Crash Shuts Down Alligator Alley, Brings Morning Commute to a Crawl

COLLIER COUNTY, FL — Crash Shuts Down Alligator Alley, Brings Morning Commute to a Crawl

Morning drivers hoping for a smooth start to their Friday instead found themselves stuck in park—literally—after a crash forced the shutdown of northbound I-75 along Alligator Alley for over three hours.

The incident happened around 7 a.m. near mile marker 78, close to the State Road 29 interchange. Details remain scarce, with authorities yet to confirm how many vehicles were involved or whether anyone was injured. What is known: traffic came to a screeching halt, and patience ran dry.

Florida Highway Patrol and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office responded quickly, diverting traffic onto SR-29 and urging motorists to take alternate routes. Unfortunately, with few options on this remote stretch of highway cutting through the Everglades, many had no choice but to sit and sweat it out in the August heat.

Tow trucks and cleanup crews worked through the morning as troopers launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. By 10:40 a.m., all lanes were reopened, and the vital corridor connecting Southwest Florida to the east coast was finally moving again.

Alligator Alley, while scenic, is notorious for its long, isolated stretches with limited exits—meaning even minor incidents can trigger major traffic nightmares. Officials are reminding drivers to stay alert, obey posted speed limits, and plan ahead when making the cross-state trek, especially during Florida’s busy summer season.