Closure of I-40 bridge impacting supply chain, logistics companies and soon, your wallet – FOX13 News Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tennessee – The closure of the bridge creates problems for more than just daily commuters.

Freight and supply chain setbacks could hit us all right in the wallet whether you use the bridge or not.

FOX13 continues to monitor developments as the I-40 bridge is closed indefinitely.

“Shutting down river traffic is also a major concern as all this freight has to be hauled out of the river on the road and that’s just going to add more volume there,” said Woodson Dunavant, senior vice president of marketing. at Dunavant Global Logistics Group, LLC.

Dunavant said their goods are delayed on arrival for two to three hours.

RELATED: ‘We must immediately get people off the bridge’: listen to the 911 call that interrupted traffic

“They could run out of hours of service and they are forced to stop to spend the night in their truck or in a hotel and would make deliveries 12 to 14 hours late from what they were supposed to do at origin and this has repercussions on logistics. ,” he said.

Whether we use the bridge or not, economists say you may soon be feeling an impact.

PICTURES: I-40 bridge closed after discovery of a crack

“We are seeing an increase in prices in all areas. We are seeing an increase in inflation, this only adds to the difficulties in the supply chain, we know it is going to cost us more to get goods and services, ”said John Gnuschke, director of Sparks Bureau of Business and Economic Research.

He said the shutdown would likely cost more the longer it lasted.

RELATED: No schedule on I-40 bridge reopening, officials say

“The length of the delay will tell us a lot about the impact, the longer it is, the greater the impact, the more we experience major shutdowns in our logistics activities,” said Gnuschke.

FedEx Logistics Hub is monitoring the situation and implementing contingency plans.

MORE COVERAGE:

The 2019 photo appears to show a crack in the I-40 bridge so

Here are the other routes to bypass the closure of the I-40 bridge

Closure of I-40 Bridge Could Affect Prices for Goods and Services Shipped Along the Mississippi River

Drivers face traffic nightmare after I-40 bridge closes