All lanes open after midnight big rig crash on Grapevine

UPDATE–FRAZIER PARK, CA (Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at 2:13 p.m.)—CHP reports that all northbound lanes are open though the Grapevine. Traffic may take until about 3 p.m. to thin out and return to normal.

UPDATE–FRAZIER PARK, CA (Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at 11:40 a.m.)—Officer Richards of the CHP Fort Tejon Office reports that more than one hazardous material was spilled onto the roadway when the two big rigs collided. Those hazardous materials have not yet been identified. When asked about the reopening of the remaining two lanes, Richards replied, “It will probably be another couple hours because hazmat has just started clean up.”

FRAZIER PARK, CA (Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at 10:35 a.m.)—Two northbound I-5 lanes remain closed this morning, slowing traffic through the Grapevine. AT 11:45 p.m. on Tuesday night, July 18 a semi truck was traveling northbound when it collided with another big rig and turned over onto its side, blocking traffic in all lanes according to the California Highway Patrol. A brush fire broke out and officers from CHP stopped traffic at the Fort Tejon exit. They diverted northbound traffic onto Highway 138 just before Gorman. CHP Officer Richards of the Fort Tejon office said in an interview that the right two [northbound] lanes are currently open. “At 6:45 a.m. we reported [a projection] of a 12 to 1 p.m. reopening,” Richards said.

Commuters were informed about the incident by the CHP Facebook site: “Well, half way through the work week and it’s going to be a frustrating start to the day for anyone traveling north on the I-5 over the Grapevine. We had a major collision last night which resulted in all lanes being blocked and hazardous material was spilled on the freeway. Several agencies are on scene diligently working to ensure safety for all, expeditious cleanup and to once again get traffic flowing. This is an extensive cleanup process. Please be patient and take alternate routes if feasible.”

This is part of the July 14, 2017 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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