Multiple big rigs crash in Sierra, I-80 and Highway 50 see chain controls
GOLD RUN – Stormy weather moving through Northern California on Thursday led to some travel issues across the Sierra Nevada.
All westbound Interstate 80 traffic in the Sierra was briefly held at the Nevada state line and in Truckee due to multiple big rig crashes during the afternoon.
Caltrans said the crashes were near Whitmore. The lanes were closed for over an hour and reopened at about 6 p.m.
The California Highway Patrol said three big rigs were involved and two cars. No injuries were reported.
Chain controls on and off for 80 and 50
Officials said the roads are slick as snow has hit the Sierra again.
As of Thursday night, chains were required between two miles east of Baxter to Kingvale for travelers in both directions but have since been lifted.
Over on Highway 50, the restrictions are in place between Twin Bridges and Meyers.
Snow brings mixed reactions along Highway 50
The snow blanketed parts of the foothills and tapered by the nighttime off after several hours of on-and-off showers, and for a lot of people, experiencing this late snow amounted to a mix of reactions.
In Pollock Pines, snow could be seen covering trees, cars and parts of the road potentially for the last time this season.
Pete Larson and his daughter, Adaline, were visiting Pollock Pines from Sacramento. They heard the snow might be coming into parts of the foothills, so they decided to make a day trip out of it.
"Just seeing it coming down and feeling it on my face is the best part," Pete said. "I want her to enjoy this as much as she possibly can because the next three to four to five, six months, it's going to be hot. So this is it."
Chance Shackelford spoke with CBS Sacramento as he got some last-minute groceries before hunkering down for the night. He said he was going to "stay inside, make a nice fire."
Other residents in the area, like Alison Conroy, were preparing for a cold night. She hopes this will be the last snow of the season and the last time she'll pick up firewood.
"I'm down to my last 20-30 pieces of firewood, so I really want it to stop," she said.
