Lanes reopened on the northbound 710 Freeway early Tuesday after a big rig crash and asphalt spill prompted a full closure for nearly 10 hours in Bell Gardens.
A big rig carrying thousands of gallons of hot, liquid asphalt crashed at about 8:30 p.m. on the 710 Freeway at Florence Avenue, prompting the full closure. The liquid asphalt spilled onto the roadway, into storm drains and settled into the road surface.
"Because it is a large amount of liquid asphalt, it does harden quicker," said CHP Officer Doris Peniche.
Front-end loaders are scooping the asphalt from the road.
Two lanes reopened at about 6 a.m. All lanes are expected to reopen by about 10 a.m.
Motorists were being diverted off the 710 Freeway via Imperial Highway. Drivers are advised to try the northbound 605 Freeway, Garfield Avenue or Atlantic Boulevard to navigate the snarled traffic.
It was not immediately clear how many vehicles were involved in the crash, or if anyone was injured.
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Aerial video of the scene showed a smoking big rig on its side. Motorists stuck in the traffic jam were allowed to turn around on the freeway and exit.
