What now? Detour and repair plans take shape after I-85 crash in Montgomery

Traffic on one of Montgomery's major thoroughfares will be snarled for the coming days after an overpass on Interstate 85 was heavily damaged in a multi-vehicle accident Tuesday morning.

The Alabama Department of Transportation and the city set a new detour for drivers Tuesday afternoon. They will now use Exit 1, South Union Street and stay on South Street until they can re-enter I-85 South at the Exit 1 entrance ramp when traveling south, according to a news release from the department.

All traffic signals on South Street are flashing for free-flowing movement, while the side streets are closed. Drivers should stay in the center lane.

Meanwhile, truck traffic will continue to use Exit 6 onto East Boulevard. Traffic going toward Mobile should take a left toward South Boulevard, and traffic going north to Birmingham should take a right toward North Boulevard.

"This detour will remain in place until ALDOT can safely reopen lanes on I-85. Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes and prepare for significant delays," the release said.

The South Perry Street overpass was knocked off of one of its supports in the fiery, four-vehicle wreck, which included an 18-wheeler carrying lumber. The wreck happened in the southbound lanes on I-85 about 7:30 a.m. There were no serious injuries in the wreck, officials said.

The average daily traffic count for I-85 at the overpass is 101,414, Alabama Department of Transportation data shows.

Crews are working now to stabilize the overpass so the lanes under the bridge on the interstate will be open to traffic, said Brantley Kirk, a spokeswoman for ALDOT.

There are no plans now to close northbound lanes of the interstate, she said. Traffic on the South Perry Street overpass, for both vehicles and pedestrians, is closed.

"We are working to make a safe bridge for traffic as soon as possible," Kirk said.

More photos: Accident damages Perry Street overpass over I-85

The deck and a bridge support of the overpass is heavily damaged.

McInnis Construction posted Tuesday on its Facebook account that it is involved in the process. "We are mobilizing our crews and equipment to stabilize this bridge structure. Pray for our men, women and passengers passing under this bridge structure," the post stated.

The extent of the damage is being assessed now, Kirk said. An ideal solution would allow repairs to continue while southbound traffic is allowed on the interstate. But the work may involve lane closures during certain times, Kirk said.

Plans were being reviewed Tuesday morning to streamline the work and detours. The wreck scene is one mile east of the Interstate 65 interchange, another heavily traveled interstate. The Labor Day holiday weekend will see traffic increase, and Alabama State University has a big football weekend planned.

"Make no mistake the city of Montgomery is open," said Police Chief Daryl Albert, adding that traffic flow will be routed as efficiently as possible.

There is no way to determine at this time how long the repairs will take, or how long any detours will remain in place, Kirk said.

Any detour changes will be announced through the media, Kirk said.

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com.

Alex Gladden is the Montgomery Advertiser's public safety reporter. She can be reached at agladden@gannett.com or on Twitter @gladlyalex. She also contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: What now? Detour, repair plans advance after I-85 crash in Montgomery