nationally significant corridor for commerce and serves as a critical connector for residents, workers, and freight movement between Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi. The new structure will add capacity and improve geometric design.

"This bridge represents the single-largest transportation investment in Tennessee state history, poised to transform our infrastructure for generations to come. This historic project is four times larger than any of our previous transportation endeavors, showcasing a powerful partnership between states and the federal government. It highlights innovative infrastructure solutions that drive growth and economic prosperity," said Deputy Governor and Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Butch Eley. "None of this would have been possible without the bold leadership of Governor Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly, whose historic allocation of a $3 billion General Fund investment enabled TDOT to leverage vital federal and peer-state funding. We also owe immense gratitude to our Tennessee Congressional delegation for their support of this project. I want to especially thank Shailen Bhatt, the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, for being a bold champion of infrastructure initiatives in both Tennessee and Arkansas. Together, with our partners in Arkansas and the Memphis community, we are committed to making this transformative project a reality."

"I'm proud of the collaboration between Arkansas, Tennessee, and other regional stakeholders to help secure this important infrastructure funding for our region," said ARDOT Director Lorie Tudor. "I am grateful to the USDOT for recognizing the significance of this project and choosing to invest in this critical link between Arkansas and Tennessee."

The Large Bridge Project Grants under the Bridge Investment Program are available for bridges with total eligible project costs over $100 million, with minimum grant awards of $50 million and a maximum award of 50 percent of the total eligible project costs. Priority consideration is given to projects ready to proceed to construction. The program also funds projects that require pre-construction work and benefit from a multi-year grant agreement.

President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law established the Bridge Investment Program, and invests $40 billion over five years to ensure the nation's bridges remain safe and operational, meet current and future traveler needs, support local economies, strengthen supply chains to keep costs down for consumers, and create good-paying jobs across the country. More than 10,200 bridges are being rebuilt, repaired, or modernized thanks to President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In Fiscal Year 2022, the Bridge Investment Program invested $2.4 billion in the planning and construction of 37 bridges in 29 states across the country.

Additional information on FHWA's Bridge Investment Program, including Large Bridge Project Grants and Bridge Planning Grants, can be found HERE.

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