Opelika, Alabama – A fiery crash involving a commercial vehicle shut down the southbound lanes of Interstate 85 near the 23-mile marker in Macon County early Tuesday morning, creating major delays for Alabama drivers.
According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), the single-vehicle crash happened around 1:05 a.m. Tuesday, July 22, when a truck caught fire. The southbound lanes of I-85 are currently closed while recovery and wrecker crews work to clear the scene. No estimated reopening time has been given.
The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is on site to manage traffic, while troopers with ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division investigate the incident and assist with control measures. Travelers heading through Macon County are urged to avoid the area and seek alternate routes via U.S. Highway 29 or state highways to minimize delays.
The closure affects a key corridor between Opelika and Montgomery, impacting early morning commuters and commercial deliveries. Drivers should expect significant slowdowns, especially at the 23-mile marker. Anyone needing to travel south on I-85 should check local traffic updates and delay non-essential trips until lanes reopen.
ALEA warns that the closure may last for several more hours, and updates will be posted as recovery progresses. Additional advisories could follow depending on the cleanup.
