- Photo courtesy of the Falkville Police Department
UPDATE: Second detour on I65 in the works, interstate still closed
Published 10:24 am Thursday, September 20, 2018
Public Information Officer for the Alabama Department of Transportation Seth Burkett issued an update on the closure of I65 this morning. Burkett said the bridge abutment and deck were damaged in the tractor-trailer crash that occurred shortly before 6 p.m. Wednesday. According to Burkett, ALDOT is removing the damaged concrete sections and repairing and replacing those today and tomorrow.
“We are still detouring southbound traffic at Priceville (Exit 334) to Alabama 67 northbound to U.S. 31 southbound back to Interstate 65 southbound at Lacon (Exit 318),” Burkett wrote in a news release. “We are seeing heavy congestion on Alabama 67 going into Decatur, and crashes along the detour route, particularly one that occurred on the detour route this morning (on 67 northbound at Carol Lane, west of Country Club Road) have compounded those delays. (We are) also seeing some backups on U.S. 31 at Alabama 36 in Hartselle.”
Burkett said ALDOT is working on setting up an additional detour. Check back for further details as they are made available. Check algotraffic.com for developments and detour information.
The detour for southbound passenger vehicles is now Exit 325 to Thompson Road westbound in Hartselle to U.S. 31 southbound to I-65 southbound at Exit 318 at Lacon. Exit 334 is still detour for truck traffic. ALDOT has set up temporary traffic signals at the intersection of Thompson Road and U.S. 31.
UPDATE: 1:16 p.m.
According to ALDOT, most of the damage appears to have been caused by a nearly 60-ton landfill compactor that was being hauled on a flatbed trailer. The compactor’s toothed drum wheels gouged the bridge deck. The inside guardrail and bridge rail at the bridge abutment were also damaged. Also, the asphalt roadway was gouged and further damaged by spilled diesel fuel.
UPDATE: 2:46 p.m.
The bridge remains structurally sound. However, the gouges in the deck and roadway require repair before reopening to traffic. Crews have removed the damage concrete on the bridge deck and are placing forms in preparation for pouring new concrete. If all goes well, the bridge may be reopened by noon or earlier tomorrow.
UPDATE: 3:52 p.m.
According to Hartselle Police Department, ALDOT is currently installing a temporary traffic signal at HWY 31 and Thompson Rd.
Once complete, they plan to begin diverting cars from Priceville Exit 334 to the Thompson Rd Exit 325. Where they will exit and take HWY 31 to Lacon Exit 318.
Trucks will continue to use HWY 67 and HWY 31.
UPDATE: 6:00 p.m.
According to Hartselle Police Department, ALDOT is going to continue diverting all vehicles at exit 334 (AL-67, Priceville). Commercial and non-commercial traffic can take AL-67 north to Decatur or south to U.S. 231 in Blount County.”
“Possibly by 4 p.m., ALDOT will begin to send all non-commercial vehicles south to exit 328 (Alabama Hwy. 36) or exit 325 (Thompson Road).”
When this begins, non-commercial traffic that takes exit 328 can use AL-36 to go west to U.S. 31 or go east to AL-67. If motorists use exit 325 they can go west to U.S. 31.”
“There will be no traffic allowed to go south of exit 325. Updates will be provided if new information is available.”
UPDATE: Sept. 21 10:30 a.m.
ALDOT reports the concrete is still curing and personnel are working on various cleanup and minor repair items. “We are still aiming to begin reopening sometime around noon if all goes well,” Burkett wrote. “We are still detouring southbound passenger vehicles at Exit 325 to Thompson Road westbound in Hartselle to U.S. 31 southbound to I-65 southbound at Exit 318 at Lacon. Exit 334 is still the detour for truck/commercial traffic. Delays on Alabama 67 are much lighter today. There are some delays on Thompson Road.
