I-5 traffic returns to normal, says Cal Trans official

Northbound traffic on Interstate 5 from Anderson to Redding returned to normal after 1 p.m. on Thursday after major delays Thursday morning, according to Caltrans Public Information Officer Michael Mayer. At about noon, northbound traffic to Redding backed-up south of Balls Ferry drive in Anderson.

The delay was caused when the long line of semi trucks parked along the side of the road began merging with traffic to travel north of Redding on Thursday morning, according to CHP Officer Mel Hutsell.

With I-5 north of Redding reopened following periodic closures Wednesday night, the trucks were staged to travel north of Redding in groups of 15 so that a traffic back-up would not occur in the middle of the snow storm in the Dunsmuir area, Hutsell said.

"It is estimated at minimum four hours to six hours to clear current traffic back-up," Mayer said in a press release at 10:39 a.m. Thursday morning. "Motorists are strongly advised to stay clear of Interstate 5, use alternate routes. Local traffic currently on Interstate 5 should exit at the first opportunity and use surface street to get to their location."

As of 10:17 a.m., I-5 northbound traffic was backed up south of Riverside Drive in Anderson, Caltrans Public Information Officer Michael Mayer said.

Also, passenger vehicles were getting stopped and screened for tire chains north of Redding on I-5 until the restriction was lifted at 10:30 a.m., according to Mayer.

An accident at I-5 and Knighton Road between a semi-truck and passenger car added to the traffic backed-up from Knighton Road to Riverside Drive in Anderson.