SHELBY COUNTY, Ala. (WBMA) – Two people were injured, one seriously, after a County Road 87 bridge over Interstate 65 was struck by a large piece of equipment being transported Tuesday, causing significant damage and a partial collapse, according to authorities. Calera Mayor Kenny Dale Cost confirmed the injuries and said between 3 and 4 vehicles were damaged. The bridge, located at southbound I-65, 234 mile marker near Airport Boulevard, and the interstate are closed. Officials say both will remain closed until further notice. Southbound I-65 traffic was being detoured at Exit 238 in Alabaster. Drivers are urged to use alternative routes and expect delays. The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) said it has teams on site to evaluate the structural integrity of the bridge. Multiple agencies have shared information about the incident, including the Alabama State Troopers, the Calera Police Department and the Alabaster Police Department. Ambulance and emergency medical services agencies have also reissued alerts about the closures. A severely damaged sedan was also seen in the area. It was also not immediately clear if anyone was injured. The closure comes as ALDOT continues work on an eight-mile I-65 widening project in Shelby County. The $143 million project includes a southern section that extends from Calera Exit 231 to Shelby County Airport Exit 234. Officials have not announced how long the closures will last while crews assess the damage and work at the scene. ALDOT issued the following statement shortly after the incident: The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is aware that a piece of construction equipment struck the underside of the CR-87 bridge over I-65 at Exit 234 in Shelby County shortly before 12 pm today. The interstate is currently closed to allow crews to remove concrete debris from the roadway. The CR-87 bridge is also currently closed to traffic. ALDOT has teams on site to evaluate the structural integrity of the bridge. Southbound I-65 will reopen as soon as it is safely possible. Shelby County Schools sent a message to families warning them that after-school bus travel would be affected by the incident, warning of possible late arrivals home for students. “Our schools are prepared to support students who need to stay on campus later than usual. Additionally, the After School Care Program will remain open to assist families who may be affected by traffic delays after the work day,” the school district said. As of 4:30 p.m., ALEA said the bridge inspection was completed and added that it hoped to reopen I-65S later in the afternoon. The southbound lane on the CR-87 bridge itself will remain closed for now.
