UPDATED AT 8:32 p.m.: All lanes of southbound Interstate 215 in Perris have reopened, according to Caltrans.
The agency posted a Twitter message just after 6 p.m. Tuesday that the lanes had reopened after being closed for nearly 10 hours due to a big rig crashing into the freeway bridge.
The lanes were initially expected to be closed for 24 hours.
Original Post As Follows:
Southbound Interstate 215 in Perris was shut down Tuesday morning -- and is expected to remain closed for 24 hours -- to ensure that a partially constructed bridge is secure after a big rig truck slammed into it.
Around 7:30 a.m., a tractor-trailer being driven south on I-215 careened into the false work of an unfinished span at Perris Boulevard, according to Caltrans.
The driver suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Riverside County Regional Medical Center in Moreno Valley.
Caltrans spokeswoman Terri Kasinga said damage to the overpass was being inspected, but engineers will need 24 hours to completely examine the span and confirm it is structurally sound.
Meantime, the southbound side of the heavily used route, which stretches between Moreno Valley and Murrieta, is closed.
"At this time, motorists are advised to avoid southbound I-215 and plan an alternate route,'' Kasinga said. "State Route 74 is available from Interstate 15 in Corona and will bypass the closure.''
According to the California Highway Patrol, commuters can take I-215 south to Nuevo Road, but they will be forced to detour east or west at that point.
At Nuevo Road, motorists can exit west and then turn immediately south on A Street, which will take them to Fourth Street, from which they can return to the freeway or continue south on 74 to I-15, depending on which community they're trying to reach, according to the CHP.
Detour signs will be posted along the bypass.
A SigAlert was in effect as of 8 a.m.
—City News Service.
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