Expect delays on southbound I-65 during bridge repair

PRICEVILLE — There’s another bump in the road to the beach facing motorists on I-65 in the coming days.

While facing nightly delays during resurfacing on the highway, drivers will see significant delays on I-65 in Priceville as crews work to repair a damaged bridge over the course of several days.

From 7 p.m. June 28, through 6 a.m. July 2, the outside southbound lane and shoulder of I-65 at Upper River Road will be closed. The contractor will work around the clock during this time frame to repair the Upper River Road overpass bridge.

Because the southbound roadway will be reduced to a single, 10-foot lane, oversize loads are advised to use alternate routes.

Additionally, Upper River Road will be closed to traffic at the bridge beginning at 9 a.m. June 26. Following the repair, all lanes of I-65 will reopen, but the bridge closure will remain in place for several weeks to allow the contractor to raise the bridge and modify its approaches.

ALDOT advises motorists to plan additional travel time or use alternate routes. ALDOT will post message boards suggesting passenger vehicles detour to U.S. 31 via Alabama Highway 20 in Limestone County. Technicians will adjust traffic signals on U.S. 31 in Decatur to optimize southbound traffic flow.

For real-time traffic and road condition information, visit ALGOtraffic.com or download the ALGO Traffic app.

The girders of the Upper River Road bridge were damaged April 29 when they were struck by a piece of equipment improperly loaded on a trailer.

Girders are long, horizontal beams that carry the bridge deck. Although the only girder that was severely damaged was on the north side of the bridge, outside the load path for the travel lanes, and poses no immediate danger, repair is necessary before raising the bridge.

ALDOT previously awarded a resurfacing contract for I-65 in Morgan County to Rogers Group, which included work to raise the bridge. The department has now amended the agreement to include additional bridge repairs.

The $358,185 supplement brings the total contract amount to $16.5 million.

Meanwhile, work to resurface I-65 is expected to continue into late 2026. Motorists are advised to expect lane closures from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday nights through Thursday nights/Friday mornings.

The 23.4-mile project extends from Hurricane Creek, north of Vinemont, in Cullman County to about a mile south of Exit 340 at I-565.

The project also includes raising the bridge on Parker Road over I-65.