Truck not stuck but Hwy 126
commuters put in traffic funk

August 19, 2015
Santa Paula News

It wasn’t a truck stuck under the Edwards Overpass on Highway 126 Friday that caused a traffic nightmare in record heat but rather a big rig carrying a large load that came to an abrupt stop, was turned around to head in the other direction but broke down on the opposite side of the freeway facing traffic before it could complete the maneuver.

The August 14 incident occurred at peak commuter time, 4:55 p.m. according to the California Highway Patrol that shut Highway 126 down about halfway between Wells Road and Briggs Road to remove the big rig traveling east bound.

But all lanes east and west were shut down with traffic diverted to Telegraph and Foothill roads, which started to snarl the surface streets.

Initial plans to move the big rig was to deflate its tires so it could pass under the overpass. That plan was soon abandoned and rather the decision made to turn the big rig around so it could head westbound to the Wells Road exit.

But once the truck, reportedly carrying what appeared to be an aluminum structure, was backed over the center divider onto the westbound lanes it broke down on the shoulder facing oncoming traffic.

Traffic was finally allowed through in both directions at about 5:35 p.m.

On Saturday morning the freeway was briefly shut after the truck was repaired and backed up all the way to Wells Road.

The Edwards Overpass is a misfortune magnet with numerous past incidents of trucks hitting the bottom of the structure and in several cases becoming struck.

There was no damage or injuries stemming from the Friday and Saturday incident.

But according to a witness there were plenty of   whot, impatient commuters stuck in traffic Friday in the middle of a 90-degree heat.

“Let’s just say,” said the anonymous witness, “that there was a lot of sweating and swearing…”





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