I-65 Southbound Reopens Near Mile Marker 2 in Mobile County After Commercial Vehicle Crash Blocked Lanes Saturday

MOBILE, Ala. — Update: All lanes of southbound Interstate 65 near the 2 mile marker in Mobile County have reopened, and the roadway is clear, following a crash involving a commercial vehicle Saturday afternoon.

What Happened

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) reported that a single-vehicle crash involving a commercial vehicle occurred at approximately 2:54 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, near the 2 mile marker of I-65 in Mobile County.

The crash blocked the southbound lanes of the interstate. In its initial statement, ALEA said the lanes would be closed “for an undetermined amount of time.” Southbound traffic was diverted at Exit 2 while the scene was cleared.

ALEA released the following statement during the closure:

“A single-vehicle crash involving a commercial vehicle occurred at approximately 2:54 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, and has caused a lane closure. The southbound lanes of Interstate 65 near the 2 mile marker in Mobile County are currently blocked and will be for an undetermined amount of time. The southbound traffic is being diverted at Exit 2. Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division are currently on scene investigating and will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates accordingly.”

Troopers with ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division investigated the crash at the scene. Authorities have since confirmed that all lanes are open and the roadway is clear.

ALEA has not released information about injuries, the cause of the crash or the type of commercial vehicle involved. This article will be updated if additional details become available.

A Key Stretch of Interstate

The stretch of I-65 near mile marker 2 sits at the southern end of the interstate, close to where I-65 ends at Interstate 10 in Mobile. Interstate 65 is one of the most important north-south routes in Alabama, connecting Mobile with Montgomery, Birmingham, Huntsville and points north. Southbound closures near its southern terminus can quickly back up traffic headed toward I-10, downtown Mobile and the Eastern Shore.

Driving Safely Around Crash Scenes

Crashes involving commercial vehicles can take extra time to clear because of the size of the vehicles involved and the possibility of cargo or fluid spills. Motorists are reminded to:

• Follow detour directions and instructions from troopers at the scene.
• Slow down and move over for emergency vehicles, tow trucks and road crews, as required by Alabama’s Move Over law.
• Avoid distracted driving, especially in backed-up or slow-moving traffic.
• Check traffic conditions before traveling, particularly during periods of heavy rain.

Drivers can check current road conditions statewide through ALGOtraffic, the Alabama Department of Transportation’s traveler information service.

Weekend Weather Adds to Travel Concerns

The crash occurred during a wet weekend along the Gulf Coast, with heavy rain and a Flood Watch in effect for coastal portions of southwest Alabama. Forecasters urged motorists to use caution on rain-slicked roads and to never drive through flooded roadways.