For the second time in a week, the 71 Freeway in Pomona was closed after large potholes created by recent rain damaged multiple vehicles.
The freeway was closed in both directions overnight Tuesday near the Holt Avenue exit, according to the California Highway Patrol. It was the same spot on the freeway where about 30 vehicles had flat tires and damaged tires after hitting potholes last week.
The CHP blocked the freeway around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday after the first reports of damage, according to Officer Joseph Davila.
“They shut it down early enough to mitigate the problem,” he said.
About five vehicles were reportedly damaged, he said, although several drivers appeared to have driven onto the shoulder after realizing the road was damaged.
The closure affected morning commuters as they were diverted from the freeway at Holt Avenue while Caltrans crews worked to repair the road.
At 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, a southbound lane of the freeway reopened, Dávila said. Northbound traffic is expected to be diverted from Holt Avenue through the afternoon.
The stretch of the 71 Freeway near Holt Avenue has been badly affected by storms in Southern California, but authorities know the freeway needs more extensive repairs, Dávila said.
“The road needs a full and more extensive repair,” he said, “but because of the rain we haven’t been able to get it done.”
