Pasadena's 210 Freeway faced significant traffic disruptions on Monday due to an oil spill, as two westbound lanes near Lake Avenue were closed for most of the afternoon. Clean-up crews worked diligently to reopen the impacted part of the freeway, which was eventually cleared late Monday night. The spill caused a SigAlert to be issued for several hours before the lanes were reopened, reported FOXLA.
The California Highway Patrol was first alerted to the situation around 2:30 p.m. While the initial expectation was that the clean-up would last for a short duration, the operation extended well into the evening, causing significant traffic delays. And as the Caltrans crew labored to remove the slippery substance from the road surface, many commuters found themselves mired in a backlog of vehicles. According to a statement obtained by CBS Los Angeles, the cleanup process began around 3 p.m., with continued closures past 7:30 p.m.
Officials did not disclose the full extent of the spill nor the origins immediately. Upon discovery of the spill, they moved swiftly to address an "immediate hazard" as described by officers to KCAL News. The slippery nature of the substance necessitated a careful and thorough clean-up to ensure the safety of motorists, which contributed to the delay in reopening the lanes.
As of 8 p.m. on Monday, the California Highway Patrol had not provided a definitive time for when the cleanup would be complete. It remained unsure how long the Caltrans crew would remain at the scene, working to secure the area and prevent any further traffic complications. Following the clean-up, investigations into the cause of the spill were expected to continue, with updates to be provided as new information became available.
