An overturned tanker truck on I-65 North just before Exit 275 (Barber Blvd.) has the interstate closed in both directions Monday as rescue and cleanup crews work to clear the wreck and contain fuel spilled from the truck. 

Gardendale Police and Gardendale Fire and Rescue are on the scene, rerouting traffic off of the interstate at Mt. Olive Road for northbound traffic and Barber Blvd. for southbound traffic. Extensive delays have been caused by the wreck and officials encourage travelers who are not currently stuck in the traffic to consider using Highway 31 through the area.

According to Gardendale Lt. Scott Banks, Highway 31 is currently very congested and delays are extensive because of the extreme influx of traffic from the interstate.

“If you have to travel through the area, please plan to leave early and use caution,” Banks said. He added that cleanup will likely take many more hours, impacting the afternoon rush hour. 

The driver of the truck was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. Birmingham Fire and Rescue and other agencies are responding to the scene to assist with the fuel leak from the tanker. According to sources, the tanker was carrying 8,000 gallons of fuel and much of that has leaked onto the roadway and median. 

As of 1:21 p.m., police said that two of the five tanks on the truck were punctured, they are currently waiting on another tanker to arrive to offload the fuel in the remaining three tanks.