Gridlock. It is the one thing everyone living in Los Angeles or Long Beach absolutely loathes, yet we deal with it every single day like it’s some kind of ritual. But when you hear about a 710 fwy accident today, you know it’s not just your standard "stop and go" Friday morning crawl. It's different. The Long Beach Freeway is a beast of its own, acting as the primary artery for the massive amounts of cargo coming out of the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. When a truck flips or a multi-car pileup happens near the Alondra Boulevard exit or the 405 interchange, the entire South Bay basically stops breathing.
Traffic stopped.
You’re sitting there, looking at your GPS as the arrival time slowly ticks upward—ten minutes, twenty minutes, an hour—and you realize you’re going to be very, very late. People often underestimate the 710. They think it’s just another freeway, but with the heavy concentration of "big rigs" and the tight, aging infrastructure of the northern sections, a single mistake by one driver can ripple across the entire county. Honestly, it’s a miracle it doesn't happen more often given the sheer volume of diesel-chugging semi-trucks sharing lanes with tiny Corollas.
What usually happens during a 710 fwy accident today
Most of the time, the chaos starts with a lane closure. If the California Highway Patrol (CHP) has to shut down two lanes of the southbound 710 near the 105, you might as well turn off your engine. Today’s incident involved several vehicles, and while emergency crews are fast, they aren't magic. They have to secure the scene, check for injuries, and sometimes wait for those specialized heavy-duty tow trucks that can actually move a 40-ton trailer.
Why does it take so long? Well, hazardous material spills are a huge factor on this specific route. If a truck leaks fuel or whatever it's hauling—be it chemicals, produce, or retail goods—the Fire Department has to come in and scrub the asphalt. You can't just drive over a pool of diesel; it’s like ice.
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The geography of the 710 makes everything worse. Because it’s carved through dense industrial and residential zones, there aren't always great "escape routes." If you get stuck between Atlantic and Firestone, you’re basically in a concrete canyon. You’ve probably seen people trying to back up on the on-ramps. Don't be that person. It's dangerous and usually just leads to more 911 calls.
The ripple effect on local streets
When the freeway dies, the surface streets start to bleed. Drivers get desperate. They jump off at Florence or Imperial Highway, thinking they’ve found a "secret" shortcut. Guess what? Everyone else has the same Waze or Google Maps alert. Suddenly, Garfield Avenue and Atlantic Boulevard are packed bumper-to-bumper with people who have no idea where they’re going.
This creates a secondary safety issue. Residents in Bell, Commerce, and South Gate suddenly have heavy semi-trucks rumbling through neighborhood streets not designed for that kind of weight. It’s a mess.
Staying safe when the 710 goes sideways
Look, the 710 is notorious for a reason. It’s narrow in spots. It has high walls. It’s full of tired truckers and rushed commuters. If you find yourself approaching a 710 fwy accident today, the first thing you need to do is increase your following distance. People tend to "rubberneck"—they slow down to look at the flashing lights—which causes "phantom traffic jams" on the opposite side of the freeway. It’s annoying and it causes more accidents.
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If you’re stuck in the middle of it:
- Keep your windows up if there’s a spill (fumes are no joke).
- Stay in your car unless there’s an immediate fire risk.
- Check the CHP Traffic Incident Information Page for real-time CAD updates.
Usually, the CHP logs will tell you exactly what’s happening—whether it’s a "SIGAlert," which means a delay of 30 minutes or more, or a simple "property damage" collision. Knowing the difference helps you decide if you should wait it out or find a place to grab coffee and let the mess clear.
Understanding the SIGAlert
A SIGAlert isn't just a fancy word. It’s an official notification named after Loyd Sigmon. It means the lanes are blocked for a significant amount of time. If you see this on the signs above the freeway, believe it. They don't issue those for small fender benders. Today's mess qualifies because of the blockage near the transition ramps.
Transition ramps are the absolute worst place for an accident. If you wreck where the 710 hits the 91 or the 405, you aren't just blocking one freeway; you’re blocking two. The "interchange physics" of Los Angeles are fragile. One stalled car on a flyover ramp can back up traffic for five miles in three different directions.
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Moving forward and avoiding the crunch
Is there a way to avoid the 710? Sorta. But not really. The 605 is the usual alternative, but it’s further east and usually just as crowded. The 110 to the west is an option, but it has those tight, 1940s-style curves and its own set of problems.
The best thing you can do is be proactive. Before you even put your car in reverse in the morning, check the Caltrans QuickMap. It’s more accurate than most third-party apps because it uses the actual sensors embedded in the pavement. If the line is dark red or black, stay home for another twenty minutes or take the Metro A Line (formerly the Blue Line) if you can. It runs almost parallel to the 710 for a good stretch and, honestly, it’s a lot less stressful than dodging containers on the freeway.
What to do if you were involved in the 710 fwy accident today
First off, I hope you’re okay. Cars can be replaced; people can't. If you were part of the pileup, make sure you get a copy of the police report number. You’ll need this for insurance, especially since truck accidents involve much more complex liability than standard passenger car crashes. Trucking companies have massive legal teams, so you need your documentation to be airtight.
Take photos of everything—the skid marks, the weather conditions, the signage. The 710 is known for having some areas with poor lighting and faded lane markings. These details matter.
Actionable steps for your commute
- Check the CHP CAD: Go to the official California Highway Patrol dispatch site. Select "Los Angeles" and look for the 710 entries. It’ll give you the raw data.
- Set up alerts: Use an app that pushes notifications for your specific route before you leave the house.
- Keep an emergency kit: Because the 710 can trap you for hours, have water, a portable phone charger, and maybe a snack in your glove box.
- Watch the trucks: Give semis space. Their blind spots (the "No Zones") are huge. If you can't see their mirrors, they definitely can't see you.
The 710 fwy accident today is a reminder that our infrastructure is stretched thin. We rely on this road for almost everything we buy, but it’s a high-stakes environment for a daily commute. Drive safe, be patient, and maybe take a different route tomorrow. It’s just not worth the stress.