An overturned tanker truck is blocking both lanes of southbound Highway 101 between Los Osos Valley Road and Higuera Street, and the highway is closed. Traffic is at a standstill and backed up to the Madonna Road exit. Drivers can expect major delays and Caltrans recommends taking other routes. Northbound lanes of Highway 101 through the southern San Luis Obispo area remain open.
UPDATE Thursday, October 25, 2018 5 PM: Highway 101 southbound was closed for over four hours Thursday after the driver of a semi-trailer truck lost control and flipped, blocking all lanes and spilling over 2000 gallons of liquid fertilizer onto the roadway. No injuries were reported and the cause of the crash is still under investigation.
UPDATE Thursday, October 25, 2018 1 PM: As of 12:44 p.m., the highway has reopened and traffic is flowing normally.
UPDATE Thursday, October 25, 2018 11 AM: Caltrans reports the liquid spilling from the overturned tanker truck is not a hazardous material, and crews continue to clean up and put the tanker truck upright.
UPDATE Thursday, October 25, 2018 10:45 AM: CalFire San Luis Obispo reports that engines are on the scene, along with Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol. A precautionary evacuation of the Johnson Ranch open spacehas been ordered. A hazmat unit is currently assessing the damage to the tanker and leak to confirm the identity and quantity of the chemical.
This story is being updated as more information becomes available.