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LACEYS SPRING, Ala. – The closure of Highway 231 in Laceys Spring has made many people’s drive more inconvenient, longer, and even cost them more money in gas. But the Alabama Department of Transportation said they’ll have answers for the public soon.

“We’re working on determining what we’re going to do to repair it, we’re reviewing options and we hope to have a decision soon,” said Seth Burkett from ALDOT.

ALDOT determined that there was a landslide on the mountain that’s approximately 50 feet deep. That’s about equivalent to a five-story building, but underneath the road. The affected 1000 linear feet of roadway has been removed and drill crews are taking samples to help better understand the issue.

Once they come to a decision on the best course of action, they will notify the public of their plans. Burkett says that could be as soon as within the next week.

“At that point, we should be able to provide the public with some sort of estimate as to what we think the cost will be,” said Burkett.

“More importantly, probably to most people, what the timeline will be for that road closure to remain in place and when we believe we will be able to reopen the road.”

With all the recent rain in North Alabama, sampling and drilling are taking a lot longer than expected.