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May 13, 2008 State Agencies Practice Reversal of I-65 as Hurricane Season Approaches  Governor Riley speaks to troopers concerning their role in hurricane preparations. MONTGOMERY-Governor Bob Riley today joined state workers from the Alabama Department of Transportation, the Alabama Department of Public Safety, the Alabama Emergency Management Agency and the Alabama National Guard as they began a two-day training exercise in preparation for the upcoming hurricane season.
On Tuesday, they reviewed the state’s plan to make all lanes of traffic on Interstate 65 flow north in order to help speed evacuation from the state’s coast. On Wednesday, they will stage a mock reversal of traffic on I-65 from Mobile to Montgomery.
“From the time the decision is made to reverse traffic, we have about 36 hours to get people evacuated. We don’t get second chances. People’s lives depend on your decisions,” said Governor Riley.
The Alabama agencies have practiced reverse-laning I-65 since 2000, but the procedure has had to be implemented only twice: in 2004 for Hurricane Ivan and again in 2005 for Hurricane Dennis.
Alabama Department of Transportation Director Joe McInnes said the practice sessions have made an impact. “We have not had any fatalities due to traffic reversal during any of our hurricane events. That’s due to the time and effort all of these employees put into training exercises like these.”
The 2008 Hurricane Season begins June 1. | |
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