Road closures due to Wednesday’s deadly helicopter crash in Madison County have prompting delayed starts for four north Alabama schools.

Madison County Schools said Sparkman High School, Sparkman 9, Monrovia Middle School and Monrovia Elementary will operate on a two-hour delay Friday, Feb. 17. Bus pickup times will also be delayed by 2 hours.

The move comes after consultation with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.

“MCSO hopes delaying arrival time for these schools will help alleviate traffic congestion along Jeff Road due to the closure of Highway 53 in the Sparkman area,” the school system said in a statement. “We appreciate your patience and understanding while we navigate this tragic incident in our community.”

Tennessee National Guardsmen Daniel Wadham and Danny Randolph were killed Wednesday afternoon when their UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter crashed near Highway 53 and Burwell Road approximately 13 miles northwest of Huntsville. The guardsmen were on a training mission at the time of the crash.

The crash investigation is closing several heavily traveled roads.

Highway 53 between Jeff Road and Douglas Road, as well as a stretch of highway between Research Park Blvd. and Jeff Road are closed to all traffic.

Madison County Commissioner Phil Vandiver said late Thursday the helicopter has been removed from the crash site and the Alabama Department of Transportation will begin repairing the road Friday. Highway 53 will remain blocked Thursday night.