Oct 15, 2009 12:25 am US/Pacific
Big-Rig Blocks WB Bay Bridge For Hours
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5 / KCBS / BCN) ―
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A Safeway big rig lies on its side after flipping over on the new S-curve on the Bay Bridge Wednesday.
CBS
All westbound lanes of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge were open shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday night, about five and a half hours after a big-rig overturned mid-span and created a traffic nightmare.
CHP spokesman Shawn Chase said the vehicle was removed shortly before 8 p.m. and all lanes were clear around 8:15 p.m.
The crash happened around 2:30 p.m. when the driver of a Safeway truck tried to slow down as he entered the new S-curve section of the bridge but lost control and crashed, initially closing four out of five lanes. A second lane was then opened, allowing vehicles to move slowly by the crash.
Chase said earlier Wednesday the traffic approaching the area was "horrendous" and drivers were urged to avoid the Bay Bridge and take either the Golden Gate Bridge or the San Mateo Bridge. He said shortly after the crash was cleared he expected traffic to remain heavy in the area for several hours.
No other vehicles were involved in the crash, which Chase called "a minor miracle."
"It was very fortunate," Chase said. "He went across all four lanes and didn't hit anyone."
The driver reported pain in his lower leg but otherwise was "fine," according to Chase.
The CHP indicated that driver had been working for Safeway for some time and has navigated the Bay Bridge many times, but this was the first time with the newly added section.
The driver told investigators he was driving at 55 mph at the time, saw a 40-mph sign at the beginning of the S-curve zone and slowed down too late.
The top of the truck's trailer ripped open, spilling its contents onto the road. The truck was headed to deliveries at grocery stores in San Francisco and Pacifica, according to Safeway spokeswoman Susan Houghton.
Only the far left lane of the roadway remained open as tow trucks attempted to remove the big-rig, Chase said.
The CHP advised motorists to take an alternate route if possible as they expected the westbound Bay Bridge backup would continue throughout the evening.
Chase described traffic approaching the area as "horrendous" during the evening rush hour and suggested that drivers should avoid the Bay Bridge and take either the Golden Gate Bridge or the San Mateo Bridge.
This was the second crash in as many days on that new section of the Bay Bridge.
Caltrans spokesman Bart Ney said that in the wake of recent crashes at the S-curve, the agency would begin installing vehicle speed, and an epoxy grit surface over steel plates at both ends of the S-curve for better traction.
Caltrans was also considering adding "rumble bumps," reflectors that make a noise when drivers cross them, at the approaches to the S-curve, Ney said.
The speed limit of 40 miles per hour was set because that was deemed a safe speed for drivers to maneuver the new configuration.
(© CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Bay City News contributed to this report.)
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