A traffic collision involving a semi-truck occurred today on southbound U.S. Highway 101 near the Atherton Avenue off-ramp in Novato, CA. The incident happened around 8:50 AM when the truck collided with a barrier wall, blocking three lanes of traffic. Fortunately, the driver was not injured and was seen standing outside the vehicle.
Emergency services responded promptly to the scene, but the collision caused significant traffic delays. Initially, lanes two and three were closed, leading to heavy stop-and-go conditions that extended back to San Antonio Lane. The California Department of Transportation was alerted to assess the situation, including the structural integrity of the overpass impacted by the collision.
A tow truck was called to remove the semi-truck, which was reported to be a 36-foot box truck. By 12:06 PM, the lanes were reopened to traffic, although earlier reports indicated that some lanes would remain closed for an extended period due to ongoing cleanup and assessment.
Motorists were advised to expect delays and consider alternate routes during the incident. The California Highway Patrol issued a sig alert to inform drivers of the traffic situation, which has since been resolved.
This incident highlights the importance of safe driving practices, particularly in high-traffic areas.