A significant traffic incident occurred today in San Diego, California, resulting in multiple road closures and heavy congestion. The California Highway Patrol issued a SIG Alert at 2:59 PM, indicating that access to the eastbound Interstate 8 from the southbound Fairmount Avenue was closed. This closure led to substantial traffic delays throughout the area.
By 3:00 PM, while other routes remained open, they were experiencing extremely heavy traffic. The situation escalated when the southbound Fairmount off-ramp was closed at 3:02 PM, prompting the dispatch of traffic control units to manage the flow. A hard closure was established on the westbound Interstate 8 to southbound Fairmount by 3:11 PM, complicating the traffic situation further.
As the afternoon progressed, reports emerged around 4:00 PM of vehicles attempting to navigate through the closures, leading to near-miss incidents. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during this chaotic period. Emergency services responded promptly, deploying multiple units to oversee traffic management and ensure public safety.
By 6:57 PM, traffic control units began lifting the closures, allowing the area to gradually return to normal. The reopening of the southbound Fairmount off-ramp and the left turn pocket on westbound Interstate 8 marked a significant improvement in traffic conditions. However, the eastbound Montezuma Road from Fairmount remained closed for safety reasons.
Overall, while the incident caused considerable traffic disruptions and required extensive management efforts, it concluded without any reported injuries. The California Highway Patrol's swift response and coordination helped mitigate the impact on motorists, ensuring that the situation was resolved by the evening.
Motorists are advised to remain cautious and stay updated on traffic conditions in the area as normal operations resume.