Gridlock grows on Harbor Freeway near downtown L.A. after crash

The northbound lanes of the 110 Harbor Freeway approaching downtown were briefly closed Tuesday morning after up to five vehicles and a tractor-trailer collided, the California Highway Patrol said.

The crash occurred near Gage Avenue about 5:30 a.m., the CHP said. All lanes were closed for more than an hour.

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Authorities managed to open two express lanes for commuters by 6:30 a.m. and two more by 7 a.m., while cars were guided to the nearest exit or around the crash. Cars were backed up for several exits if not miles, according to video on local media outlets.

But even with lanes reopening Tuesday morning, traffic “is going to be awful,” said CHP Officer Monica Posada.

A SigAlert was issued about 6:15 a.m. and was expected to last until at least 8:30 a.m., dispatch logs showed.

The trailer that overturned may have also spilled fuel, she said. Authorities requested a cleanup crew to bring absorbent material to clear the lanes. The crash occurred in the right lanes of the freeway and a cause has not been determined.

There were reports of injuries but authorities could not say how many were taken to a hospital or what their conditions were.

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