Update: Right westbound lanes still closed at Richmond-San Rafael Bridge toll plaza after fiery, fatal big-rig crash
The right lanes of westbound I-580 at the toll booth for the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge remained closed Tuesday evening after a deadly crash shut down the bridge in that direction late Monday.
No wide-load vehicles are being allowed onto the bridge.
A semi-trailer truck crashed into a toll booth shortly before 10 p.m. Mnday on the westbound lanes of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge near Richmond, the CHP said.
Both the truck and the toll booth went up in flames due to the crash. Caltrans and Richmond Fire Department units also responded to the scene. According to the CHP, crews had to remove the engine of the big rig, which only had one occupant.
CHP said the preliminary investigation into the crash found that the driver, a 41-year-old male from Tracy, was driving a Peter Built tractor trailer combination westbound on I-580, approaching the Richmond San Rafael Bridge toll plaza at the time of the crash. For reasons that remain under investigation, the truck collided with the toll plaza.
CHP said it was currently unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor in this incident. All lanes were shut down for a period of time to allow clean up of debris. The westbound #1 and #2 lanes were reopened shortly before 2 a.m. The westbound #3 lane was reopened by 4:45 a.m.
As of around 6:20 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, CHP reported that the right lanes remained blocked as crews continued repairs and clean up at the site of the big-rig impact on the toll booth.
CHP also said wide-load vehicles are not being allowed on the bridge until the work is completed and the right lanes have reopened. Wide-load vehicles should use alternate routes such as CA-37 to get into Marin County.
Motorists are advised to expect delays and to use alternate routes to avoid the area, CHP said. There currently is no estimated time to reopen the roadway.
