Freeway Tie-Up Caused as Lime Falls Off Truck
Spilled sacks of lime on the Riverside Freeway created a mess that blocked the roadway Monday evening and backed up westbound traffic about four miles, the California Highway Patrol reported.
Two sacks of the powder, used in making cement, fell off a truck about 6 p.m. and hit the freeway between South Raymond Avenue and South State College Boulevard, the CHP said. Motorists drove over the bags and broke them, spreading clouds of the white powder over the freeway.
Traffic was backed up to the Costa Mesa Freeway.
Authorities opened one lane briefly, but closed all westbound lanes while a cleanup crew tended to the mess, officials said. Traffic was detoured at the Orange Freeway.
The CHP expected the Riverside Freeway to remain closed until about 10 p.m.
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