A bridge over Interstate 65 in Shelby County, Alabama, sustained significant damage and a partial collapse on Tuesday after being struck by a large piece of construction equipment being transported by an 18-wheeler. The incident, which occurred shortly before noon at the 233.9-mile marker near Airport Boulevard, resulted in two people being injured, one of whom was in critical condition.
Calera Fire Chief Sean Kendrick confirmed injuries
Calera Fire Chief Sean Kendrick confirmed that the impact caused part of the bridge to fall onto vehicles traveling below. According to authorities, debris from the bridge struck a sedan, causing several injuries to an occupant when material fell through the windshield. Calera Mayor Kenny Dale Cost confirmed the injuries and reported that approximately three to four vehicles were damaged in the incident. In a separate account of the aftermath, officials assisted a family traveling home from a local hospital who had witnessed the damage, providing them with lodging at a motel until their relatives could arrange for their transport.
Alabama Department of Transportation reported the strike
The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) reported that at 11:47 a.m., the equipment struck the underside of the County Road 87 bridge at Exit 234. The impact necessitated an immediate shutdown of both the interstate and the bridge to allow crews to remove concrete debris from the roadway. Alabama State Troopers, the Calera Police Department, and the Alabaster Police Department were among the agencies responding to the scene. At the height of the closure, traffic was diverted at Exit 238 in Alabaster, creating approximately four miles of congestion.
ALDOT crews performed an evaluation of structural integrity
Regarding the bridge itself, a federal bridge condition site listed the 66-year-old structure as being in “fair” condition. While the site did not specify the date of its last inspection, ALDOT crews performed an evaluation of the bridge’s structural integrity following the crash. Plans for repair involve cutting away damaged rebar before further inspections take place. ALDOT has stated that the southbound lane of the County Road 87 bridge will remain closed for emergency repairs to the western half of the span, a process expected to take several weeks. Officials have not yet released a definitive date for the completion of these repairs.
As of 8:22 p.m. Tuesday, ALEA confirmed that the lanes on I-65 had reopened following ALDOT’s inspection. However, the incident caused significant disruptions to local travel, particularly for Shelby County Schools. The district issued warnings to families that buses could arrive home late due to the traffic shutdown. In an official statement, the district noted that schools are prepared to provide support for students who may need to stay on campus later than usual, and that the After School Care Program will also remain open to assist families affected by traffic delays following the workday.
For northbound drivers seeking to reach the Shelby County Airport, ALDOT has implemented a detour, directing motorists to take Exit 231 in Calera, travel north on U.S. 31, turn west on County Road 22, and then turn north on Smokey Road. The department has urged all drivers to exercise caution and follow posted work-zone signs.
The collision occurred during an ongoing $143 million, eight-mile I-65 widening project in Shelby County, which includes a section stretching from Calera’s Exit 231 to the Shelby County Airport at Exit 234. However, authorities stated there is currently no indication that the bridge damage is related to the widening project, and any connection between the two remains unconfirmed.