(NAFB) – Shipping was temporarily shut down in Memphis along the Mississippi River after bridge damage was discovered on Interstate 40.

While shipping along the river has resumed, the shutdown disrupted shipments of commodities and backed up more than 1,000 barges. Mike Steenhoek is the executive director for the Soy Transportation Coalition. He says this is a vivid example of the need for updating the nation’s infrastructure.

He says vehicular travel on the bridge is suspended and likely will be for some time. It also shows just how linked together the supply chain is, and when one link goes down, a lot of people feel the effects.

The infrastructure problems aren’t limited to certain spots in the country. The need for improvement stretches over a good chunk of the U.S. It’s going to take a change in the country’s spending philosophy to make it work.

With such a big challenge facing the country, Steenhoek talks about the best place to begin.