Photo by David Crane of South OC Beaches of the 5 SouthBound in San Clemente at Camino De Estrella at 4:00pm Thursday October 30 2014
Update: Yesterday a big rig overturned and a crane toppled onto all lanes of the 5 Fwy Northbound at Pico in San Clemente at 3:00pm. Debris spilled into the two fast lanes of the 5 Fwy Southbound. Traffic snarled the local city streets for the rest of the day.
At 11:30pm last night Caltrans reported that they had the crane upright and was attempting to secure it for removal.
3:30am Today: Caltrans reported that they had removed the crane from the fwy and that all lanes were reopened.
Updated at 7:30pm
A Big Rig fell over with a Crane onto the 5 Fwy Northbound at Pico in San Clemente today, Thursday October 30 2014 at around 3:00pm.
Debris spilled into the 2 left lanes of the 5 Fwy Southbound.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) arrived on the scene at around 3:13pm.
All lanes of the 5 Fwy Northbound was shutdown and remains shutdown at this time.
The CHP estimates that the 5 Fwy Northbound will be reopened in the next 6 to 8 hours.
By 4:00pm the CHP had cleared the debris from the 5 Fwy Southbound.
After that traffic Southbound was flowing more smoothly.
Caltrans recommends that motorists use alternate routes.
Caltrans states that the right shoulder on the 5 Fwy Northbound is in use.
Caltrans San Diego is stating that traffic at Batiquitos Lagoon is currently at speeds of 18 miles a hour. This is one of the closer exits near the San Diego and Orange County Line.
Street Traffic around South OC Beaches was affected today by the accident when motorists tried to find alternate routes.
Original Reporting at 4:30pm October 30 2014
There is a major traffic jam on the 5 Fwy today in San Clemente.
It is being reported that a crane overturned near Pico on the 5 Northbound.
This closed down all lanes in the area on the 5 northbound.
It is reported that debris spilled onto the first two lanes of the 5 Southbound.
It is being reported that they may be allowing cars to use the emergency lane on the 5 Southbound,
South OC Beaches was out and about in San Clemente today.
There was much additional traffic on the PCH and on the surrounding streets.
It was also reported that the south bound 5 at Ortega Highway also has a major traffic issue.
It is highly reccomended that you avoid the area or refer to your GPS for route guidance for alternative routes.
