ALDOT Working to Keep Traffic Moving on Hurricane Evacuation Routes

Matt Boster

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Posted by: Matt Boster
Date: Sep 08 2017 6:37 PM

MONTGOMERY – Hurricane evacuation routes in Alabama are expected to continue experiencing heavy traffic volumes and congestion throughout the weekend as Floridians flee the approach of Hurricane Irma.

 

Alabama evacuation routes are carrying traffic northbound and westbound from Florida and Georgia. All evacuation routes, especially those in Alabama’s southernmost counties, will remain congested until after landfall. Even then, these same routes will see heavy volumes of relief convoys and residents returning through Alabama.

 

In Baldwin and Mobile counties, a multi-jurisdictional effort of state agencies and local law enforcement are working to keep traffic flowing on Interstate 10 westbound with a nine-mile backup east of the Wallace Tunnels at 3 p.m. Friday. Officials have detoured truck traffic around the Wallace Tunnel in an effort to relieve congestion. The 90/98 Causeway was experiencing a five-mile backup at 3 p.m. Friday. Officials are adjusting traffic signals throughout the area to improve mainline traffic flow.

 

ALDOT is patrolling I-10 with tow trucks to clear crashes as quickly as possible.

 

Officials urge the public to monitor local news media outlets and social media for breaking traffic developments.

 

Across southeast Alabama, major routes such as US 231, 331 and 431 are seeing high traffic volumes and congestion. Along 231 from Dothan to Troy, traffic signals have been adjusted to give as much priority time as possible to northbound evacuation traffic.

 

Across Alabama, construction and maintenance activities and scheduled lane closures are suspended to give priority to evacuation traffic.

 

“We expect to see continued high traffic volumes and congestion in parts of Alabama as people seek safety from the approaching hurricane,” said ALDOT spokesman Tony Harris. “Our roadways are congested and we’re working closely with state and local law enforcement to keep traffic moving as efficiently as possible. We encourage everyone to be patient, drive attentively and safely, and buckle up during their travels. Safety should be the top priority for everyone.”

 

Motorists can find Alabama traffic and road condition information at http://www.ALGOtraffic.com or by downloading the ALGO Traffic app.

 

ALDOT’s mission is to provide a safe, efficient, environmentally sound transportation network across Alabama. For further information, visitwww.dot.state.al.us. 

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