Snow, spinouts, crashes lead to on-and-off I-80 closures in Sierra
SODA SPRINGS — Multiple crashes and a large diesel fuel spill forced an extended closure of westbound Interstate 80 in the Sierra on Tuesday that has since been lifted.
The California Highway Patrol's Truckee division said the closure, which was at the Donner Lake interchange, was expected to last around 30-45 minutes. However, that changed when Caltrans said a big rig crashed near the interchange, leading to an approximately 100-gallon diesel spill on the roadway.
Further down the hill from the big rig crash, near Whitmore Grade, CHP and Caltrans crews responded to a four-vehicle crash. No one was injured in either crash.
Traffic was briefly held on I-80 eastbound during the evening hours and was released. However, on Tuesday night, eastbound drivers were again being held in the Kingvale area due to snow and spinouts. It is not yet clear when the roadway will reopen.
Chain controls were in place for travelers in both directions. Eastbound drivers, before the closure, were required to wear chains between Kingvale and the Donner Lake interchange, while westbound drivers were required to wear them between the interchange and Rainbow.
Following an atmospheric river that moved through the region and pummeled Northern California on Sunday, roads up and down the mountain have been wet and slick.
For up-to-date conditions on roadways across the Sierra, go here.
