SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - Long-term lane closures will be in place while crews repair the Clairemont Mesa Boulevard overcrossing above Southbound State Route 163, after a crane on top of a big rig struck the overpass Thursday morning, according to Caltrans.
A backhoe carried by a semitrailer struck the overpass as the truck hauling it was traveling along southbound state Route 163 about 7:15 a.m., according to Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol.
The impact exposed rebar, broke off pieces of concrete and sent debris into the roadway, the CHP said.
The big rig stopped along the roadside after the crash. A caller told the CHP debris from the overpass caused a two-vehicle crash shortly afterwards.
Structural engineers assessed the damage following the accident Thursday morning. The CHP is now investigating the incident, which closed the right lane on southbound SR-163 and the left lane on westbound Clairemont Mesa Boulevard during the morning commute.
Caltrans District 11 Director Laurie Berman said that the remaining open lanes of the overcrossing and freeway are safe and the focus is now on repairing the damaged portions as quickly as possible, but that will not come without some impact to local traffic.
"Lane closures on both the overcrossing and freeway will be needed to make the necessary repairs," Berman said. "We are expecting delays on both the freeway and city streets through the area during peak commute hours, so motorists should seek alternate routes for the next few weeks."
Caltrans engineers indicated that the Clairemont Mesa Boulevard overcrossing sustained damage to a pair of concrete girders on its northwest quadrant. The cost of the damage is still being determined.
Check the CBS 8 Traffic page for traffic updates around the area.