UPDATE: Tree Blocks Highway 17; Multiple Crashes Reported

UPDATE 4:53 p.m.

The California Highway Patrol has reopened all lanes of Highway 17 following a blockage that slowed traffic to a crawl and lasted nearly five hours.

(Original story)

A large tree is blocking two lanes on state Highway 17, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Officers received a report at about 12:10 p.m. of a tree blocking lanes on Highway 17 at Redwood Estates, CHP Officer Ron Simmons said. Initially all four lanes -- two northbound and two southbound -- were blocked.

As of 1:05 p.m., two of the lanes remained blocked, CHP Officer Ross Lee said.

Officers responded to the scene along with fire crews, who used chainsaws to cut the large tree into portions, Lee said. The tree measured between 12 inches and 18 inches in diameter, according to Lee.

Caltrans personnel have arrived to the scene and are in the process of removing the tree, Lee said.

There have been multiple collisions that led to property damage in the area within the hour of when the tree went down, according to Lee. No injuries were reported in any of the crashes.

There is no estimated time for when the roadway will be cleared, according to the CHP.

--Bay City News