Update: Caltrans reopens eastbound I-580 lanes near Livermore ahead of Friday getaway
LIVERMORE -- Caltrans crews have reopened four eastbound lanes of traffic on Interstate Highway 580 east of Livermore after shifting lanes away from the shoulder being undermined by a recent washout.
While repairs to the major artery from the Bay Area to the Central Valley further challenged commuters' patience Friday morning, the reopened lanes should ease traffic through the busy area this afternoon.
Lanes were closed along a four-lane stretch of roadway through the Altamont Pass just east of North Flynn Road from a worsening landslide next to the eastbound lanes. The slide, which initially caused a huge crack in the roadway, was first reported Monday.
Thursday, three eastbound lanes of Interstate 580 were closed as Caltrans crews made major repairs to the roadway and shored up the landslide area. On Friday morning, KCBS Radio reported a "monster delay" on eastbound 580 as crews worked to finalize repairs.
While the morning commute is largely westbound, the eastbound traffic Friday morning was backed up all the way to First St. in Livermore and was taking drivers more than an hour to get through the backup, KCBS reported.
Caltrans was able to reopen all four eastbound lanes by around 1:15 p.m., well before Friday getaway traffic got heavier. The lanes have been shifted to the left away from the landslide and restriped.
Caltrans encouraged commuters and other travelers to use the Altamont Corridor Express. ACE customer service can be reached from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday at (800) 411-7245.
Motorists were advised to use alternate routes and to expect delays until the lanes are permanently reopened.
