The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) has confirmed that all lanes of the Interstate 55 (I-55) Mississippi River Bridge will be temporarily closed during the weekend of November 15–16, 2025. The closure will allow crews to conduct essential maintenance work on the bridge’s finger joints—the metal interlocking “fingers” that enable the bridge to safely expand and contract with temperature changes.
Closure Schedule and Affected Areas
According to ARDOT, the closure will take place over two days, beginning Saturday, November 15, and continuing through Sunday, November 16.
If weather conditions allow, I-55 will close at Exit 1 (Bridgeport Road) in Arkansas and remain closed up to Exit 12 (Crump Boulevard/Riverside Drive) in Tennessee. Before the full closure begins, lanes will already be narrowed to one lane at Exit 4 (Martin Luther King Jr. Drive/Highway 38) to prepare for the work.
Work Details and Traffic Adjustments
The repair involves replacing and reinforcing the bridge’s finger joints, which are essential for structural stability on long bridges. These joints accommodate the bridge’s movement under heavy loads and shifting temperatures.
During this maintenance period, drivers should expect heavy congestion and longer travel times. A signed detour route will guide drivers to the Interstate 40 Mississippi River Bridge, which will serve as the alternate crossing between Arkansas and Tennessee.
Reopening Timeline
Southbound traffic on I-55 will reopen earlier than northbound lanes. The southbound lanes are expected to reopen by Sunday evening, while the northbound lanes will remain closed until Tuesday, November 18. Northbound vehicles will continue following the detour until the full reopening.
Closure Schedule Overview
| Direction | Closure Start | Reopening Date | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-55 South | 12:01 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 | 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16 | ~2 days |
| I-55 North | 12:01 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 | 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18 | ~3.5 days |
ARDOT urges all travelers to plan ahead and use I-40 as the preferred alternate route to avoid delays.
