Letter to Joe Biden, President of the United States - Hagerty Urges Biden to take Immediate Action to Repair and Reopen Interstate 40 Bridge in Memphis

Letter

Dear Mr. President:

I am writing to underscore the urgency of addressing the crisis at the I-40 bridge in Memphis between Tennessee and Arkansas and to express my frustration with the lack of urgency shown to this point by your Administration.

On Tuesday, May 11, 2021 a significant crack was identified in one of the bridge's structural girders and all traffic over the bridge has been stopped indefinitely, causing tremendous disruption to over-the-road transportation throughout the Mid-South. Additionally, the U.S. Coast Guard halted all traffic on the Mississippi River for three days, causing significant disruption to commerce throughout Middle America.

This situation is affecting the lives and livelihoods of real people right now. Resolving it should not require legislation, nor should it be delayed as politicians in Washington wrangle over the definition of infrastructure. This situation demands an urgent, all-hands approach to address the public safety and economic emergency mounting at my state's western border.

At a minimum, I urge you to convene the National Economic Council immediately to ensure maximum coordination among federal agencies with jurisdiction over the situation, and to ensure that your Administration is seeking and receiving the best advice from relevant experts outside the United States Government. Departments with jurisdiction include the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Defense, among others.

Along with three other Senators, I spoke with Secretary Buttigieg on Friday and similarly conveyed the urgency of the matter. Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. I look forward to working closely with your Administration to resolve this most serious matter.

Sincerely,

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