Big rig pulled off edge of I-5 bridge north of Sacramento after crash near airport
A big rig was pulled onto the road after crashing through a railing and dangling off the Interstate 5 bridge crossing the Sacramento River Friday afternoon on the Sacramento-Yolo county line, authorities said.
The crash on the Yolo bypass bridge blocked northbound I-5 traffic for miles from Sacramento International Airport to North Natomas. Vehicles remained at a standstill for more than three hours before tow trucks pulled the crashed big rig onto the road.
The crash was initially reported shortly before 12:30 p.m. after the big rig reportedly swerved across the northbound lanes and crashed with only its trailer still on the bridge, according to the California Highway Patrol’s online dispatch information.
Both northbound lanes over the bridge were closed as authorities worked at the crash site, Caltrans officials announced on Twitter shortly before 1:30 p.m. Friday.
Caltrans officials said the backed-up traffic was “impacting access to the airport.” Shortly after 2 p.m., officials said tow trucks had arrived at the crash site and the northbound lanes were estimated to be reopened by 3:15 p.m.
No injuries have been reported in the crash, the CHP reported. By 3:30 p.m., the big rig had been pulled back onto the road, and authorities had reopened the left northbound lane. The CHP estimated the crash site would be cleared by 4 p.m.
Caltrans highway cameras showed at 3:30 p.m. that northbound traffic on I-5 was still backed up to Del Paso Road in the North Natomas area, but vehicles were moving faster.
The right lane remained closed as Caltrans investigated damage to the guardrail from the big rig crash. There was still heavy traffic congestion throughout the area, and Caltrans said drivers should expect significant delays.
This story was originally published June 25, 2021 at 2:23 PM.
