Conditions on rain-slicked freeways jammed up the morning commute Thursday, with a big-rig crash impacting traffic on both State Route 14 and Interstate 5, causing delays for commuters through the Santa Clarita Valley.
California Highway Patrol-Newhall area officers received an influx of traffic collision reports since approximately 4 a.m. that impacted commuters traveling around Santa Clarita, said Officer Carlos Burgos-Lopez, spokesman for CHP Newhall.
The southbound I-5 truck bypass at SR-14 was to be closed for an unknown duration due to the crash involving a jackknifed big rig that went off the roadway and flipped on its side shortly after 6:20 a.m., according to Burgos-Lopez.
A Sigalert was issued at 7:24 a.m. and was to remain in effect for a yet-to-be-determined duration. As of the publication of this story, the closure had remained in effect until Thursday evening.
Burgos-Lopez added that the CHP may choose to keep the truck route closed if the weather conditions worsen to prevent any more traffic collisions.
Heavy fog in the Newhall Pass also slowed traffic flow in both directions Thursday morning.
According to CHP Traffic Management’s website, the truck route would be closed for the duration of the storm and Caltrans would be doing guardrail repairs for an unknown duration of time.
Burgos-Lopez added that there were no reported injuries in the big rig crash.
Traffic on the southbound I-5 was backed up as far as Lyons Avenue at times throughout Thursday morning.
In the past 24 hours, the Santa Clarita Valley was hit with heavy rain in several areas, said Carol Smith, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
She said the reported measurements were 2.63 inches of rain in Newhall, 1.45 inches of rain in Canyon Country, and 1.16 inches of rain near Bouquet Canyon Road.
Smith added that light showers are expected for Friday. She said there was a 40% chance of light showers in the morning and throughout the day it will keep decreasing.
Friday afternoon showers will decrease to a 30% chance of rain and Friday night there is a 14% chance of showers.
