5 Freeway Through Elysian Park Reopens Following Fiery Weekend Tanker Crash
EYLSIAN PARK (CBSLA.com) — All lanes of the Golden State (5) Freeway near Dodger Stadium were open Tuesday morning as workers continued to repair a Glendale (2) Freeway connector tunnel that was damaged in a fiery tanker crash over the weekend.
The northbound lanes were reopened around 11 p.m. Monday, while the southbound lanes were cleared for cars around 3:10 a.m. Tuesday, Caltrans officials said.
Caltrans was able to open the connector from the southbound 2 Freeway to the southbound 5 early Monday morning.
The freeway was closed around 10:30 a.m. Saturday when a fuel truck blew out a tire in the tunnel.
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The big rig, which was hauling more than 8,500 gallons of fuel, burst into flames upon impact and caused structural damage to the tunnel and 5 Freeway above.
Officials also said thousands of gallons of fuel spilled into storm drains and into the L.A. River.
5 Freeway Through Elysian Park Reopens Following Fiery Weekend Tanker Crash
The truck driver escaped with minor injuries.
The northbound Glendale (2) Freeway remains closed indefinitely as crews continue repair work to the tunnel, which could be closed for up to six months, the California Highway Patrol said.
"There's a lot to be done and safety is our number one priority. As they go through erecting the steel and wood support structures, we should be able to open up more of the lanes," Patrick Chandler of Caltrans said.
