Craft Road Bridge Over U.S. 78 Set to Reopen Monday
Drivers in Olive Branch are about to get a key crossing back. The Craft Road bridge over U.S. 78 (Interstate 22) in DeSoto County is scheduled to reopen at 7 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28, according to an updated traffic advisory from the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT).
The two-lane bridge has been fully closed to traffic since 7 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, while crews carried out bridge repairs. MDOT revised the end time of the closure in its updated advisory, setting the reopening for Monday morning, just in time for the start of the work week.
Craft Road Bridge Closure: What Drivers Need to Know
For nearly six weeks, motorists who normally use Craft Road to cross the U.S. 78/I-22 corridor have had to find other routes. MDOT’s advisory lays out the key details:
- What: Full bridge closure for repairs
- Where: Craft Road bridge over U.S. 78 in DeSoto County
- Closed since: 7 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18
- Scheduled reopening: 7 a.m. Monday, Sept. 28
- Why: Bridge repair work
MDOT placed message boards near the site to warn drivers about the closure. Until the bridge officially reopens, motorists should continue using alternate routes and follow posted signs.
Why the Craft Road Crossing Matters
Craft Road is one of the main north-south routes through Olive Branch, linking neighborhoods, schools and businesses on either side of the busy U.S. 78 corridor. When the bridge is closed, that traffic gets pushed onto other interchanges and crossings, adding time to commutes and school drop-offs.
The bridge has long been on local leaders’ radar. Olive Branch officials have previously pushed for federal help to eventually widen the two-lane Craft Road bridge over U.S. 78 and I-22 to handle the area’s growing traffic. This summer’s work was a repair project, not a widening.
Check Conditions Before You Drive
Construction schedules can change because of weather or other factors. MDOT encourages drivers to check real-time conditions before heading out:
- Visit MDOTtraffic.com
- Download the MDOT Traffic mobile app
- Follow @MississippiDOT on Facebook and X
Drivers should also stay alert in the area in the first days after the reopening, as crews may still be on site finishing up and traffic patterns return to normal.
DeSoto County News first reported on the closure in August: MDOT to close Craft Road bridge over Interstate 22 in Olive Branch.
Source: Mississippi Department of Transportation
