UPDATE: 6:50 a.m. A second big-rig has overturned on I-580 this morning, this time in the eastbound direction near the Altamont in Livermore, according to news reports.
A report on KTVU says a double tractor trailer overturned after the driver said he began fishtailing in heavy rain. The crash is blocking three lanes.
From Bay City News as of 6 a.m.:
All lanes have reopened on westbound Interstate Highway 580 in Pleasanton after a big rig overturned earlier this morning, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The collision, located near the connector ramp with northbound Interstate Highway 680, was reported at 1:51 a.m. and blocked traffic until about 6 a.m., according to the CHP.
According to the CHP, the big rig spilled oil and diesel fuel onto the pavement during the collision.
A Sigalert had been issued for the area.
Patch will update this story as we get more information.
Because of my experience with the flooded highway, it sadly doesn't surprise me that these two accidents have occurred - in the article above it states one of the rigs was fishtailing in the rain which led to the accident. Are there any plans to work on this stretch of 580 to improve it? Patch, could you remind people of the need to slow down during hazardous winter conditions?
This morning, I drove from San Ramon to Walnut Creek during heavy rain. While most drivers like myself were driving in the 60 mph range, about 10% of drivers were doing 75 mph+, and a few were driving 85 mph+. At the 580 eastbound ramp from 680, I came upon an area of the freeway that was heavily flooded and my truck started to hydroplane. If my speed hadn't already been reduced at the time, I could have easily lost control of my vehicle - and a big rig was directly to my left at the time. I don't know if it's ignorance, or ego or just plain stupidity that makes some drivers drive WAY too fast in heavy rain, but, mindfully reducing your speed during weather like we're having can literally be a life or death choice.