Sierra gets fresh batch of snow, chain controls in effect on Interstate 80 and Highway 50
KINGVALE – Chain controls remain in effect on Interstate 80 in the Sierra Nevada on Thursday as a fresh batch of snow rolls through the high country.
California Highway Patrol announced around 3:30 p.m. that westbound I-80 had reopened after being closed west of Blue Canyon due to a jackknifed big rig.
Along eastbound I-80, per Caltrans, chain controls are in effect from Kingvale to Truckee. Westbound traffic will need to have chains on from the Donner Lake Interchange to Kingvale.
Over on Highway 50, a crash in the Echo Summit area resulted in a brief full closure of all lanes at around 3:30 p.m. The west lanes were closed at Meyers while the east lanes were closed at Echo Summit.
As of Thursday afternoon, Highway 50 had chain controls up from Twin Bridges to Echo Summit.
Frequent travelers through the area urge people to be ready for snow.
"You know, always got to be prepared," said Christopher Escoto, a box truck driver who was chaining up along I-80. "Can never be too prepared when you're dealing with the snow."
The Sacramento Valley will also see some patches of heavy rain on Thursday due to the same system.
