According to the California Highway Patrol Traffic Incident Information page, at approximately 2:39 a.m. a white big rig rolled over in the southbound lane of Highway 101 near the Comminksy Station Road exit. The big rig was carrying scrap metal which spilled over the roadway covering all four lanes. As a result of the accident, personnel have initiated a hard closure of Highway 101 until the wreck and debris can be cleaned up.
The CHP Incident Information page explains that the scrap metal was ejected half a mile in either direction of the big rig rollover. As first responders made their way to the incident, there were multiple reports of their vehicles being stuck in traffic delaying their ability to respond.
The Caltrans Quickmap indicates traffic is heavily backed up in both the north and southbound. Highway 101 is a main artery in and out of Mendocino County and the CHP Incident Information page reports many commuters are opting to take State Route 128, a road that runs west of the currently blocked section of Highway 101. Drivers are encouraged to be cautious due to SR 128 being a windy, single-lane road.
UPDATE 6:23 a.m.
According to scanner traffic, personnel at scene have successfully cleared the northbound side of Highway 101 and it is open to one-way traffic.
UPDATE 7:25 a.m.
Traffic Update: U.S. 101 Southbound CLOSED at Comminsky Station Road in Mendocino County (PM 2.0) due to semi truck roll over. Truck was carrying scrap metal. Crews on scene clearing debris. No estimated time for reopening and no detours at this time.
UPDATE 7:47 a.m.
Scanner traffic indicates that the number one southbound lane of Highway 101 has opened but the number two lane remains closed as the big rig and the scattered scrap metal is being cleaned up.
