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A piece of construction equipment struck the County Road 87 bridge over Interstate 65, leaving one person critically injured.

A large piece of construction equipment being transported on a flatbed truck struck the underside of the County Road 87 bridge over Interstate 65 in Shelby County on Tuesday. The impact caused a partial collapse of the bridge, sending debris onto the roadway below and leaving one person with critical injuries after falling debris hit their car's windshield. Calera Mayor Kenny Dale Cost confirmed the incident occurred just before noon near the Shelby County Airport. The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) reported that the 18-wheeler was hauling a trackhoe excavator that exceeded the bridge's clearance. The crash caused significant traffic delays, forcing the closure of I-65 for approximately seven hours. While the I-65 lanes have since reopened, the southbound lane of the County Road 87 bridge will remain closed for several weeks to undergo emergency repairs. Alabama State Troopers will lead the investigation into the crash.

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