The fire was said to be due to flammable materials located under the freeway on leased property. The incident raised concerns with commuters about transportation disruptions on November 11, 2023, where the projected re-opening date seemed out of reach until local organizations moved in for repairs and assessments. Governor Newsom initially declared a state of emergency with a projected completion date of 3-5 weeks out, which would have caused major commuting issues for locals, but due to the collaborative efforts of SoCal’s finest, an earlier opening timeframe was achieved in the early hours of November 20, 2023.
The teams that answered the urgent call were that of Caltrans, long time SCCA member Security Paving Company, Inc., Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters, Southern California District Council of Laborers, Operating Engineers Union Local 12, Cement Masons Local 500 & 600, and Teamsters Unions 166 & 986. The teams worked long hours in the field and doubled their collaborative effort. The I-10 freeway was successfully repaired and supported with their persistence, which allowed it to open just before one of the busiest holidays of the year. Our sincerest gratitude to those involved.
We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families and arrived safely.