Our View

Bridge closure a potential nightmare on both sides of the river

Remember not to long ago all the hype and hysteria over plans to shut down the Memphis Arkansas Bridge, commonly referred to among us folks who live around here as “The Old Bridge”?

During that panic attack local leaders from across Crittenden County and West Memphis solicited the influence of state politicians and even the governor to intervene in the Tennessee Department of Transportation plans to completely overhaul the Crump Boulevard and Interstate 55 interchange.

Red flags popped up on this side of the mighty Mississippi knowing that shutting down the bridge for months and even up to a year or more would result in major interstate traffic issues and cause serious financial harm to businesses on this side of the river, particularly Southland Casino and Racing.

At the time, then Southland’s manager Troy Keeping, led the charge and called upon city, county and state leaders to convince Tennessee highway planners that shifting all traffic for a year to the Interstate 40 Hernando DeSoto Bridge, or as we commonly refer to it as the “New Bridge”, would cause irreparable harm.

Several meetings were held between Memphis and Tennessee officials, local and state politicians as well as concerned business leaders that resulted in the project being delayed but not removed from the “to do” list. As we recall, there was even a public hearing in West Memphis where TDOT officials explained to citizens what the project would entail.

The ramifications that were brought up then and continue to be serious concerns now focus not just the major traffic backlogs but the negative impact this will have on the local and state economy.

Back then Southland’s money crunchers made it clear that the project would have a serious negative financial impact on its operation which would also mean less taxes to the city and state.

Every motel in Crittenden County would be affected in a negative way, especially when neighboring Memphis hosts the scores of major event that draw thousands of visitors, tourists and spectators.

Let’s bring this problem forward and point out the negative impact closing down this bridge for such an extended time will have on Southland’s $200 million building project that includes an impressive 20-story, first class hotel that will be dependent upon guests coming to Memphis events.

The question now is, will closing the “Old Bridge” for a year or longer discourage casino goers to simply go back to Tunica? And, if so, will they return to Southland once the bridge is re-opened?

The same concerns hold true for the other motel operators and owners in West Memphis and Marion, and let’s not forget the many Crittenden Countians who work and shop in Memphis and Southaven. Will Crittenden Countians simply go to Jonesboro to shop and dine instead of fighting traffic jams, accidents and long delays?

Those individuals who should also be as concerned as Southland’s managers are the West Memphis politicians and Mayor Marco McClendon who are all banking on the casino’s new taxes to pay for the record setting raises, new fire stations, a major upgrade and expansion at the Tilden Rodgers Park, and let’s not forget, new garbage containers for every resident.

Let’s just hope these spend happy politicians don’t regret putting all their eggs in one basket if this bridge project causes all the nightmares that many people have predicted.