Last Updated on February 15, 2018 by CCAR Staff
A big rig possibly hit a bridge over the northbound 215 Freeway in Colton and collided with a passenger vehicle, catching both on fire and leading to a shutdown of all northbound lanes Wednesday evening, according to Caltrans and California Highway Patrol traffic websites.
The SigAlert just north of the border between Riverside and San Bernardino counties was called about 7 p.m. and expected to last 1 1/2 hours. But by 9 p.m. it was extended for another hour, and only the high occupancy vehicle lane and fast lane had reopened. Three other travel lanes remained closed.
Update SBCO: Northbound I-215 at La Cadena — overturned big rig on fire. HOV lane open. Lanes #1, #2, #3 and #4 still blocked. Avoid the area if possible. Use Caltrans free QuickMap app for alternate routes. #Caltrans8 #quickmap
— Caltrans District 8 (@Caltrans8) February 15, 2018
Colton police were called to assist with directing stopped vehicles to go the wrong way to the Iowa freeway ramp, records showed.
Colton firefighters were called to extinguish the blaze. The fire department’s Facebook page noted that multiple vehicles were on fire on the freeway between Iowa and Barton Road exit.
Loma Linda and San Bernardino County firefighters were assisting.
At 7:09 p.m. a CHP log entry noted that the fire was not affecting railroad tracks — which are on an overpass just north of Iowa.
By 8:16 p.m. there was a request to activate electronic freeway message signs within a 10-mile radius to notify motorists of the freeway lanes closure.
This story is developing. Watch for updates.
