Metro Gold Line Shut Down, 210 Freeway Snarled After Pasadena Big Rig Crash
PASADENA (CBSLA.com) — Crews have reopened all but one lane of the eastbound 210 Freeway in Pasadena following a big rig crash Thursday, but say they need 24 hours to restore service to the Metro Gold Line, whose power lines were clipped by the collision.
Two big rigs collided around 12:55 p.m. on the 210 Freeway at Allen Avenue, officials said.
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One of the trucks ended up on the Metro Gold Line tracks, striking and knocking down wires from one of the line's power poles.
One driver was seriously injured and another suffered minor injuries.
Metro officials stopped service between the Sierra Madre Villa and Lake stations, and said it would remain closed for roughly 24 hours.
Shuttle buses were being used to transport passengers from Lake to Sierra Madre. Normal train service will continue between East L.A. and Lake Station, officials said.
"They told us that they were going to have a shuttle here, but the thing is it's taking forever," Gold Line commuter Allison Luengas said.
Some riders say the shutdown has been a huge inconvenience, especially for commuters who aren't in the best of health.
"I'm 77. I have arthritis. I came from the hospital. So going up the stairs is too much for me," Elba Santos said.
Louise Ornigg, who rides the Gold Line daily, said, "It's definitely a headache for all of us, because now, for the next two days, we won't be able to use the Metrolink, so we have to take other routes, which will obviously take more of our time."
Meanwhile, freeway closures backed up traffic for thousands of commuters headed eastbound on the 210 Freeway.
