18-wheeler shuts down Bankhead

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - An 18-wheeler got stuck in the Bankhead Tunnel Thursday around 10:19 a.m. The eastbound lane of the tunnel was shut down while crews worked to get the truck out. David Johnson with the Alabama Department of Transportation says this happens more often than you might think,

The truck carrying various items was just too tall for the tunnel.

"There is a 12 foot clearance on the Bankhead tunnel, and he was taller than that and got stuck in the entrance," said Johnson.

The impact literally peeled portions off the truck.

Photos: 18-wheeler stuck, Bankhead closed

Greg Poole with Pitts and Sons towed it out. Poole said it’s something the towing company has a lot of experience with.

"We had one Saturday, also. So this is the second one this week," said Poole.

Poole said he tows about five trucks a year that get stuck.

Johnson said trucks getting stuck is the number one reason that the tunnel closes.

It happens so often, the tunnel had to adjust. A concrete section was added to both sides of the tunnel in the 1960s because of this problem.

"There’s a steel plate that when a truck does try and come through it absorbs the shock so it doesn’t bust the concrete," said Johnson.

Before trucks even get to the tunnel there are signs that warning if the truck is taller than 12 feet, you need to turn around.

There are also metal chains and sensors that sound an alarm when you hit them.

"It’s just driver distraction, just not paying attention to where they are going. The warnings are out there," said Johnson.

Poole said it’s a distraction that keeps him busy.  

"You would think they would pay attention to the warning devices, but I guess it happens,” said Poole.

The driver of the latest smushed semi, was not injured but his truck suffered significant damage.

The driver also received a ticket from the Mobile Police Department for not heeding those warnings.