Northbound commuters are in for some traffic delays.

A 16-mile stretch of Interstate 65 has been temporarily closed, while workers repair a sinkhole found in the road.

The closure began at approximately 9 a.m. Thursday. The sinkhole is in the outside northbound lane at mile marker 329.9, between Hartselle and Priceville.

By Thursday evening, traffic began to snarl areas along Highways 157 and 31 through Cullman and Vinemont.

What motorists need to know: Northbound traffic will be detoured over to Highway 31 to filter around the construction work. Most drivers will travel through Falkville, Hartselle and Decatur to Alabama Highway 67 and back onto I-65 north at exit 334 at Decatur-Priceville.

Specific detour routes set to take effect today include:

* Oversized loads traveling northbound will be directed off the interstate at Exit 310 (State Road 157) and proceed north on Highway 157 to Highway 24 to Moulton, then onto Highway 20 and back to I-65 at exit 340 (I-65/I-565 interchange).

* All other northbound commercial vehicles will be directed off the interstate at Exit 318 (Lacon) onto U.S. Highway 31 North to Highway 67 and back onto I-65 at exit 334 (Priceville).

* Light vehicles traveling northbound will be directed off I-65 North at Exit 325 (Thompson Road) onto U.S. Highway 31 North to Highway 67 and back onto I-65 at exit 334 (Priceville).

The detours are expected to extend travel by approximately nine miles.

State officials are currently unsure exactly how long the stretch of I-65 will remain closed.

“Engineers have accessed the damages and repairs are being made, as quickly as possible, to restore normal traffic flow on this portion of I-65,” an ALDOT spokesperson said via press release. “Motorists are requested to consider using alternate routes, adjust arrival/departure times, slow down, observe signs and message boards, and use extreme caution in this area. ALDOT thanks motorists for their patience during this construction to improve Alabama’s roadways.”

* Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 225.