Eastbound traffic has been restricted to one lane on the I-24 Tennessee River Bridge at the Marshall-Livingston County Line. This is along I-24 eastbound near the 30-mile marker.
Overnight a section of a finger joint on the bridge deck became bent and created a hazard for traffic in the right-hand or driving lane. Some joints on the bridge were recently replaced. However, this joint was not. Last Monday, engineers examined the joints as part of a detailed inspection of the bridge structure and the joint appeared OK at that time.
It is possible the joint may have been struck by a passing truck or that recent extreme heat may have contributed to the issue. Engineers will further examine the joint during daylight hours and try to develop a plan to repair or replace it.
All eastbound traffic will move to the left-hand or passing lane at this site. This lane restriction for eastbound traffic may be in place for an extended period until a repair plan can be developed.
Eastbound motorists on I-24 should be alert for slowing and merging traffic as they approach the 30-mile marker. This is along I-24 just east of the US 62 Calvert City Exit 27 Interchange.
The Interstate 24 Tennessee River Bridge is a twin tied arch suspension structure at I-24 milepoint 29.352 at the Marshall-Livingston County Line.
The 2,017-foot structures with a 534-foot main span are also known as the Luther Draffen Bridge. The bridges opened to traffic in 1974. The bridge carries about 30,000 vehicles across the Tennessee River in an average day.