Major San Francisco Freeway Structure Collapses--Experts Predict Commuter Hell

[James Burleigh]

So this tanker blew up last night and collapsed a freeway fly-over, which dropped onto another one, collapsing it too.

In the photo below, coming toward the camera across the chasm...I'm afraid that's a fairly important part of my return-home commute from San Francisco (along with about a quarter million other commuters ).

So it seems they're anticipating commuter hell tomorrow, because while the structure on top is a major afternoon connector, the freeway running perpendicular below it is a major connector critical to the morning commute.

I find myself, uh, strangely challenged by it all. :blink: In the picture below, cages see delays and frustration. I see wide motorcycle lanes and business as usual. I predict a 30% impact on my commute, or 20 minutes. Bring it on!

Jb

 

[650cent]

Wow, I hope the trucking comp. has good insurance

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

Did anyone find out the drivers name? Maybe it wasn't an accident. Conspiracy theory?

 

[Silent]

Did anyone find out the drivers name? Maybe it wasn't an accident. Conspiracy theory?

News reports that the driver was driving at an unsafe speed. He hit the guard rail, rolled over and burst into flames. All happened about 4am, so he probably fell asleep at the wheel (my 2 cents). The driver had the presence of mind to call a cab and get himself to a hospital. They have his name and everything. Lots of 2nd and 3rd degree burns on his arms and face.

I'm just glad I don't have to commute there.

 

[Toecutter]

Wow, thanks for sharing. Good info for future reference in my line of work.

I bet they get that thing fixed pretty quick. They should call those boys who arranged for the repairs down in Los Angeles after the Northridge quake. Something about huge incentives just seems to motivate people.

Watch the hell out for jealous cagers and hyper-squids at your six!

I'll add my BARF sig line for a reminder:

Lane share safely - Max speed 30mph or 10mph above traffic flow, whichever is slower. The life you save may be your own. The privilege you preserve belongs to us all.

 

[madmike2]

They (CalTrans) is saying 6 months and $250 million. They are applying for emergency help from the Feds (through the Governator proclaiming a state of emergency). This could be ugly for months: melted structure (I-beams) and bolts, plus whatever damage it did when it fell to the concrete freeway below. I'd think the tanker company didn't have enough insurance to cover this disaster.

 

[Last Chance]

So this tanker blew up last night and collapsed a freeway fly-over, which dropped onto another one, collapsing it too.
SNIP

Jb

James, just remember the commuters will be more frustrated by a power of 10. This means even more unpredictable behavior than normal. Just be careful!

Good luck,

LC

 

[RsvlFeej]

James, just remember the commuters will be more frustrated by a power of 10. This means even more unpredictable behavior than normal. Just be careful!

Good luck,

LC

+1

JB,

I know very well that feeling of anticipation when you see the highway start to plug up even before you leave the parking lot at work - kind of a "WTF will they throw at me today?" almost pre-big-event buzz mixed with a hint of feeling superior for being smart enough to have a vehicle not subject to "their" limitations. Keep your head up and moving, it ain't just your six you gotta keep an eye on... A$$hats are EVERYWHERE.

As above - good luck,

RsvlFeej

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

Ouch...I miss so much when I go riding into the Sierra in April. I rode without the liner in my Kilamanjaro and saw the remnants of snowdrifts that still covered garages. The bartender (coke please) said it's almost Spring. Heh...and a bridge falls. I didn't hear it.

When a bridge falls in the city, does anybody hear it in Tahoe?

Nope....

JB...travel as you see fit. I trust you now.

 

[Flyguy]

James,

Give us an aftermath update after you deal with it a few days.

 

[05fjrBluedevil]

So this tanker blew up last night and collapsed a freeway fly-over, which dropped onto another one, collapsing it too.

In the photo below, coming toward the camera across the chasm...I'm afraid that's a fairly important part of my return-home commute from San Francisco (along with about a quarter million other commuters ).

So it seems they're anticipating commuter hell tomorrow, because while the structure on top is a major afternoon connector, the freeway running perpendicular below it is a major connector critical to the morning commute.

I find myself, uh, strangely challenged by it all. :blink: In the picture below, cages see delays and frustration. I see wide motorcycle lanes and business as usual. I predict a 30% impact on my commute, or 20 minutes. Bring it on!

Jb

Yeah it is amazing how a little(major) event can cause lasting problems for your already fun traffic issues out there.

Sorry to see that that happened, but look at the bright side you can park your FjetR and ride public transportation for free :clapping:

 

[Last Chance]

So this tanker blew up last night and collapsed a freeway fly-over, which dropped onto another one, collapsing it too.
Snip

I find myself, uh, strangely challenged by it all. :blink: In the picture below, cages see delays and frustration. I see wide motorcycle lanes and business as usual. I predict a 30% impact on my commute, or 20 minutes. Bring it on!

Jb

Yeah it is amazing how a little(major) event can cause lasting problems for your already fun traffic issues out there.

Sorry to see that that happened, but look at the bright side you can park your FjetR and ride public transportation for free :clapping:

Yeah, that's JB's "Rapid Transit" bus :blink: :angry: :huh: sitting in the number 3 lane just in front of the four semi-trucks. :dribble:

LC

 

[Toecutter]

Interesting discussion over at BARF. Sorta political, so I won't post the funny stuff here.

 

[FJRSTAR]

Interesting discussion over at BARF. Sorta political, so I won't post the funny stuff here.

Funny that as soon as I heard about the melted steel, it made me think about what the fat lesbian had said recently about the WTC building 7.

 

[V GER]

Interesting discussion over at BARF. Sorta political, so I won't post the funny stuff here.

Funny that as soon as I heard about the melted steel, it made me think about what the fat lesbian had said recently about the WTC building 7.

I would really appreciate a board admin shutting this thread down, before it is escalated any further.

 

[E1Allen]

Lane splitting, Thats a novel thought for the other 49 states...

 

[Ignacio]

Interesting discussion over at BARF. Sorta political, so I won't post the funny stuff here.

Funny that as soon as I heard about the melted steel, it made me think about what the fat lesbian had said recently about the WTC building 7.

I would really appreciate a board admin shutting this thread down, before it is escalated any further.

Some folks here don't take too kindly to pre-emptive politics aversion. A link if fine.....as well as a reminder that this thread shall stick to other bike-bike related discussion.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

I'm waiting for JB's ride report. How was the commute?

 

[Toecutter]

I just want to know how to get my Garmin to forget that road exists until they re-open it.

That, and hear from JB how the commute was today....