(The Associated Press circulated the following story on May 17.)
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The state will begin a feasibility study next month on a proposed $500 million dollar bridge over the Mississippi River.
The Memphis bridge would carry both highway traffic and trains. Neither of the two existing railroad bridges – the 88-year-old Harahan and the 112-year-old Frisco – is built to withstand the kind of earthquake forecast for the Memphis area.
Five of the nation’s seven Class One railroads funnel through Memphis. The Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe come to Memphis from the west.
The Norfolk Southern and CSX Transportation come from the east. And the Canadian National/Illinois Central goes north-south.