LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – After nearly three days of closures along I-15 and backups along I-40, California Highway Patrol announced Sunday the end of a closure caused by a truck fire that sparked Friday.
San Bernadino Fire Department reported the fire around 10 a.m. on Friday, stating that a semi-truck carrying lithium batteries flipped on northbound I-15 near Baker and burst into flames.
”I mean, I’ve never seen anything quite like it,” said Benjamin Leffel, an associate professor of public policy at UNLV. “Many have called it the worst traffic jam of their lifetime. I have to agree.”
Leffel was a part of the congestion and confusion over the weekend as he started driving back to Vegas from Los Angeles on Friday afternoon.
“The estimated time of arrival just kept growing,” he said.
After nine hours of standstill traffic on I-40 — and not even halfway back to Vegas — he decided to turn around.
“I had the choice of turning back, which is nice, but that’s not so nice for the people that stayed the course. I don’t know if they made it,” he said.
By Saturday night, Leffel was still in L.A., waiting for the roads to clear before attempting another journey back to Las Vegas.
Saturday night, California Highway Patrol said there was no estimate for when the roads could reopen, saying that after “multiple attempts were made to move the container from the freeway,” the container’s weight proved to be too great for the equipment called to the scene. I-15 northbound near Baker would remain closed for an “unknown duration” due to hazardous materials and chemicals involved affecting the area’s air quality.
Officials identified those chemicals as hydrogen cyanide, chlorine, and sulfur dioxide, all of which pose significant health hazards in high amounts.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also posted about the situation on X, stating, “I am in touch with FHWA personnel responding to the I-40 backup and I-15 closure in Nevada. Crews are onsite to provide water and fuel for drivers.”
Leffel said the situation shows how dependent the region is on private transportation and the need for more alternative options, like a train system between states.
”It’s a risk. We wouldn’t be so vulnerable to having something as small as an accident completely stop travel. It’s scary,” he said. “Let this historic traffic jam be the response to all the criticism of the LA to Las Vegas high-speed rail.”
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