Fiery wreck shuts down I-85 Southbound in Montgomery

A massive fire from a wreck Tuesday morning has shut down Interstate 85 southbound in Montgomery.

Black smoke could be seen billowing into the sky at about 7:30AM. The wreck happened at the bridge over Perry Street.

Montgomery Police Dept. spokesman Maj. Saba Coleman says the fire started after a four-vehicle collision involving an 18-wheeler. She says the four drivers had minor injuries.

Coleman says the South Perry Street overpass bridge sustained significant damage as a result of the collision. All I-85 southbound lanes near the South Union Street exit and the South Perry Street bridge are closed for repairs.

At a news conference, city, county and state officials said two of the four drivers were taken to a hospital to be checked out. They said the two had cuts.

There are now detours in place for drivers to get around the damaged bridge. Interstate 85 southbound near downtown is closed.

Drivers in passenger vehicles can get off at Exit 1 and continue on South Street, which runs parallel to the interstate, before re-entering the interstate just before the I-85/I-65 split.

Drivers of trucks and other heavy vehicles will use Exit 6/Eastern Boulevard and circle around downtown, based on whether the driver is trying to head south on Interstate 65 (use Southern Boulevard) or north (use Northern Boulevard).

Traffic on Interstate 85 northbound is not affected.

Map of detours around the damaged Interstate 85 overpass bridge near downtown Montgomery – Map from ALDOT (Click to enlarge)

Officials say the Perry Street bridge is closed to both vehicular traffic and pedestrians. Do not attempt to cross the bridge. Contractors are at the bridge determining how to make emergency repairs.