Two people were injured — one critically — after transported construction equipment struck the County Road 87 overpass above I-65 near Exit 234, causing significant damage and a partial collapse.
ALDOT closed both the bridge and the interstate until further notice, diverting southbound traffic at Exit 238 in Alabaster while crews clear concrete debris and assess structural integrity.
About 3 to 4 vehicles were damaged, and a severely damaged sedan was seen near the scene as state troopers, local police and EMS agencies coordinated the response.
Shelby County Schools warned the shutdown could delay afternoon bus routes and said students may need to remain on campus later while traffic backs up around the closure.
The crash occurred in the area of ALDOT's $143 million, 8-mile I-65 widening project, though officials said there is no confirmed link between that work and the bridge strike.