Mysterious Substance Also Found At Rest Area On I-65

The Alabama Welcome Center on westbound I-10 at the Alabama/Florida state line remains closed Tuesday.

Workers found a mysterious substance in the soap dispenser in the men’s restroom Monday afternoon. The Alabama Deaprtment Of Transportation closed the welcome center and ordered an immediate inspection of the state’s remaining seven welcome centers and 19 rest areas.

Tuesday morning, inspectors found a mysterious substance in the men’s restroom of the I-65 Rest Area at mile marker 213 in Chilton County. There are no indications that the two discoveries are related.

ALDOT has now asked the Alabama Bureau of Investigation to join the investigation. Testing is being done on both substances. Both the Welcome Center and the Rest Area will remain closed until ALDOT knows if the substance is harmful.

"We’ve initiated a proactive response designed to ensure safety at all our rest area facilities, to include increased inspections throughout our facilities and grounds,” said Transportation Director Joe McInnes. “We’ve also communicated with the DOTs in neighboring states to share information.”