Trucker Tank Inferno Shuts Down 60 Freeway Through Friday [UPDATED]
Screenshot (ABC 7)
UPDATED: An earlier story said that the freeway would be shut down through the weekend, but now Caltrans officials are saying that it could be opened as early as noon on Friday.
A huge trucker exploded into flames on the 60 freeway near Montebello yesterday afternoon, scorching a nearby overpass.
No one was hurt and no one knows what caused it — right now it's mostly a pain-in-the-neck for commuters. The freeway is shut down in both directions at the Paramount Boulevard exit and is going to stay that way at least through tomorrow, according to the Los Angeles Times. This morning crews with Caltrans demolished one side of the overpass, which was damaged in the fire. Engineers are still trying to decide whether both sides need demolishing.
If one side it enough, the 60 could open around noon tomorrow. If not, it will open in the evening around 5pm. Rebuilding the bridge, however, could take months.
There's a camera on the 60 at Paramount Boulevard that you can watch on Sigalert (so you might be able to catch the demolition). If you're headed east, traffic might be a little heavier on some of the alternate routes, like the 210, 10 and even parts of the 91 and 5. Here's some help navigating the closures.
