I-40 Mississippi River Bridge: Critical Tension Rod Cracked, 12 More Welds Defective

Ultrasonic inspection of the 1973 I-40 bridge over the Mississippi River revealed a nearly complete fracture in a steel tension rod and hydrogen-induced cracks in 12 additional welds, invisible to visual inspection. The defects compromise the bridge's structural integrity, posing a risk of catastrophic failure. The extent of required repairs and any traffic restrictions remain unclear, but the finding underscores aging U.S. infrastructure vulnerabilities.