I-65 bridge in Shelby County closed after construction hit

A bridge over Interstate 65 in Shelby County, Alabama, remains closed after construction equipment struck its underside on Tuesday, heavily damaging the structure, injuring at least one person and forcing a shutdown of southbound lanes during peak travel.

Bridge strike near Shelby County Airport halts I-65 traffic

Publicly available information from Alabama transportation officials and local media indicates the incident occurred late Tuesday morning, August 25, 2026, at the County Road 87 bridge over I-65 near Exit 234, close to the Shelby County Airport. A piece of construction equipment being hauled on an 18-wheeler reportedly hit the underside of the bridge, causing concrete and rebar to shear away from the span.

News coverage from Birmingham-area outlets shows debris scattered across southbound lanes of I-65, with sections of the bridge’s underside visibly gouged and twisted. Photos from the scene depict broken concrete, exposed reinforcing steel and a partially collapsed outer edge of the bridge deck, consistent with a high-impact strike from oversized equipment.

Transportation updates describe all southbound lanes of I-65 initially closing while crews removed debris and assessed the structure. The County Road 87 bridge itself was also closed to local traffic pending a full structural inspection. Drivers in both directions reported long standstills and slow-moving backups extending several miles from the crash site.

According to early reports, at least one driver sustained critical injuries when falling debris penetrated a vehicle’s windshield. Regional news coverage notes that emergency responders transported the injured person for treatment, while additional motorists and passengers were evaluated at the scene.

Structural inspections focus on rebar damage and span integrity

Transportation updates describe a multi-stage response at the bridge. Initial efforts focused on clearing large concrete slabs and smaller fragments from the southbound lanes to prevent secondary crashes and to allow emergency vehicles reliable access to the site. Once debris removal began, attention shifted to the condition of the bridge superstructure.

Published information from the Alabama Department of Transportation indicates crews were directed to cut away visibly damaged reinforcing steel hanging from the impacted area. Removing distorted rebar is considered a standard step before detailed inspections, allowing engineers a clear view of remaining concrete, bearing seats and beam connections beneath the roadway surface.

Inspection teams are expected to evaluate whether the impact compromised only a limited section of the span or affected the overall load-carrying capacity of the bridge. Depending on findings, potential responses could range from targeted repairs and temporary shoring to more extensive rehabilitation or replacement. Until those evaluations are complete, the bridge will remain closed, and traffic patterns around Exit 234 are likely to stay altered.

The bridge sits within a wider I-65 corridor in Shelby County that has seen ongoing lane additions, interchange work and bridge improvements in recent years. Alabama transportation planning documents highlight this stretch as one of the state’s busiest and most congested, which heightens scrutiny on any structural damage that could affect long-term safety and mobility.

Major detours and extended congestion for Shelby County drivers

According to traffic alerts and local coverage, vehicles traveling southbound on I-65 have been diverted at Exit 238 in Alabaster, several miles north of the damaged bridge. Drivers are routed onto alternate surface roads before they can rejoin the interstate south of the closure, significantly increasing travel times through the area.

Early reports described backups of roughly four miles or more in the immediate aftermath of the strike, with congestion spilling into nearby communities accustomed to heavy commuter and freight traffic even under normal conditions. Social media posts from travelers and residents refer to near standstill conditions on both the interstate and parallel routes as drivers seek alternate paths.

Nearby cities including Alabaster and Calera have issued public advisories encouraging drivers to avoid the affected segment of I-65 when possible. Publicly available statements recommend using US 31 and other local corridors, allowing additional time for school pickups, and checking navigation apps or transportation agency channels for updated information before starting a trip.

With no firm reopening time yet publicly provided for either the bridge or the affected lanes of I-65, travelers heading between Birmingham and points south in central Alabama may face extended delays. The incident adds another disruption to a corridor already shaped by long-term widening and construction activity.

Safety practices under scrutiny as work continues on I-65

The incident has renewed attention on the movement of construction equipment through active interstate work zones. Preliminary reports indicate the bridge was struck by equipment being transported on a flatbed or lowboy trailer, which raises questions about load height, securement practices and route planning in relation to known bridge clearances.

National transportation safety guidance emphasizes that carriers moving oversized or tall loads share responsibility for confirming route suitability, including vertical clearances under bridges and overpasses. When those checks fail or conditions change in the field, the consequences can be significant, particularly on high-volume corridors with limited redundancy.

State transportation reports on I-65 in Shelby County describe a long-running effort to widen the interstate, replace aging bridges and improve traffic flow through one of Alabama’s most heavily traveled stretches. That broader program has involved complex staging, temporary traffic patterns and frequent movements of heavy machinery in and around live traffic.

While detailed findings from this week’s bridge strike have not yet been published, the event is likely to prompt closer examination of contractor protocols and carrier compliance with oversize-load rules along the corridor. Transportation planners increasingly stress that progress on capacity projects must be balanced with rigorous work-zone safety practices for both workers and motorists.

Travel outlook: drivers urged to monitor updates and plan ahead

As of Wednesday morning, August 26, publicly accessible reports indicate the County Road 87 bridge remains closed, with I-65 lane availability dependent on ongoing debris removal and structural assessment. Transportation updates describe the situation as an evolving closure with no announced timeline for full restoration of normal traffic.

Drivers planning to traverse I-65 through Shelby County are being urged via public channels to check live traffic maps, navigation apps and official transportation websites before departure. Commuters with flexible schedules may find it advisable to travel outside peak hours, while long-distance travelers between Birmingham and coastal or southern destinations are encouraged to allow significant additional travel time.

The disruption arrives near the tail end of a summer marked by major interstate work elsewhere along I-65, including bridge replacement closures and weekend shutdowns in other states. For travelers, the Shelby County bridge strike serves as another reminder that construction activity and heavy equipment movement can have sudden, far-reaching effects on regional mobility.

Until engineers determine the extent of structural damage and outline next steps, the bridge near Exit 234 will remain a focal point for both safety analysis and traffic management. Motorists are advised to remain patient, follow posted detours and stay attentive to updates as the situation develops.

WBRC: 1 critically injured after construction equipment hits I-65 bridge in Shelby County

Ground News: All lanes closed after excavator hits I-65 bridge near Shelby County Airport

ALDOT News: I-65 widening project in Shelby County

ALDOT Annual Report: I-65 corridor improvements in Shelby County