A crash inside the right bore of the Caldecott Tunnel on eastbound Highway 24 threw today's midday drive into chaos, with traffic backing up all the way to Broadway and choking the Oakland-to-Orinda run. One incident was all it took to squeeze eastbound capacity and send long delays snaking through the hills.
What Officials Posted
According to Caltrans District 4, which amplified a KCBS AM/FM traffic alert, the crash happened "inside the right tunnel" on eastbound Highway 24, with traffic "backed up to Broadway." The post noted that drivers could still use the left tunnel into Orinda while crews worked to clear the scene. Agencies are expected to release more confirmed details, and this item will be updated as they become available.
#CaldecottTunnel A crash inside the right tunnel on Highway 24 eastbound has traffic backed up to Broadway... use the left tunnel into #Orinda #KCBSTraffic 📸: @CaltransD4 pic.twitter.com/V8mGMFZhgi
— KCBS Radio - The Traffic Leader (@KCBSAMFMTraffic) February 6, 2026
How To Dodge The Delay
Traffic outlets urged motorists to check live feeds and think twice before diving into the hills. For real-time lane status and closure information, see Caltrans QuickMap. Commuters who can reroute should expect I-580 and nearby surface streets to run heavier than usual during any major Caldecott backup.
Why The Caldecott Clogs So Fast
The Caldecott Tunnel is a notorious chokepoint where a single collision or vehicle issue can ripple across several corridors and commutes in minutes. A December tunnel blaze, covered in Hoodline's report on the fiery tunnel debacle, showed how quickly the eastbound bores can grind to a halt. For this latest incident, drivers are urged to monitor official feeds and traffic maps for reopening notices and verified updates.
