Oil Slick Closes 101 After Multiple Spinout Crashes

UPDATED AT 2:25 P.M. A large slick caused by something slippery clogged traffic in both directions of the Ventura (101) Freeway in the San Fernando Valley today.

Hundred of cars were stuck, and several spun out and crashed, on the 101 west of the San Diego (405) Freeway. Some drivers in the backup turned around into incoming traffic, towards onramps, to get off the freeway, CHP officers said.

Crash re[ports began to come in at 8:08 a.m., occurring on transition lanes from the northbound San Diego (405) Freeway, and the two lanes closest to the median on both sides of the 101, according to the California Highway Patrol.

A CHP officer told radio station KNX that the problem may have been a substance applied to the freeway by Caltrans maintenance workers. The northbound 405 had been scheduled to close at the 101 at midnight this morning, for bridge work on the 101 above it.

Caltrans officials were not available for comment.

The CHP reported that the slick caused traffic crashes in the number one and two lanes of both sides of the freeway. No injuries were reported, said CHP Officer Tony Polizzi.

According to the CHP, Caltrans applied some absorbent at 9:41 a.m. in an effort to clean up the oil slick. All lanes were reported to have been reopened by noon.

• -City News Service