Rainy Weather, Slick Roads, All Lanes Now Open at River Road

This morning's traffic nightmare got worse in the last hour, as the CHP reported the following in a breaking news alert:

The California Highway Patrol is advising motorists to expect delays on southbound U.S. Highway 101 in the Santa Rosa area because of a four-car crash that has blocked traffic. The crash occurred near River Road and initially blocked all of the southbound lanes. Shortly before 11 a.m., only the center lane was open and it was raining. The CHP is asking drivers to slow down and leave extra space between their cars and the cars in front of them.

A follow-up announcement from the CHP says,

All lanes have reopened on southbound U.S. Highway 101 in the Santa Rosa area after a four-car crash blocked traffic earlier today...

The crash occurred around 10:40 a.m. near the River Road exit and initially blocked all of the southbound lanes. All lanes were reopened around 11:20 a.m., according to the CHP.

No information about any injuries suffered in the crash was immediately available.

According to this article on the Press Democrat, it all started with a 5:25 accident on Hwy 101 near the Hooper Ave. off-ramp. Traffic slowed, but impatient drivers were responsible for at least two more collisions in the stalled traffic.

“We have multiple accidents going on right now all over the county,” [CHP Officer Kerri] Post said about 8:15 a.m. “I don't have anything major.”

Her advice to drivers: “Slow down in the rain.” And stay further back from the car in front of you."

Patch has a live traffic map on every site, at the Commute link. You can also find current low rates for gas in your area.

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